Can the i5/LGA 1156 run Xfire/SLI

[computernewbie]

Im sort of confused...can the i5 or LGA 1156 MB's run high end GPUs in Xfire/SLI? And how would a i7 860 perform with 58XX in Xfire, would it bottleneck? (Dunno if the i7 860 has hyperthreading, i just skim through the information 😛)

 

[TechnologyCoordinator]

Currently i5 motherboards have issues with scalability of GPUs. They're fine with a single GPU, but when you add in a second one you start to bottleneck, this is because the CPU has an on-die PCIe controller with 16 lanes.

I've been told (but don't have any links) that future motherboards will have additional PCIe lanes coming off the NB, which of course will be subject to more latency than the onboard PCIe lanes.

If you're doing a multi GPU setup right now and don't want to break the bank I would recommend a high-end Phenom II X4, or if you really want to cheap out a high-end X3, but you might regret that later if games adopt quad-core support widely.

 

[gidgiddonihah]

So would you have ANY performance gain if you use the i5 and went to SLI? Or would you just be better off with one?

The does the i7 proc that uses the 1156 socket (Cant remember which one) have the same problem?

I want the i5 since it kills the Phenom II x4 (Was my original pick) in tests, but i dont want to wait until they come out with those better mobos, so what would you do .

 

[gidgiddonihah]

oops didnt see the date ...

 

[andy5174]

The difference between 16x and 8x is unnoticeable!

and so the difference between LGA1366 and LGA1156 in 2 or 3-way CF is also insignificant! (merely 2~3 fps less with P55)

 

[andy5174]

oops didnt see the date ...

+1 :lol:

 

[gidgiddonihah]

Lol so you'd still get the i5 and when i had enough money get the second GPU?

 

[wyspyr]

I'd go with the i5 (although I have and love the i7 860 😉 and throw in an old graphics card until nVidia releases their new GPU's. I honestly might still go ATI but I feel its worth the month or so wait to find out which will suit my, and perhaps your, needs better, IMO. Also, yes the 860 has hyperthreading. As well as turbo boost. I've noticed a sizable difference between this chip and my previous AMD chips. 0-60 they are neck and neck. 80-120 its all about the 860. If you plan on overclocking and are looking for strictly gaming, the i5 is probably a better choice for you. I'm into photo editing...and taking over the world

 

[gidgiddonihah]

lol