Is SLI worth it?

On Mon, 10 Sep 2007 11:47:35 -0400, "Mr.E Solved!"
<Iamsingle DeleteThis @askme.out> wrote:

>Chris Blunt wrote:
>
>>
>> Of course you're right. High-performance computer systems are used for
>> countless applications in the commercial world that require powerful
>> processing capabilities. Unfortunately the kids that make these kind
>> of stupid comments don't seem to realize that computers have any uses
>> other than playing games, downloading porn and online chatting.
>>
>> There was absolutely nothing in my original question that any
>> reasonable person would interpret as trolling. It was a genuine
>> question and I'm grateful to those who took the trouble to provide
>> helpful answers.
>>
>> Chris
>
>
>So tell us, the doubters, what you use all that gaming specific hardware
>for? Unless you are so busy making money for yourself so you can buy a
>Ferrari to go grocery shopping.

Grow up, get a life, and maybe one day you'll be able to earn enough
money to buy the kind of computer system you dream so much about
having.

Chris
 >> Stay informed about: Is SLI worth it? 

Chris Blunt wrote:

> Grow up, get a life, and maybe one day you'll be able to earn enough
> money to buy the kind of computer system you dream so much about
> having.
>
> Chris


Your assumption as to my circumstances is trolling speculation, an
attempt to deflect attention away from your uber-gaming PC system that
doesn't play any games.

So, silly personal attacks aside, I'll ask again since it seems to be a
real problem for you to give a straight answer: whatcha got a gaming pc
for but no games?

I await your artless dodge.
 >> Stay informed about: Is SLI worth it? 

On Tue, 11 Sep 2007 00:20:44 -0400, "Mr.E Solved!"
<Iamsingle.TakeThisOut@askme.out> wrote:

>Chris Blunt wrote:
>
>> Grow up, get a life, and maybe one day you'll be able to earn enough
>> money to buy the kind of computer system you dream so much about
>> having.
>>
>> Chris
>
>
>Your assumption as to my circumstances is trolling speculation, an
>attempt to deflect attention away from your uber-gaming PC system that
>doesn't play any games.

What makes you think I'm trying to deflect attention away from my
system? Whatever would I want to do that for when I'm asking a
specific question about adding hardware to my system?

>So, silly personal attacks aside, I'll ask again since it seems to be a
>real problem for you to give a straight answer: whatcha got a gaming pc
>for but no games?

I built myself a powerful system because I want a fast computer that
will run as much as I want on it without running low on resources. I
don't do anything in particular that makes huge demands on it, but I
do a reasonable amount of video editing, converting movies etc., and
that kind of work does benefit from a system like this.

I really don't see what your problem is about this gaming thing.
Neither do I see what this supposed troll claim is all about. If I
played games on the machine then surely it would make sense for me to
say so if I'm asking questions about a hardware configuration for that
purpose. What possible motivation would I have for saying anything
else? Is there some shame about playing games that would make me want
to hide that fact?

>I await your artless dodge.

Dodging what for heavens sake?

Chris
 >> Stay informed about: Is SLI worth it? 

On Tue, 11 Sep 2007 16:02:28 +0800, Chris Blunt
<chris_blunt RemoveThis @spamfence.net> wrote:


>I built myself a powerful system because I want a fast computer that
>will run as much as I want on it without running low on resources. I
>don't do anything in particular that makes huge demands on it, but I
>do a reasonable amount of video editing, converting movies etc., and
>that kind of work does benefit from a system like this.

OK, to cut to the chase... SLI will not help with video editing. But
then neither does an 8800 GTX, but you have one anyway so what the
hell.

You have a gaming rig, pure and simple. Video editing likes a fast
processor, lots of memory and fast hard drives (which BTW you didn't
even mention in your system specs), but the difference between the
processor you have and the next step down is about $1000 dollars and
that extra $1000 bought you next to nothing in the grand scheme of
things. Virtually any modern mid-range video card would have served
you well so you could have saved another $200 to $300 or so, depending
on when you bought the 8800 GTX. Probably could have saved another
$100 on the memory as well. And given your knowledge on the subject,
you probably bought it from a "boutique" builder, so tack on another
$500 - $750 for that.

