SLI Graphics

[Hallsworth]

Hi there, I'm not too clued up on SLI graphics and so was wondering if anyone might be able to offer some clarification. I'm interested in buying a second graphics card to fix my computer up with SLI capability, but on the nVidia website it says the graphics cards have to be identical. I currently have an NVIDIA® GeForce™ 6800 Ultra PCI-E 256MB (as in, actually manufactured by nVidia) but can I use a GeForce 6800 thats been manufactured by someone entirely different. Probably a ridiculous question but what the heck...

Thanks anyway

Rich

 

[j.venning]

Yes, you can use a graphics card manufactured by another brand, even if the other card has higher/lower memory. The cards have to have the same GPU though.

 

[freestyler105]

Yeah, you can, but make sure your motherboard supports SLI (it needs to have 2 PCI express slots). Really though, there's no point in SLI for those cards, the performance gain is not worth it. If I were you, I'd sell your current card and get one of these, they're only $130, and the performance difference is going to be minimal:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130062

This version is slightly faster, and $10 more, but there's a $50 mail in rebate which actually makes it only $90.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814143049

 

[superman22x]

Yeah but newegg never gives the rebates, lol. I've waited like 4 months for mine on my ECS mobo. I've givin up hope now though, lol.