9800 GX2 Quad SLI initial impressions

Discussion in 'Videocards - NVIDIA GeForce' started by WJLurve, Apr 6, 2008.

  1. WJLurve

    WJLurve Member

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    GPU:
    2 X BFG 9800 GX2 SLI
    Hi Guys

    Just though id share a few thoughts and a couple of benchmark runs for you. Well - for a start these cards are huge - they look even longer in the flesh and I only just got them in, another 5mm and it wouldve been impossible. Have only had these a few days, this is my first eve SLI setup so I thought id go for broke!
    Quad SLI was extremely easy to get going and install was a breeze, the cards do seem to be blowing some serious warm air out of the sides, though temps are about 55-60 idle and about 70-75 under load - quite a bit cooler than my old 3870X2.
    This setup definately seems to be CPU bottlenecked though - since I changed to an E8400 @ 4 Ghz from a Q6600 @ 3.6 Ghz, my framerates have gone up around 10-15 FPS average after trying 3DMark and few other games.
    Here are a couple of Crysis runs @ 1680 x 1050 for you information - this is extremely playable now at this res with everything very high, aside from a few stutters that ruin the average scores - hopefully drivers will improve these. I havent done anything to the optimize my driver settings yet so I will play around and see if I can improve these.

    1st run everything 'very high' DX10, 2nd run everything 'High' DX10.

    06/04/2008 03:16:18 - Vista
    Beginning Run #1 on Map-island, Demo-benchmark_gpu
    DX10 1680x1050, AA=No AA, Vsync=Disabled, 32 bit test, FullScreen
    Demo Loops=3, Time Of Day= 9
    Global Game Quality: VeryHigh
    ==============================================================
    TimeDemo Play Started , (Total Frames: 2000, Recorded Time: 111.86s)
    !TimeDemo Run 0 Finished.
    Play Time: 50.70s, Average FPS: 39.45
    Min FPS: 21.94 at frame 158, Max FPS: 62.99 at frame 840
    Average Tri/Sec: -14664590, Tri/Frame: -371730
    Recorded/Played Tris ratio: -2.47
    !TimeDemo Run 1 Finished.
    Play Time: 37.47s, Average FPS: 53.38
    Min FPS: 21.94 at frame 158, Max FPS: 67.61 at frame 909
    Average Tri/Sec: -19325998, Tri/Frame: -362079
    Recorded/Played Tris ratio: -2.53
    !TimeDemo Run 2 Finished.
    Play Time: 36.98s, Average FPS: 54.09
    Min FPS: 21.94 at frame 158, Max FPS: 70.13 at frame 99
    Average Tri/Sec: -19511396, Tri/Frame: -360720
    Recorded/Played Tris ratio: -2.54
    TimeDemo Play Ended, (3 Runs Performed)
    ==============================================================

    Completed All Tests

    <><><><><><><><><><><><><>>--SUMMARY--<<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

    06/04/2008 03:16:18 - Vista

    Run #1- DX10 1680x1050 AA=No AA, 32 bit test, Quality: VeryHigh ~~ Overall Average FPS: 53.735




    06/04/2008 03:20:27 - Vista
    Beginning Run #1 on Map-island, Demo-benchmark_gpu
    DX10 1680x1050, AA=No AA, Vsync=Disabled, 32 bit test, FullScreen
    Demo Loops=3, Time Of Day= 9
    Global Game Quality: High
    ==============================================================
    TimeDemo Play Started , (Total Frames: 2000, Recorded Time: 111.86s)
    !TimeDemo Run 0 Finished.
    Play Time: 41.47s, Average FPS: 48.23
    Min FPS: 11.87 at frame 146, Max FPS: 85.64 at frame 1642
    Average Tri/Sec: -33928276, Tri/Frame: -703487
    Recorded/Played Tris ratio: -1.30
    !TimeDemo Run 1 Finished.
    Play Time: 29.63s, Average FPS: 67.51
    Min FPS: 11.87 at frame 146, Max FPS: 94.43 at frame 119
    Average Tri/Sec: -47455860, Tri/Frame: -702979
    Recorded/Played Tris ratio: -1.30
    !TimeDemo Run 2 Finished.
    Play Time: 28.39s, Average FPS: 70.44
    Min FPS: 11.87 at frame 146, Max FPS: 103.30 at frame 102
    Average Tri/Sec: -49471388, Tri/Frame: -702320
    Recorded/Played Tris ratio: -1.31
    TimeDemo Play Ended, (3 Runs Performed)
    ==============================================================

    Completed All Tests

    <><><><><><><><><><><><><>>--SUMMARY--<<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

    06/04/2008 03:20:27 - Vista

    Run #1- DX10 1680x1050 AA=No AA, 32 bit test, Quality: High ~~ Overall Average FPS: 68.975



    Hope this is informative for you guys - if anyone wants me to try anything out just ask away!
     