So at the end of the day you paid a $2000 premium for what appears to
be only bragging rights. Given that, I figure you got the responses
you deserve. Most folks here are technically proficient and know
system overkill when they see it so they called you on it. If you
want to brag, best do it down at the corner bar where everyone is as
clueless as you.
 >> Stay informed about: Is SLI worth it? 

Chris Blunt wrote:

> I built myself a powerful system because I want a fast computer that
> will run as much as I want on it without running low on resources. I
> don't do anything in particular that makes huge demands on it, but I
> do a reasonable amount of video editing, converting movies etc., and
> that kind of work does benefit from a system like this.

That paragraph explains everything: you needlessly overspent. And that's
why you are getting poked fun at...over spending and you didn't know any
better. That you can afford to, well I hope it helps you sleep well at
night.

There are so many lurking gamers in this NG who would love to have a
gaming rig like that, and to hear it being unused pains them. I speak
for them, play some Company of Heroes or Oblivion, just once. I mean,
it's not like you can't afford to buy a game, right?


> Is there some shame about playing games that would make me want
> to hide that fact?

Who can say? All I know is if you need to buy hardware in the future,
ask someone here first...they will point out options you probably did
not consider, much like what Bill suggested.

Throw FSX on it as a screen saver for the love of Christmas, do protein
folding...gah, anything. Bioshock Please!
 >> Stay informed about: Is SLI worth it? 

In article <nrhce396ubrhv83nokmas48h1jemvgiffa RemoveThis @4ax.com>,
chris_blunt RemoveThis @spamfence.net says...
>
>
<snipa>
>
> I built myself a powerful system because I want a fast computer that
> will run as much as I want on it without running low on resources. I
> don't do anything in particular that makes huge demands on it, but I
> do a reasonable amount of video editing, converting movies etc., and
> that kind of work does benefit from a system like this.
>
>
<snipo>
>
> Chris
>

If your serious about the video editing, you should consider this:

http://www.videoguys.com/rtx2.html

Bill
 >> Stay informed about: Is SLI worth it? 

"Mr.E Solved!" <Iamsingle DeleteThis @askme.out> wrote in message
news:jfudnQE61_muS3vbnZ2dnUVZ_oOnnZ2d@comcast.com...
>
> Throw FSX on it as a screen saver for the love of Christmas, do protein
> folding...gah, anything. Bioshock Please!

LOL
 >> Stay informed about: Is SLI worth it? 

On Tue, 11 Sep 2007 13:34:24 -0400, Folk <Folk.DeleteThis@folk.com> wrote:

>On Tue, 11 Sep 2007 16:02:28 +0800, Chris Blunt
><chris_blunt.DeleteThis@spamfence.net> wrote:
>
>
>>I built myself a powerful system because I want a fast computer that
>>will run as much as I want on it without running low on resources. I
>>don't do anything in particular that makes huge demands on it, but I
>>do a reasonable amount of video editing, converting movies etc., and
>>that kind of work does benefit from a system like this.
>
>OK, to cut to the chase... SLI will not help with video editing. But
>then neither does an 8800 GTX, but you have one anyway so what the
>hell.
>
>You have a gaming rig, pure and simple. Video editing likes a fast
>processor, lots of memory and fast hard drives (which BTW you didn't
>even mention in your system specs), but the difference between the
>processor you have and the next step down is about $1000 dollars and
>that extra $1000 bought you next to nothing in the grand scheme of
>things. Virtually any modern mid-range video card would have served
>you well so you could have saved another $200 to $300 or so, depending
>on when you bought the 8800 GTX. Probably could have saved another
>$100 on the memory as well.

Have you never heard of future planning? It would be quite foolish to
build a new system based only on what you need right now. I agree my
system may be overkill for my immediate needs, but it won't be too
long before what I have today is a very ordinary configuration. I've
been buying or building computers since 1981 and one thing I've
learned is its better to go for the top of the range, or as close to
it as you can afford. I've seen too many people buy cheap systems with
average specifications only be frustrated by how slow their system has
become a year or so later.

> And given your knowledge on the subject,
>you probably bought it from a "boutique" builder, so tack on another
>$500 - $750 for that.

