Help with Video card upgrade

[Couch_Potato]

Hi all,

I have been playing fps nexiuz for a couple years now and would like a boost in graphic capability and dual monitors. Currently, I'm running a Palit GeForce GT 240 and I get decent frame rates at a lower video settings in the game. I'm thinking SLI . Does anyone have any suggestions for what currently works? I really want to turn up the effects in my game and mess around more with kde effects.

Thanx

Couch_Potato
Kubuntu 12.04
3.2.0-32-generic

[Jonas]

As far as I know SLI wont work with the any current Linux driver, free or proprietary.

I think you should stick with Nvidia however, depending on your budget the 500 -600 series would be a nice boost. Beware of getting the absolute latest and the greatest as I think there could be lack of driver support, both from free or Nvidia drivers.

b.r

Jonas

[HalationEffect]

As far as I know SLI wont work with the any current Linux driver, free or proprietary.

Hmm, I had heard the opposite.

Some googling finds: http://uk.download.nvidia.com/XFree8...hapter-25.html

The NVIDIA Linux driver contains support for NVIDIA SLI FrameRendering and NVIDIA Multi-GPU FrameRendering. Both of these technologies allow an OpenGL application to take advantage of multiple GPUs to improve visual performance.

Also: http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?pag...e_gtx680&num=1

NVIDIA SLI obviously also remains around for the GTX 680 too, which if using the official NVIDIA Linux driver, should be implemented and at parity to the Windows driver.

[oshunluvr]

SLI works with the nvidia driver. From the docs:

Option "SLI" "string"This option controls the configuration of SLI rendering in supported configurations.

0, no, off, false, Single	Use only a single GPU when rendering
1, yes, on, true, Auto	Enable SLI and allow the driver to automatically select the appropriate rendering mode.
AFR	Enable SLI and use the Alternate Frame Rendering mode.
SFR	Enable SLI and use the Split Frame Rendering mode.
AA	Enable SLI and use SLI Antialiasing. Use this in conjunction with full scene antialiasing to improve visual quality.
AFRofAA	Enable SLI and use SLI Alternate Frame Rendering of Antialiasing mode. Use this in conjunction with full scene antialiasing to improve visual quality. This option is only valid for SLI configurations with 4 GPUs.
Mosaic	Enable SLI and use SLI Mosaic Mode. Use this in conjunction with the MetaModes X configuration option to specify the combination of mode(s) used on each display.

[james147]

I would also just go with a 500-600 series nvidia, I doubt you really need sli for nexiuz if you have one of these cards.

[oshunluvr]

From what I've read to gt240s in SLI beat a single 460. Don't know about the newer cards. No doubt the second gt240 would be cheaper than a new 560 if you already have an SLI enabled mobo and one card.

[Couch_Potato]

First off thanks for all your replies.

Oshuniuvr. My Palit GT240 doesn't have sli. James147 and Jonas. I have been looking around Newegg and Amazon at cards. I'm kinda watching my budget. try to keep it under 2 bills and go from there.

Well thanks again. I'll try and report back when I make a choice.

Later

[Couch_Potato]

I'm back. It can get more than a bit pricey. Anyway here are three:

http://www.amazon.com/MSI-GeForce-Graphics-N660-TF/dp/B0094CX8QI/ref=pd_sim_sbs_e_3 MSI Video no SLI

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00919CI5Q/...SIN=B00919CI5Q Asus Video

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130770

I still like the idea of SLI, but if a non sli can give me a power of ten or so increase. I guess I can settle for that :>.
Thanks again.

[Couch_Potato]

I'm back. It can get more than a bit pricey. Anyway here are three:

http://www.amazon.com/MSI-GeForce-Graphics-N660-TF/dp/B0094CX8QI/ref=pd_sim_sbs_e_3 MSI Video no SLI

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00919CI5Q/...SIN=B00919CI5Q Asus Video

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130770

I still like the idea of SLI, but if a non sli can give me a power of ten or so increase. I guess I can settle for that :>.
Thanks again.

Okay I bought: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...3SHIP-_-03ship

I've been playing nex and it can get a little warm at 73 degrees C. After I exit the game the temp comes down to 49 I have turned up the effects settings to best and am getting 60fps. The game plays nice and smooth. Get to see all the shadows and bright colors I was otherwise not seeing with the GT240. Thanks again all for your input.

Couch