SLI/Crossfire update?

[Splice]

I am considering a new graphics card for my PC as well as a possible laptop purchase that runs an SLI setup. Any idea if this is going to be supported and a worthwhile purchase or should I avoid SLI altogether.

How did 1.X handle dual GPU setups? I know there were some hacks that allowed it but did it really improve the experience?

[Junpei]

From my personal experience Multi-card graphics setups are nothing but a headache, with most new releases performing better with 1 card disabled.

Generally getting 1 beefier card is a much more reliable payoff.

[Digirotta]

Generally getting 1 beefier card is a much more reliable payoff.

This.

Got sick of the noise and temperatures the 2 cards managed to create, and watercooled them. Even after the overclocks i'm still not happy, as SLI has it's own little problems, and getting around to games that actually support them really well, is a tedious task.

I'm waiting eagerly to get my hands on a decent, single card-setup that doesn't cost too much, and is still worth the upgrade. Might still be a ~year away, though. Before that, i spend my time praying that Nvidia delivers quality drivers for ARR.

[Dhalmel]

SLI/CFX is highly dependent on the drivers and developer optimizing for it.


Typically if the dev makes their title optimized with multiple gpu you will get better scaling, if not you're solely dependent on NV or AMD to update their multiple gpu profiles and typically scaling isn't as good. Look at Tomb Raider and Nvidia for the latest example.

Multiple GPUs on a laptop sounds like a can of worms to be honest, it's a VERY niche setup of already a niche platform (laptop gaming).


Generally if I want a multiple gpu setup I will wait to the latest generation of card to come out and buy two of the flagship single gpu model.

[nasomi]

SLI works great. When they say "No SLI/Crossfire support" They mean they don't have a profile with optimizations for it. However it does work and will use both gpu's if SLI is enabled. They just haven't added the tweaks to it yet to optimize, but you will see a definite performance gain.

Normally I run single screen with 2 side screens for other stuff. However on occation I'll enable SLI and nvidia surround and run the game at 5760x1200, and let me tell you, it looks incredible. Even without the "custom profile" it works pretty well. It'll only get better once they pay more attention to it. I have 2 GTX580's. A single gtx580 will drive the game on max settings at 1920x1200.

[Alhanelem]

The benchmark doesn't currently support SLI, but the game should at launch or sometime soon after.