SLI Really Worth It?

[BeKure]

I am trying to figure out if picking up another GPU to run in SLI is really going to be worth my time and/or money.
While playing video games I usually run capturing software in the background. I usually switch between Fraps and Bandicam. When I start to record in game footage my FPS will usually drop down to the low 20's. When I am not recording I average 35-55 fps. My question is, if I decide to run another card in SLI will I notice FPS improvements during normal gaming sessions and/or when I'm capturing footage.
By the way I am running at 1920x1080p resolution.
Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.


CPU: AMD Phenom II X6 1100T Black Edition Thuban 3.3GHz, 3.7GHz Turbo Socket AM3
CPU Cooler: ZALMAN CNPS11X Extreme V-Shaped Dual Heatpipe Design w/120mm Long Life Bearing
GPU: EVGA GeForce GTX 550 Ti 2048 MB GDDR5
PSU: Antec High Current Gamer Series HCG-900 900W
MOBO: GIGABYTE GA-990XA-UD3 AM3+ AMD
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FANS: 140MM (x1), 120MM (x3), 200MM (x2)
DISPLAY: HANNSpree 42" Class LCD 1080p 120Hz HDTV

 

[smarteyeball]

Depending on the game/SLI profile driver support - yes, you will notice a definite improvement.

There will be a few games here and there that won't benefit that much, or will cause glitches due to lack of game engine/driver support - but for those that are supported your framerate will increase and allow you to potentially run at even higher settings.

SLI (or multiple cards in general) are not glitch free and can cause headaches of their own; but when it works - it works well. If you've already got a 550ti, it would be worthwhile grabbing another one.

As for recording, you should see some improvements in certain titles. Fraps pretty much halves your framerate when recoding as is (as you've noticed) so an increased framerate will also result in smoother recording.

 

[BeKure]

Thank you very much. I will most likely be picking up another 550ti now. I just hope that I notice a improvement concerning the heavy FPS drop I experience while capturing footage.

 

[essenbe]

Perhaps you can find another capture program instead of FRAPS. Fraps will really drag down performance while recording. There may be better options.

 

[BeKure]

Perhaps you can find another capture program instead of FRAPS. Fraps will really drag down performance while recording. There may be better options.

I also use Bandicam but that can also slow things down during moments of capturing as well.

 

[PC BUILDER1]

i suggest that you upgrade in steed i had a gtx 550ti just like you butt i have upgrade to a gtx670. it is cheaper in the long therm..

 

[Trucidation]

Yeah, the tech moves too fast for SLI to be an effective solution for long (let alone a cost-effective one). Your specs are pretty good already btw, normally fraps recording shouldn't lag much - then I noticed your resolution; stepping it down a bit may help, if it's an option.

 

[BeKure]

Yeah, the tech moves too fast for SLI to be an effective solution for long (let alone a cost-effective one). Your specs are pretty good already btw, normally fraps recording shouldn't lag much - then I noticed your resolution; stepping it down a bit may help, if it's an option.

Thank you for the advice but "stepping it down" is not an option. When I consider the amount of money I paid for my rig you better believe that I plan on having the most visually impressive experience that I can possibly fathom.

 

[Solarstarshines]

your good for a while if you SLI two 550 TI's you will see a good jump in frame rate and performance

 

[BeKure]

I will be getting my 2nd GTX 550ti in the mail today. I will run it in SLI with my current one and share my results. I had another question though. I have a old 9800 GTX that I don't use anymore and I was wondering if it would be a waste of time to SLI my two GTX 550's while also using my old 9800 as a disignated PhyXs card. Your thoughts?

 

[BeKure]

Ok I got the cards set up and when I try to run Batman Arkum Asylum I get a error message in windows claiming that I don't have PhysX installed. I have re-downloaded my drivers and the issue presumes.
Does it appear that I have SLI set up correctly in the Nvidia Control Panel?

