Author: tonycarr

Great article , was glad to read it , dual video cards , wow .
I think my next upgrade will be the NF4 series now .
Author: Sabrewings

I know my next upgrade will be NF4, but I don't know about the SLI. The part about only using half the pipelines on each card distresses me...
Author: snap355

I know my next upgrade will be NF4, but I don't know about the SLI. The part about only using half the pipelines on each card distresses me...


please edumacate me on the pipelines if you can. Does it means that card won't be fully utilized on its potential and therefore wasted space?
Author: Sabrewings

A processor (whether it be graphical or primary) uses pipelines. These are "tunnels" if you will. They're pretty much a processor on their own and operate simlutaneously with the rest. 6800GTs and Ultras have 16 pixel pipelines. This means that (in theory) they can draw 16 pixels for every clock cycle because you have 16 pipelines running along side each other.

Now, in full theory, SLI should produce 32 pixels per clock with 32 total pipelines between the two cards. Nvidia is saying that they shut down half the pipelines on each card bringing it back down to a total of 16. Now, it is indeed faster than a single card. I think a single GT will benchmark between 11k and 12k on 3dMark03 (at 1024x768x32). Dual cards benchmarked about the same at 1600x1200x32. So, there is a significant performance increase, but I don't see how running 16 total pipes beats 32. In that type of setup, half of your two cards' cores are sitting there dormant.

Sounds wasteful to me.
Author: MoboCop

A processor (whether it be graphical or primary) uses pipelines. These are "tunnels" if you will. They're pretty much a processor on their own and operate simlutaneously with the rest. 6800GTs and Ultras have 16 pixel pipelines. This means that (in theory) they can draw 16 pixels for every clock cycle because you have 16 pipelines running along side each other.

Now, in full theory, SLI should produce 32 pixels per clock with 32 total pipelines between the two cards. Nvidia is saying that they shut down half the pipelines on each card bringing it back down to a total of 16. Now, it is indeed faster than a single card. I think a single GT will benchmark between 11k and 12k on 3dMark03 (at 1024x768x32). Dual cards benchmarked about the same at 1600x1200x32. So, there is a significant performance increase, but I don't see how running 16 total pipes beats 32. In that type of setup, half of your two cards' cores are sitting there dormant.

Sounds wasteful to me.


Well if it performs better who cares about the waste. Mine goes up to 11! 8O
Author: Sabrewings

I see your point, Mobocop, but I still think this isn't information they should let out.

I was perfectly willing to spend that kind of money on two cards for this. Now, knowing that half of the cards won't be used, I don't think I can shell out nearly $800 for a couple of video cards. The price/performance just doesn't seem to be there anymore... :?

I wonder if this will affect others too...

If they could give me a solid explanation, I might be inclined to reconsider. :idea:
Author: kjartan

Is this the answer for running Doom 3 to it's full potential? I sure as shit hope so!

--Matthew
Author: Anonymous

Is this the answer for running Doom 3 to it's full potential? I sure as $%^!@# hope so!

--Matthew


If you want "perfection" at Ultra settings, the recommendation is to use a card with 512MB as well as all the pipeline technology.
Author: kjartan

Then what 512 MB cards are available now?

--Matthew
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