Quad-SLI: Technical prowess, but ineffiecent?

[N88TR]

I saw an 9800 X2 in an Quad-SLI setup. Is it just me, or is Quad-SLI extreme overkill as well as inefficient?

Don't we have technology, or I assume the companies are working on it, to have the standard 1 [or 2 for SLI] video cards that we are all used to?

Is the Quad-SLI a preview or is this really want the graphic cards companies expect us to buy? What about the power and heat output issues? I assume they're at least substantial.

[>Omen<]

It was heat and driver issues that crippled Nvidia's first quad SLI attempt with the 7950 GX2s. I can't help but think they are holding off releasing cards like the 9800GTX just to get people to buy SLI gear for games like Crysis. Whatever happened to beauty in simplicity and efficiency? This time around I think they're going to have to prove consistent performance increases and quad SLI driver functionality, not to mention reasonable heat levels, before they sell any of these 9800 GX2s.

[n0e]

Good luck with driver support as well. NVIDIA hasn't released drivers that are even close to being stable in most environments yet.

[arcadeplayer987]

Originally Posted by n0e

Good luck with driver support as well. NVIDIA hasn't released drivers that are even close to being stable in most environments yet.

In the other part, ATI HD3870X2 crosssfire is working fine

[UNDIESRULES]

Originally Posted by >Omen<

It was heat and driver issues that crippled Nvidia's first quad SLI attempt with the 7950 GX2s.

I think the 7950 GX2 was reasonably successful, the drivers for SLI have never been brilliant but i dont think heat was an issue. They underclocked the two cores to reduce heat output , i even read a review which said that both GPU's were mobile variants which is why it didnt run hot.

[The#1Spot]

Its quite sad really that sli still utilize near 90% of the 2nd card considering all the years its been out. I think having 4 gpus in 1 mobo will make the cards collectively not even use 50% potential after the 3rd gpu.

[>Omen<]

Originally Posted by UNDIESRULES

...i dont think heat was an issue. They underclocked the two cores to reduce heat output , i even read a review which said that both GPU's were mobile variants which is why it didnt run hot.

Better to go by what many whom owned them said. There were a lot of complaints about one of the GPUs running considerably hotter than the other due to being trapped between the cards. You can also tell that they're using a more beefed up cooler on the 9800 GX2 even though it uses a smaller die GPU that has better heat properties. And that's not likely just because the 9800 GX2 is faster, it's because the 7950 GX2s did in fact run rather hot.

[RadioShackRob]

Originally Posted by n88tr

I saw an 9800 X2 in an Quad-SLI setup. Is it just me, or is Quad-SLI extreme overkill as well as inefficient?

Don't we have technology, or I assume the companies are working on it, to have the standard 1 [or 2 for SLI] video cards that we are all used to?

Is the Quad-SLI a preview or is this really want the graphic cards companies expect us to buy? What about the power and heat output issues? I assume they're at least substantial.

Well First off, I'm going to start by addressing the thread creaters specific topic.
Like everyone else is talking about, the 7950GX2 was the first quad SLi platform, and although it ran rather hot, it STILL was the fastest thing at its time. It could run games in insanely high resolutions at terrific frame rates. And yes, nVIDIA does expect you to buy it if you are an enthusiast.

We are at a time of monopolies. I know you AMD/ATi fanboys don't like to admit it, but yes, Intel and nVIDIA have gained a lot of ground over their competitors, and are taking advantage of it. We are seeing delay after delay by intel and nVIDIA, why? Because the competition is giving them no reason to release newer hardware when they can gain bigger profits by putting it off and releaseing the "new" old hardware. The 9800GX2 is just two 8800GTS Revisions slapped together. Its the g92 chip, and it really should be called the 8800GX2.

Don't go for it, wait, the 9800 GTX will be released, and be a substantially better value, although not revolutionary. The upcomming 9 series is going to be just like the 7 series, last generation architecture, revamped, and more powerful.

If you REALLY want to wait for something revolutionary, wait til the generation after the 9 series, whatever they may call it. Geforce 10 would seem a bit odd.... Can anyone imagine saying GeForce 18000 GTX? HAHA!

[UNDIESRULES]

Originally Posted by >Omen<

Better to go by what many whom owned them said. There were a lot of complaints about one of the GPUs running considerably hotter than the other due to being trapped between the cards.

I completely understand what you are saying but despite the fact there were 2 gpus, i never once read anywhere in any magazine or anything that the heat was a problem. The nearest i ever read was that it was a bit noisy cos it had more fans.

[>Omen<]

Magazines and review sites don't review them like an owner would after months of use.

[RadioShackRob]

Hmm...after my last post I was doing some speculating on what they could replace their naming scheme with... ReForce? LOL! IT WOULD BE FUNNY! I could see it now...the advertisements!

RenForce your computer with ReForce and nForce products by nVIDIA NOW!

HAHA! Of course this is just me goofing off....but what the hell... I'm bored!

[N88TR]

Maybe I wasn't clear, by Quad-SLI, I meant 4 video cards running in tandem. The 7950GX2 everyone is talking about is just 2 videocards sandwiched together into one....

Thanks, Omen, you seem to have stayed on topic though.

[Videoslave]

Originally Posted by >Omen<

Magazines and review sites don't review them like an owner would after months of use.

Well there are some owners who do a good job on reviewing video cards i've seen on youtube.

[RadioShackRob]

Originally Posted by n88tr

Maybe I wasn't clear, by Quad-SLI, I meant 4 video cards running in tandem. The 7950GX2 everyone is talking about is just 2 videocards sandwiched together into one....

Thanks, Omen, you seem to have stayed on topic though.

Well thats exactly what the 9800GX2 will be. And yes, it is running in tandem even though it is only two slots. They still have SLi bridges and render the same way a machine with 4 cards in 4 slots would run. I highly doubt that it will ever come to 4 running in four slots, because of the space on one board it would require, not to mention power consumption....

[Master Chief 14]

Whatever happened to the idea of making things smaller and powerful? It would be like having a modern day machine the size of your room. four cards are wayyy too much.