Should I replace my graphics card?

[agarrity]

Hello all,
I have recently learnt that I cannot use the two AMD cards I have installed at the same time. Thanks goku1234567890.

I have recently received two Nvidia 8800 GTXs and I'm wondering if I should mount them instead of my Radeon 7770Ghz.

I have an AMD processor and a Crossfire Motherboard but I have been told that mounting these two cards would be better. I'd really just like a bit of community input because after my research, I've found they are better combined.

Any input is helpful and valued.

Thanks.


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| Computer Specifications |
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Spoiler

CPU = AMD Phenom II X4 850 95W
Motherboard = ASRock 990FX Extreme 3
RAM = 12gb DDR3 (3x4gb)
PSU = XFX 850W Pro
Graphics = Sapphire 7770ghz edition
HDD = WD Caviar Green 1TB
Disk Drive = Samsung SH-224DB
Case = CiT Vantage Gaming Case

 

[clutchc]

I would not have expected 2 x 8800GTX cards to outperform an HD 7770. Comparable maybe, but not outperform. The latter is newer, better technology, runs much cooler, uses far less power, and doesn't suffer from possible Micro-Stutter common with older SLI rigs. But if you prefer the dual 'oldies' over the HD 7770, then that would be the way to go. You have the PSU for both cards. How much memory does the 8800GTX have?

Btw, if this is the board you have: http://www.asrock.com/mb/AMD/990FX%20Extreme9/
...it does both CF and SLI. What Nvidia cards were you trying to run in SLI?

 

[agarrity]

I would not have expected 2 x 8800GTX cards to outperform an HD 7770. Comparable maybe, but not outperform. The latter is newer, better technology, runs much cooler, uses far less power, and doesn't suffer from possible Micro-Stutter common with older SLI rigs. But if you prefer the dual 'oldies' over the HD 7770, then that would be the way to go. You have the PSU for both cards. How much memory does the 8800GTX have?

Btw, if this is the board you have: http://www.asrock.com/mb/AMD/990FX%20Extreme9/
...it does both CF and SLI. What Nvidia cards were you trying to run in SLI?

I've just checked the board, it's actually the extreme3, not the extreme9, which still does support up to 4-way SLI. Both cards have 756mb of Memory, meaning combined they have 1512Mb of Memory. Neither are overclocked and still have the core clock speed of 576MHz.

Sorry about a late reply, I felt I had to do a bit of research beforehand.

 

[clutchc]

My bad. I had the extreme 3 in mind, but somehow ended up on the page for the extreme 9. You are correct; SLI only.

Unfortunately you cannot add each card's VRAM to double the total. SLI doesn't work that way. Here is the explanation straight from Nvidia:
(scroll down to "A note on GPU Memory in SLI")
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=5&ved=0CE8QFjAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdeveloper.download.nvidia.com%2Fwhitepapers%2F2011%2FSLI_Best_Practices_2011_Feb.pdf&ei=hzk3U7SRB4ThsASKhIDYBQ&usg=AFQjCNEtciny5HzPocHC2hkmwRRDlaNcvg&bvm=bv.63808443,d.cWc

 

[agarrity]

In the end, it turned out that if I want to mount them, I'll have to buy another case. It's not that the case is too small but that the cards are. Thanks anyway for the information on Nvidia and SLI as I have a feeling it will turn out to be quite useful. Thanks, Alex

 

[cst1992]

What do you mean the cards are too small? Small cards is only a good thing.

 

[clutchc]

In the end, it turned out that if I want to mount them, I'll have to buy another case. It's not that the case is too small but that the cards are. Thanks anyway for the information on Nvidia and SLI as I have a feeling it will turn out to be quite useful. Thanks, Alex

The cards are too small??

 

[cst1992]

They're probably low-profile cards, you could buy brackets for them to put in a standard case.
A low profile card (and an alternative standard bracket) looks like this:
http://assets.vr-zone.net/16883/182b.jpg

 

[clutchc]

They're probably low-profile cards, you could buy brackets for them to put in a standard case.
A low profile card (and an alternative standard bracket) looks like this:
http://assets.vr-zone.net/16883/182b.jpg

I don't think anyone makes a L-P HD 7770. I sure haven't seen one. And definitely no L-P 8800 GTX!

 

[cst1992]

So what do you think? There's no other possibility.

 

[clutchc]

So what do you think? There's no other possibility.

? I'm waiting for the OP to answer our query.