GPU / SLI general question

LoCi-X · 07-23-2008, 05:52 PM

I would like to build a gaming computer but need some basic information. If you want to get a motherboard with an integrated GPU, do you have to get an AMD CPU? Are there many companies that sell motherboards with GPU's? As for SLI, you have to have a SLI-ready motherboard, do both of your graphics cards have to be the same? Is there anything else that I should know about SLI? And PCI express - what is the difference between x16 and x1? Is x16 just faster?

tknick90 · 07-23-2008, 05:57 PM

Whether the motherboard is Intel or AMD has nothing to do with it having an intergrated graphics card. Some mobos have them and some don't. And yes with SLI the cards have to be the same.

jdbennet · 07-31-2008, 01:52 PM

and pci x1 is physically a smaller slot, meant for netwoerk cards, raid cards etc....
pci x16 is much longer and for gfx cards etc....

StrangleHold · 07-31-2008, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoCi-X

I would like to build a gaming computer but need some basic information. If you want to get a motherboard with an integrated GPU, do you have to get an AMD CPU? Are there many companies that sell motherboards with GPU's? As for SLI, you have to have a SLI-ready motherboard, do both of your graphics cards have to be the same? Is there anything else that I should know about SLI? And PCI express - what is the difference between x16 and x1? Is x16 just faster?

1. No you dont need a AMD processor. Its the chipset on the board not the CPU. Intel - Nvidia - ATI/AMD - SIS - VIA - all make onboard video chips

2.Yes you have to have a SLI board to run SLI.

3. Yes they need to be the same GPU with SLI.

4.

JLV2k5 · 07-31-2008, 03:28 PM

It is great for you to have an interest in building your own computer. You really should do a lot of research first, as you can see you have many questions and you will only have more to come. This forum is a great place to learn, many people do that here (I did/do). There are informative posts on just about every area of computers so check those out and read up on as much stuff online as you can. Good luck.

newguy5 · 07-31-2008, 03:56 PM

you also can get 2 ATI cards and run crossfire, which is the same thing as sli, just for ATI cards instead of geforce cards. right now you're going to get more for your money if you buy 2 ATI cards and run crossfire.

g25racer · 07-31-2008, 08:52 PM

Just remember that One higher end card is ALWAYS better than two lower end cards.

07-23-2008, 05:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
LoCi-X New Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 5	GPU / SLI general question I would like to build a gaming computer but need some basic information. If you want to get a motherboard with an integrated GPU, do you have to get an AMD CPU? Are there many companies that sell motherboards with GPU's? As for SLI, you have to have a SLI-ready motherboard, do both of your graphics cards have to be the same? Is there anything else that I should know about SLI? And PCI express - what is the difference between x16 and x1? Is x16 just faster? Last edited by LoCi-X; 07-23-2008 at 05:56 PM.

07-23-2008, 05:57 PM	#2 (permalink)
tknick90 Diamond Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Connecticut, USA Age: 18 Posts: 1,585	Whether the motherboard is Intel or AMD has nothing to do with it having an intergrated graphics card. Some mobos have them and some don't. And yes with SLI the cards have to be the same. __________________ MOBO: ASUS P5N-D LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 750i SLI CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6700 Kentsfield 2.66 GHz (@3.0 GHz) GFX CARD: ZOTAC GeForce 9800 GTX AMP! Edition RAM: CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDRII 800 MHz (@900 MHz) HDD: Western Digital 500GB, 7200 RPM PSU: OCZ StealthXStream 600w CASE: Antec 900

07-31-2008, 03:28 PM	#5 (permalink)
JLV2k5 Diamond Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: University of Delaware Age: 21 Posts: 1,315	It is great for you to have an interest in building your own computer. You really should do a lot of research first, as you can see you have many questions and you will only have more to come. This forum is a great place to learn, many people do that here (I did/do). There are informative posts on just about every area of computers so check those out and read up on as much stuff online as you can. Good luck. __________________ Can't wait to finish college and build my system.

07-31-2008, 03:56 PM	#6 (permalink)
newguy5 Diamond Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Dallas, Tx Age: 25 Posts: 1,579	you also can get 2 ATI cards and run crossfire, which is the same thing as sli, just for ATI cards instead of geforce cards. right now you're going to get more for your money if you buy 2 ATI cards and run crossfire. __________________ C2D E6750 Arctic Freezer 7 Pro 2GB G.Skill RAM PC2-6400 Gigabyte P35-DS3L Sapphire Radeon 3850 250GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 Thermaltake TR2 500W 22" Westinghouse (widescreen) Pics

07-31-2008, 08:52 PM	#7 (permalink)
g25racer Diamond Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Hamilton, MI Posts: 3,922	Just remember that One higher end card is ALWAYS better than two lower end cards. __________________ CPU - AMD Athlon 64x2 5200+ @ 2.6ghz Ram - 2GB Stock clock HD - 320gb seagate & Samsung 750gb 32mb cache GPU - XFX 8600GT XXX Zalman @ 680 or 700mhz PSU - Ultra X-finity 600watt OS - Vista Home Premium(32) & Ubuntu (8.04) Ultimate Ed Audio - JVC 460watts Control - Logitech G25 Wheel & Logitech Rumblepad 2 Games - GTR2 and LFS -- Race Sim's for Life --

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