SLI questions

[superman22x]

Hi, I am getting a 7600GT, and in a year or so might get a second one, and run it in SLI, so I am trying to find a card, is doing this even a good idea, because I dont want to spend too much on a card now and dont want to spend to much on one later. I looked on ebay and newegg, ebay is cheaper, I found a card with the same product code on both sites, but the one on newegg has 1 VGA out and 1 DVI out, but the one on ebay has 2 DVIs out, will these cards still work in SLI, or is something else different too?

 

[Ð88]

As long as both cards are PCIe (obviously) and both the same model number such as both 7600GT's (in your case) or say 2 7950GTX's they will work fine. You can mix vendors (ex. XFX and eVGA will work together) but just don't mix the GPU's (ex. a 7600GT and a 6800GT WILL NOT work together). Make sure the 7600 series you are looking are either both 7600GT's or both 7600GS's. If one is a GT and one is a GS then they will not be compatible together.

 

[Celegorm]

also make sure when you upgrade to an SLI configuration taht you meet the power supply requirements. I belive the average needed for SLI is 500w. someone can correct me if i'm wrong.

 

[superman22x]

Ok, I have 550W, but any 7600GT can work with any other 7600GT? I have teh 570 Split-A mobo, if that matters. I didn't know they could be different brands too, Because some have different clock speeds as well.

 

[mammikoura]

Ok, I have 550W, but any 7600GT can work with any other 7600GT? I have teh 570 Split-A mobo, if that matters. I didn't know they could be different brands too, Because some have different clock speeds as well.

yes different brands work together. I believe that there was a driver update that allowed this.

 

[Ð88]

yes different brands work together. I believe that there was a driver update that allowed this.

correct, all newer drivers support this feature (im not sure which driver release was the first but as long as you have a current one then there won't be any problems).

 

[superman22x]

ok, good, so I can get one now, and get a second 7600GT, later, and it can be any 7600GT. Thanks.

 

[prosser13]

Just note that the card running the slowest will set the clockspeed - so theres no point having one super overclocked card and one normal card.

 

[superman22x]

OK, and when I get these cards I can overclock them too correct?

 

[mammikoura]

OK, and when I get these cards I can overclock them too correct?

sure, why not. The temps might get a little higher (if u are on air cooling) since both of the vid cards will put out alot of heat, causing the air temperature to rise. But that shouldn't have a big effect, and it's nothing an extra fan couldn't fix.