what is graphics in SLI?

[donkey20048]

hi looking at spec for a pc and it offers 2x watercooled nvidea gtx 580 in SLI - if i only have 1 tv/monitor will i benefit from SLI and also what is SLI
also should i get 2x GTX 680 if i only using 1 tv will i get the performance of 2 graphics cards with only 1 monitor?
cheers

 

[Buzz]

Scalable Link Interface, its the connecting of two or more video cards together. If you have only one monitor you can still benefit from Sli for games as basically they act as one. But realistically SLI is used most of all for multi monitors, and/or boosting an older card rather then spending money on a more expensive GPU.

Also with SLI you would need a good power supply. You will get what ever resolution the monitor can go as most good graphics cards can handle high res. regardless of SLI or not. You might be better off posting the full specs of what you were thinking of buying and then people could comment and help you out further

 

[keynes]

I think it depends on the resolution you are playing at. For 1920 x 1080 only 1 GTX 680 should be more than enough, I will go with SLI if you either plan to have surround (3 monitors) and/or 3D gaming.

 

[donkey20048]

ok cool thanks

so would you recommend a watercooled gtx 580 or non water cooled 680? and yes would be run on 1 monitor at 1920

 

[keynes]

I have the GTX 680 non-watercooled and it runs cool and not very noisy. I'd go with the GTX 680 non watercooled which would probably be cheaper.

 

[donkey20048]

cool thanks for help 2nite

 

[dangro474]

Non water 680 all the way.

The only games that dip below 60 FPS iin 1920x1200 that i own are Crysis 2 (45+) and MEtro 2033 (40+).