nvidia GeForce 7800GTX and Sli question...

Question

Hi, I will be getting an xps 600 with pentium 4 650 HT (3.4ghz). No dual core, just P4 HT. I am going to get it with one nvidia 7800GTX to start. In the future, will I be able to add another video card (and run dual cards). Does the motherboard that comes with this computer allow for the SLi, or is it just the higher up ones for the xps 600 that have sli compatibility. Also, will the dual card I get in the future have to be the exact same card? could I get a BFG geforce 7800GTX instead?   Is it hard to add another video card to this setup? Will I just be able to plug it in and away I go? Will I need to buy anything else, besides the card? Thanks.

Phil1234 · Answer

TankMaster, yes you will be able to add another 7800GTX anytime down the road. You will only have to make sure you get the SLI bridge from DELL or another 3rd party supplier. The motherboard in the XPS600 is an SLI X16 board.

As long as you are using the Nforce 80 series of video card drivers you can mix and match 7800GTX cards. You can read it here directly from Nvidia http://www.slizone.com/object/slizone2_rel80.html

The XPS600 you are getting is just like mine, same CPU and 1 GTX7800. The second power cord for another video card is there just tucked away neatly. Enjoy your new XPS when it arrives.

Phil.

@TankMasterFlex wrote:

Hi, I will be getting an xps 600 with pentium 4 650 HT (3.4ghz). No dual core, just P4 HT. I am going to get it with one nvidia 7800GTX to start. In the future, will I be able to add another video card (and run dual cards). Does the motherboard that comes with this computer allow for the SLi, or is it just the higher up ones for the xps 600 that have sli compatibility. Also, will the dual card I get in the future have to be the exact same card? could I get a BFG geforce 7800GTX instead?

Is it hard to add another video card to this setup? Will I just be able to plug it in and away I go? Will I need to buy anything else, besides the card? Thanks.

Georgia_Rebel · Answer

I would think its the same mobo......just one card installed............

TankMasterFlex · Answer

yeah, I am betting by then the price of doing it will be less, so I think I will just add a 2nd one when I actually need to. Thanks for the help.

TankMasterFlex · Answer

Thanks a lot Phil. I am not 100% sure if I will need a new computer yet...my laptop is being looked at right now...but they think the fan broke and it overheated and fried...its probably not worth fixing. How do you find your xps system? Are there games that you have played in which you havent been able to turn up the graphics to full?   once again, thanks for the response.

Phil1234 · Answer

I really like the XPS600. I currently play HL2, Quake 4, Max Payne 2 and I have the Lost Coast level too. The graphics are ultra sharp and smooth at 1280x1024 with everything set to just below the very top. I see no difference between this and completely maxed out so I don't need to over do the card when it looks just as crisp. I've thought about 2 cards as well but honestly I cannot see needing it just yet. Maybe next year some time?

Phil.

@TankMasterFlex wrote:

Thanks a lot Phil. I am not 100% sure if I will need a new computer yet...my laptop is being looked at right now...but they think the fan broke and it overheated and fried...its probably not worth fixing. How do you find your xps system? Are there games that you have played in which you havent been able to turn up the graphics to full?

once again, thanks for the response.

Georgia_Rebel · Answer

I have all my games running the max settings...and you can see my specs below......COD2 plays real sweet with all settings maxed out and all the eye candy......so yours should not have a problem

TankMasterFlex · Answer

I think I will go with the 20 inch flatpanel widescreen monitor. Is widescreen good for games, or just better for movies? What do you think?   Thanks.

wtcnbrwndo4u · Answer

The widescreen is very nice... It is great for movies AND games.

Alphamaned · Answer

so to run 2 7800gtx's all you need is the sli mother board right. 3 pieces of hardware 2 cards 1 board thats it? whats a bridge? : )

Phil1234 · Answer

A bridge is simply a method of connecting the 2 GTX7800 cards together. It's a connector.

Phil.

@Alphamaned wrote:
so to run 2 7800gtx's all you need is the sli mother board right. 3 pieces of hardware

2 cards
1 board

thats it?

whats a bridge? : )

wtcnbrwndo4u · Answer

Yeah. It's a chip that links them together...

wtcnbrwndo4u · Answer

Yeah. Some support it through software, but the Dell board uses the bridge.

Alphamaned · Answer

so along with the mother board you need to buy this 'bridge' which is actually a chip that binds them?

Phil1234 · Answer

Alphamaned, here is an image of two GTX7800 cards in the XPS 600 linked together with the SLI Bridge connector.   Phil.

Alphamaned · Answer

what a beast! thanks guys

Locked Topics – Desktops General

nvidia GeForce 7800GTX and Sli question...

Was this post helpful?