What card should i use.

[Urbwolf]

I have currently as you can see in my system specs the 9800 gx2 card which has 2 gpu's that add up to 1gb memory when its in sli mode. My question is is it better for me to use my 8800 gtx then the 9800 gx2? both use pci express but the 9800 uses the pci express 2 or x16 whatever it is. My mobo only has pci express so im not really getting the full power out of the 9800 gx2 as it is. Looking for a opinion if i should change out for the 8800 gtx. Planning on a new build in a couple months anyhow with all updated parts. But for the time being i was curious.

 

[TheSchaft]

This is outside my area of expertise. Hang in there - some of the real gurus will chime in I'm sure.

 

[smarteyeball]

Your board has two PCI-e x 16 slots. The 9800 x2 will run at full x16 bandwidth in a single card configuration. Basically, it's already running at 'full speed' as it is.

Why not just use the 8800gtx as a dedicated PhysX card?

Even if adding the second card drops your PCI-e lanes down to x8/x8, you wouldn't notice the difference between x16 and x8/x8 anyway.

 

[thefabe]

Your board has two PCI-e x 16 slots. The 9800 x2 will run at full x16 bandwidth in a single card configuration. Basically, it's already running at 'full speed' as it is.

Why not just use the 8800gtx as a dedicated PhysX card?

Even if adding the second card drops your PCI-e lanes down to x8/x8, you wouldn't notice the difference between x16 and x8/x8 anyway.

This is an excellent idea. Most cards don't even come close to using up all the bandwidth 8x So running your 8800 as a dedicate Phsx card would give you the best preformance with your crads. +1

 

[Urbwolf]

Going to try that, Had to send in my 9800gx2 back to EVGA today, It blew on me last night.... They dont make them anymore so hopefully they upgrade me(couldnt be that lucky) When i get it back will set up with 8800 as phyx card. Another question is when i have the 9800 in and i choose the sli or multi gpu option does it act as one card when playing games that dont use sli? or is it like a true sli setup IE. Two cards set sli or is it diff because 2 gpu's are on the same card?

 

[thefabe]

Yes it is SLI, and my experience with EVGA if the card is no longer available they will send you the upgraded card. At least they did for me. SLI question answered. Especially since your running it on a Nvidia SLI board. Nvidia 9800GX2 = SLI?

 

[Urbwolf]

Ok my next question is when i put in the 8800 as a phyx card do i or do i not connect it with the 9800 via sli or is there a way to show the 8800 is the phyx card? Do i just put it in mobo and it will automatically be set up as the physx card?

 

[thefabe]

Check out this page from Nvidia PHYSX I think all you have to do is enable SLI and Phsx in the Nview control program. Don't use an SLI bridge as the cards are not compatible.