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8800 Gt Card in SLI

SamMc247SamMc247 Member Posts: 49
Is the XfX 8800 GT card compatible in SLI mode with the XfX 8800 Gt Alpha Dog card?

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Played:Guild Wars, Dungeon Runners, WoW, WC3, Starcraft, RuneScape, Wurm.
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Comments

  • CyberWizCyberWiz Member UncommonPosts: 914


    Originally posted by SamMc247
    Is the XfX 8800 GT card compatible in SLI mode with the XfX 8800 Gt Alpha Dog card?

    Well they have the same chips, the only diffence is that the 8800 GT Alpha Dog is overclocked and the standard 8800 GT is not.

    Normally if you mix frequencies, they both run at the lowest speed ( the speed of the 8800GT ).

    There have been reports where the slower cards get overclocked to the higher speed.

    Even if the slower 8800GT gets overclocked to Alpha Dog level, you will most likely have a stable system ( the Alpha Dog OC is not THAT big ), however it could be you get artifacts ( strange glitches in your graphics )

    Now this can be fixed, if you overclock the standard 8800 GT and if needed underclock the ALpha Dog, until the frequencies of both cards match eachother.

    You should overclock and/or underclock with Rivatuner.

    When both cards are on the same speed, you can enable SLI.

    Following is optional :

    Then you could download the latest bios from the XFX 8800GT from http://www.mvktech.net or http://www.techpowerup.com/

    Then use Nibitor to edit your best stable overclock into the bios, then use nvflash to flash the adjusted bios into both the cards.

    You now have basically 2 of the same cards, and dont need to worry about software :p

    Carefull tho, this will void your warranty ( keep the original bios so you can reflash the card in case of problems )

    Lastly you should do some more research on all of this stuff, so you know what you are doing :p

    p.s. you can scan for artifacts with Ati Tool


    Greetz

    If you are interested in subscription or PCU numbers for MMORPG's, check out my site :
    http://mmodata.blogspot.be/
    Favorite MMORPG's : DAoC pre ToA-NF, SWG Pre CU-NGE, EVE Online

  • SamMc247SamMc247 Member Posts: 49

    So basically you are saying that the alpha dog is performing at a higher rate than the other card and to SLI them they have to be at the same rate?

    BTW which of these two cards would you recommend me getting?

    Currently Playing: Guild Wars.
    Played:Guild Wars, Dungeon Runners, WoW, WC3, Starcraft, RuneScape, Wurm.
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  • britzbanbritzban Member UncommonPosts: 260

    AS long as the chipset is the same you are technically ok.  It does not even matter if one card was 256 and one was 512 for example.  As always though, putting together two different manufactureres can always run the possibility of problems. It happens with SLI and it happens with RAM. I have seen it many times.  I always try to match up identical to save headaches.

  • CyberWizCyberWiz Member UncommonPosts: 914


    Originally posted by SamMc247
    So basically you are saying that the alpha dog is performing at a higher rate than the other card and to SLI them they have to be at the same rate?
    BTW which of these two cards would you recommend me getting?

    That is correct, and if you do not do it manually you are not sure what will happen.

    Do you already own one of these cards?

    If not I would prefer the 8800GTS 512MB they have alot better cooling, the 8800GT blows the hot air into your case, which can heat up the rest of your system, plus the 8800GTS 512MB performs better and is normally only slightly more expensive.

    I also like it better for SLI, cause 2 x 8800GT really heat up your system :p

    Furthermore I would not buy a factory overclocked version, ( like the alpha dog ) I prefer to do it myself. But it is also a question about price and availability, if it is only slightly more expensive then a factory overclocked card may be a better buy.

    Another thing to keep in mind is that you need an SLI ready motherboard if you want to run SLI.

    If you can give me some prices from shops you would buy, I could give you a better answer.

    Also tell me what cards you currently have or dont have, and what motherboard you want to use.

    Greetz

    If you are interested in subscription or PCU numbers for MMORPG's, check out my site :
    http://mmodata.blogspot.be/
    Favorite MMORPG's : DAoC pre ToA-NF, SWG Pre CU-NGE, EVE Online

  • CyberWizCyberWiz Member UncommonPosts: 914

    I checked Newegg, and if I would buy an XFX 8800 from newegg, I would go for the 8800GT, cause the price difference is quite a bit bigger then the performance gap, but it really depends where you will buy the cards and even what brand you will take.

    Good nvidia chip brands that I have experience with are : ASUS, XFX, EVGA, Gainward and Point of View.

    Also dont forget about ATI, they are closing the gap :p

    Edit : Did some more research and the 8800GT 512MB is the best bang for the buck. I suggest you find the cheapest one from one of the brands I mentioned.

    However keep in mind that going SLI is not always the best price performance, especially not if you own a motherboard that is not SLI capable.


    Greetz

    If you are interested in subscription or PCU numbers for MMORPG's, check out my site :
    http://mmodata.blogspot.be/
    Favorite MMORPG's : DAoC pre ToA-NF, SWG Pre CU-NGE, EVE Online

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