As I said, I built the entire system myself. There was no other
builder involved, "boutique" or otherwise. In fact I don't think such
things even exist in the part of the world I live.

>So at the end of the day you paid a $2000 premium for what appears to
>be only bragging rights. Given that, I figure you got the responses
>you deserve. Most folks here are technically proficient and know
>system overkill when they see it so they called you on it. If you
>want to brag, best do it down at the corner bar where everyone is as
>clueless as you.

Hasn't it occurred to you that if I was simply interested in bragging
I need not have even built a system at all? I could simply have just
come here and posted what I even did without spending a cent, let
alone $2,000. Fortunately, I have a life and have got better things to
do with my time. Its glaringly obvious that its nothing other than
uncontrollable jealousy which leads you to respond to me in the way
you do.

Chris
 >> Stay informed about: Is SLI worth it? 

"Chris Blunt" <chris_blunt.TakeThisOut@spamfence.net> wrote in message
news:ro4fe31jq8896gaguq06mkkvgveo71u0um@4ax.com...
> On Tue, 11 Sep 2007 13:34:24 -0400, Folk <Folk.TakeThisOut@folk.com> wrote:
> Hasn't it occurred to you that if I was simply interested in bragging
> I need not have even built a system at all? I could simply have just
> come here and posted what I even did without spending a cent, let
> alone $2,000. Fortunately, I have a life and have got better things to
> do with my time. Its glaringly obvious that its nothing other than
> uncontrollable jealousy which leads you to respond to me in the way
> you do.
>
> Chris

Or it just might be wisdom, not jealousy. You built the system yourself,
yet seemingly did not understand what the actual requirements for a decent
video editing system were, that an 8800GTX gives absolutely no benefit to
anything but gaming, and you can't answer a simple question without getting
defensive. It's also glaringly obvious what that indicates. <smirk>

Of course, the fact that your .sig was basically a shopping list also speaks
volumes.

The funny thing is, we're all pretty helpful here (except DaveW of course)
normally. We've just seen it all before, so it's hard to pull one over on
us. <grin>

RF.
 >> Stay informed about: Is SLI worth it? 

On Wed, 12 Sep 2007 15:45:09 +0800, Chris Blunt
<chris_blunt RemoveThis @spamfence.net> wrote:

>. Its glaringly obvious that its nothing other than
>uncontrollable jealousy which leads you to respond to me in the way
>you do.

LOL. Jealous of what?

My specs:

Abit IP35 Pro
Q6600 @ 3.0 Ghz ($299... heh)
EVGA 8800 GTX
Corsair 2 X 2048-6400C4
Western Digital 2 X WD5000AAKS
Samsung SH-S183L LS SATA DVD
Creative X-FI Gamer
Antec Solo case
Seasonic SS-650HT power supply
Zalman CNPS 9500 cooler
XP Pro SP2
Dell UltraSharp 1905FP
Klipsh Pro Media Ultra 5.1 speaker system
3DMark http://service.futuremark.com/compare?3dm06=2987766

Pretty much the same as yours. And I would bet you would find lot's
of folks that post here have similar rigs. Do you think you're the
only person posting here that can afford a decent system?

See, I didn't need to post to this newsgroup to figure out if SLI was
a benefit or not. I read the reviews and tech sites and already know
what any particular piece of hardware would do for me
performance-wise. Personally, I wouldn't put up with the hassles
associated with SLI... PSU/cabling/cooling/lost slots/application
profiles/(MTBF * 2), etc. just aren't worth it for me for the piddling
20-30% performance gain in *some* titles.

And FWIW, this is a new build in anticipation of playing UT3.
 >> Stay informed about: Is SLI worth it? 