  2. NN1T1NN

    NN1T1NN Master Guru

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    well i would love to see some pics, maybe a 3dmark06 score.
     
  3. WJLurve

    WJLurve Member

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    cool no probs - am pretty new to this board - whats the easiest way of posting pics on this forum?? My 3Dmark was about 18900 which I ran just now - it was 1900 with my Q6600 @ 3.6 but there were visably less FPS. The opening scene used to top out at 110 FPS but now its like 124-5 FPS! My old 3870X2 + 3870 used to get well over 20k but gameplay was nowhere near as fluid!
     
  4. NN1T1NN

    NN1T1NN Master Guru

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    the best way of posting pics that i have found is to go make a photobucket account or similar type webpage, then just copy the img link from that into a post here. It is pretty easy. Great 3dmark score man.
     

  5. WJLurve

    WJLurve Member

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    cheers mate, taking a couple on the phone now - will upload in a minute.
     
  6. WJLurve

    WJLurve Member

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  7. WJLurve

    WJLurve Member

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    woah im sorry these are way too big - apologies!!! EDIT - have just posted the links instead - will resize to a more web friendly resolution in future!
     
  8. WJLurve

    WJLurve Member

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  9. JoPiss

    JoPiss Master Guru

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    great, spend an extra 600 bucks to get what? 10-15 frames more? WHERE THE HELL DO I GIVE UP MY SOUL!?! It's stupid to sli these things, their already monsters, like you need anymore frames.
    If you want, dig deep into your pockets and throw your money at nvidia, but I'd much rather stay sane and go with a 9800gtx or a 3870x2.
     
  10. WJLurve

    WJLurve Member

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    I dont by any means think its worth the money, I definately wouldnt persuade anyone to shell out the extra cash for another if they already had one GX2 (a great card) - but for this build money was no object - if in time and with driver updates I dont think its worth keeping both, I can always sell it! Wish we had the step up program here in the UK though!!
     

  11. Slam

    Slam Guest

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    Hey man...don't worry about what "some" people say. If you have the money to spend, and want it, buy it! I think it's great man. Enjoy.
     
  12. flippin360

    flippin360 Member

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    I also noticed a big improvement going from 3.5Ghz Q6600 to 4-4.2Ghz E8400. I'd personally work on getting that cpu higher to maybe 4.2Ghz even if temperature going in mid 60's its alright. From the picture it looks like you're using thermalright ultra extreme heatsink I'd put another fan on it which pushes air out helped me out.
     
  13. WJLurve

    WJLurve Member

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    Cheers mate - seems to be allot of people on boards in general making slightly aggressive anti GX2 and Quad GX2 posts.......was the reaction the same when a load of people bought 2 ultras when they were released for even more than the GX2??
     
  14. dune2

    dune2 Guest

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    Yeah, the reactions back then were pretty similar. And I think from a commercial perspective th GX2 makes more sense than the Ultra did at any time.
     
  15. WJLurve

    WJLurve Member

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    Thanks mate - have tried the 'push pull' combo with the Ultra extreme and didnt notice any difference in temps at all!??

    Am having trouble getting stable over 4.1 ghz with this chip - what voltages are you using?? Dont wanna pump too much into it!!
     

  16. clintonius

    clintonius Master Guru

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    I've noticed all kinds of people talking trash about the gx2 and people who buy them. I also noticed a whole lot of the same people eating up the specs that were posted by the first person to set up a thread detailing the numbers his new gx2 pumped out. If they were really so adamantly against the gx2, I doubt they'd waste their time bashing the card and the people who purchase it. People just want to be heard, and it doesn't matter what they're heard saying.
     
  17. THEBIG360

    THEBIG360 Maha Guru

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    Hi m8 sweet setup
    Just wondering do you have a blue led on the end of your card if so is it for the audio becuase i only have one green light.
     
  18. WJLurve

    WJLurve Member

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    yeah the blue LED comes on when quad SLI is installed - it indicates the primary card in the setup as far as I know....I havent hooked up the audio cable as yet!
     
  19. Kirkyl

    Kirkyl Guest

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    Yeah sweet setup mate,nothing like the smell of new toys.
     
  20. THEBIG360

    THEBIG360 Maha Guru

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    Cheers for that m8. As for the audio my boards spdif connection has 3 prongs and the cable bfg supply has 2 any ideas cheers.
     

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