AM3 & Dedicated SLI Going the Way of the Dinosaur?

jedihobbit · As of 02/01/11

I’m currently setting up my second AM3 system and wanted to go SLI so I went with MSI’s NF980-G65. However in my search for a mobo something became very apparent……nvidia seems to be on the short end when it comes to wanting to do AMD proc with nvidia chipsets for native SLI.

From what I’ve read on other sites the nvidia chipsets are p-poor overclockers also. My only experience so far with that would be the 750a that I’ve tried. Initially I thought it was just the way XFX made it, as it sucked!

I have heard mentioned a “hack” in several threads that would allow one to run SLI with AMD chipsets, anyone try that yet??? It’s bad enough I invested in three 470SCs I now need to sell because of picking up two 580s. Then not have any performance mobos to put them in is a bit much!!

So what does one have to look forward to SLI wise? Confused

Ryuujin · Rated PG Joined: 18 Feb 2011 Posts: 11

Ive tried the sli hack before. I feel like you should either use crossfire, or just go with intel.

James86 · Rated R Joined: 11 Feb 2011 Posts: 63 Location: So Cal

I don't think you can SLI on an AM3 mb Sad

jedihobbit · As of 02/01/11

mynameisthis · Rated PG Joined: 18 Feb 2011 Posts: 16

I currently have a GTX 460 and considered SLI, but I don't think I will for one reason. I have to agree with you when you say that SLI is becoming less necessary. Higher price point cards compete solidly with SLI cards.

Power consumption. Radeon Crossfires of the newer cards are a lot more efficient.

Brooke · Rated PG Joined: 02 Apr 2011 Posts: 3 Location: ny

This is a tough question to answer for a couple of reasons. First off: There are a lot of motherboards to choose from and there isn't really 1 out there that is absolutely the best. Intense graphics design requires some of the best hardware you can get and the motherboard is only 1 of many things to decide on. The Video Card, Processor and RAM are probably the most important things you will need to choose.

If you like AMD, the Gigabyte GA-MA790GP-UD4H looks pretty good on the high end. It has 128mb of "side-port" memory that, as I understand it, is dedicated to graphics. I don't think it's a bit deal but it is a plus.

dlb · Rated PG Joined: 21 Sep 2008 Posts: 24 Location: USA

I'm running an Asus mobo ( model M4N72-E ) and it supports all current AM3 processors (thanks to BIOS upgrades); it's a 2-way SLI board and I freekin love it, but it IS an older model so it's DDR2 memory only. As for new boards supporting DDR3 memory with AM3 processors and SLI with Nvidia chipsets: slim pickins.... why this is the way things are going is a bit mystifying to me personally..... most newer Intel chipsets support both AMD Xfire and Nvidia SLI, but AMD chipsets do NOT support both (except for the new 9xx series -I think). The business reasons here are obvious with AMD's acquisition of ATI. You'd think that Nvidia would want to counter that move and try to appeal to more mobo makers to build SLI mobos with Nvidia chipsets.... I dunno.... it's weird....

(BTW - @ jedihobbit: your sig lists your PhenomII 1055 as a quad-core X4, but as we all know it's a hexa-core X6! I'm sure it's just an oversight or a "I've had a few beers and I'm typing too fast and it's just reflex to enter quad core X4" - not a big deal, just thought I'd meniton it LOL )

jedihobbit · As of 02/01/11