"RF" <nobody.DeleteThis@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:j6QFi.272201$BX3.71090@newsfe13.lga...
>
> "Chris Blunt" <chris_blunt.DeleteThis@spamfence.net> wrote in message
> news:ro4fe31jq8896gaguq06mkkvgveo71u0um@4ax.com...
>> On Tue, 11 Sep 2007 13:34:24 -0400, Folk <Folk.DeleteThis@folk.com> wrote:
>> Hasn't it occurred to you that if I was simply interested in bragging
>> I need not have even built a system at all? I could simply have just
>> come here and posted what I even did without spending a cent, let
>> alone $2,000. Fortunately, I have a life and have got better things to
>> do with my time. Its glaringly obvious that its nothing other than
>> uncontrollable jealousy which leads you to respond to me in the way
>> you do.
>>
>> Chris
>
> Or it just might be wisdom, not jealousy. You built the system yourself,
> yet seemingly did not understand what the actual requirements for a decent
> video editing system were, that an 8800GTX gives absolutely no benefit to
> anything but gaming, and you can't answer a simple question without
> getting defensive. It's also glaringly obvious what that indicates.
> <smirk>
>
> Of course, the fact that your .sig was basically a shopping list also
> speaks volumes.
>
> The funny thing is, we're all pretty helpful here (except DaveW of course)
> normally. We've just seen it all before, so it's hard to pull one over on
> us. <grin>
>
> RF.
Exactly......... That is basically what I said in a previous reply. I do
have 2x 8800GTXs in my system but I do a lot of simulation-type gaming like
flight and racing sims that need a lot of video horsepower. I also do a lot
of video work. The main thing I did for video is to have a couple of Sata2,
1TB raid0 arrays and work between the two arrays. The video card/cards have
absolutely no impact there. I do store some finished work on the arrays just
for making copies for freinds/family and the large arrays are also very fast
for compiling/editing. Getting what you need, or maybe going a little
overboard for your needs is what many of us do here...... The extra
25-35% gain in video performance of a second 8800 will not help him at all
for his particular needs, but did help me a bit with what I do. DaveW would
just tell him to format and reinstall............

Ed
>
 >> Stay informed about: Is SLI worth it? 

Chris Blunt wrote:

> On Wed, 12 Sep 2007 12:42:53 -0400, Folk <Folk DeleteThis @folk.com> wrote:

>> Creative X-FI Gamer
>> Klipsh Pro Media Ultra 5.1 speaker system

Mmm, yummy!
 >> Stay informed about: Is SLI worth it? 

On Wed, 12 Sep 2007 06:31:18 -0500, "RF" <nobody.RemoveThis@nowhere.com> wrote:

>
>"Chris Blunt" <chris_blunt.RemoveThis@spamfence.net> wrote in message
>news:ro4fe31jq8896gaguq06mkkvgveo71u0um@4ax.com...
>> On Tue, 11 Sep 2007 13:34:24 -0400, Folk <Folk.RemoveThis@folk.com> wrote:
>> Hasn't it occurred to you that if I was simply interested in bragging
>> I need not have even built a system at all? I could simply have just
>> come here and posted what I even did without spending a cent, let
>> alone $2,000. Fortunately, I have a life and have got better things to
>> do with my time. Its glaringly obvious that its nothing other than
>> uncontrollable jealousy which leads you to respond to me in the way
>> you do.
>>
>> Chris
>
>Or it just might be wisdom, not jealousy. You built the system yourself,
>yet seemingly did not understand what the actual requirements for a decent
>video editing system were, that an 8800GTX gives absolutely no benefit to
>anything but gaming, and you can't answer a simple question without getting
>defensive. It's also glaringly obvious what that indicates. <smirk>

I built the system for general use, not specifically for video
editing.

As far as I know I've answered every question put to me. Exactly what
"simple question" it is that I failed to answer? I've no need to be
defensive about anything.

>Of course, the fact that your .sig was basically a shopping list also speaks
>volumes.

Yup, it was a shopping list. Then I went out and bought it all and put
it together. What is your point?

>The funny thing is, we're all pretty helpful here (except DaveW of course)
>normally. We've just seen it all before, so it's hard to pull one over on
>us. <grin>

Pull what over? What exactly is your problem with me having the system
I do? If there's a bit of overkill in it, so what? I have a great
system that has the flexibility for me to do other things with it
later. I'm a private pilot, and am even thinking about adding a flight
simulator. If I do, I already have a system that can easily be adapted
for that. I just don't see why all of this is such a big deal for you
guys.

Chris
 >> Stay informed about: Is SLI worth it?