 

[BeKure]

Ok, I updated to the beta drivers and the problem went away. I do notice better fps in single player offline games but fps dipping still remains in online RPG's (MMO's). Maybe my internet connection has something to do with that.

 

[smarteyeball]

while also using my old 9800 as a disignated PhyXs card. Your thoughts?

Give it a try.

The best way to work out if it's worth it is to bench with it installed and without.

(The BM benchmark will do nicely for that).

Select the config that gives you the best FPS.

I do notice better fps in single player offline games but fps dipping still remains in online RPG's (MMO's). Maybe my internet connection has something to do with that.

Lag can certainly have an impact and since you're getting better frames offline, it's a fair bet that your connection is the problem.

 

[Techymike]

I added my second GTX 480 but have not done anything yet to notice a change. What I can say now is my MB is full but still runs cool. I was worried about the two 480's being hot. I can tell you that there is a huge improvement in the 3D quality with both cards when watching movies.

 

[solarmystic]

I added my second GTX 480 but have not done anything yet to notice a change. What I can say now is my MB is full but still runs cool. I was worried about the two 480's being hot. I can tell you that there is a huge improvement in the 3D quality with both cards when watching movies.

Aren't those cards notorious for being Dustbusters with the noise that they produce and the heat that they generate?

NVIDIA fixed the issue with the refreshed Fermi revision, the GTX 580 of course.

 

[BeKure]

while also using my old 9800 as a disignated PhyXs card. Your thoughts?

Give it a try.

The best way to work out if it's worth it is to bench with it installed and without.

(The BM benchmark will do nicely for that).

Select the config that gives you the best FPS.

I do notice better fps in single player offline games but fps dipping still remains in online RPG's (MMO's). Maybe my internet connection has something to do with that.

Lag can certainly have an impact and since you're getting better frames offline, it's a fair bet that your connection is the problem.

I wonder what the issue is though. My connection is not too shabby and the router I'm using is decent as well. It's frustrating to say the least because I play a lot of online games and my fps still dips into the teens even with 2 GPU's! Grrr!
At least I notice improvement with off-line games.

 

[smarteyeball]

I can tell you that there is a huge improvement in the 3D quality with both cards when watching movies.

Odd. The primary card is only used for play back. You do have SLI enabled? :huh:

What player are you using to watch 3D content? Is the content native 3D, half SBS, Full SBS etc?

Just curious mate.

Regardless, at least it's smoother

I wonder what the issue is though. My connection is not too shabby and the router I'm using is decent as well. It's frustrating to say the least because I play a lot of online games and my fps still dips into the teens even with 2 GPU's! Grrr!

It could also be the server you are connected to. High pings are still going to hurt performance no matter how good your connection or setup.

(Do you have any torrents etc running while gaming online? )

At least I notice improvement with off-line games.

It's not a complete waste

 

[Techymike]

With the case I have they run very cool so no problems with mine. The extra airflow aids in the process. It is a very big case.

Solarmystic...I have these so I have to deal with what I have now and make the best of it.

 

[BeKure]

I can tell you that there is a huge improvement in the 3D quality with both cards when watching movies.

Odd. The primary card is only used for play back. You do have SLI enabled? :huh:

What player are you using to watch 3D content? Is the content native 3D, half SBS, Full SBS etc?

Just curious mate.

Regardless, at least it's smoother

I wonder what the issue is though. My connection is not too shabby and the router I'm using is decent as well. It's frustrating to say the least because I play a lot of online games and my fps still dips into the teens even with 2 GPU's! Grrr!

It could also be the server you are connected to. High pings are still going to hurt performance no matter how good your connection or setup.

(Do you have any torrents etc running while gaming online? )

At least I notice improvement with off-line games.

It's not a complete waste

I never have torrents running at all.

 

[solarmystic]

Bekure, can you check the other thread where you've mentioned your problems about your stuttery and low FPS during online gaming?

http://www.sevenforums.com/gaming/239020-fps-spiking-low-fps-while-playing-online-games.html

I've replied with some suggestions...