Is SLI mode worth using for SL?

SL has de-stabilized my mind -- I actually took on my first computer build in order to improve my SL experience from what I was getting on my partner's eMac. (SL wouldn't even run on my PC laptop.)

I'm a TOTAL hardware novice, so it's a wonder I actually completed this build successfully. I know there are more kick-ass processors and cards around than the ones I bought, but I tried to choose the best quality components I could afford within my overall budget and ones that were certain to work together.

Compared to what I was seeing before, my new computer display knocked my socks off! It's like entering a whole new SL -- fast and vibrant with music, colors, textures and movement!

Now I'm getting greedy and wondering how much more improvement I can reach for later, when my pocketbook recovers. Fortunately, to give myself some wiggle room to grow without replacing major components, I selected a motherboard and graphics card that could handle SLI mode.

So, what kind of SL performance boost could I hope to get from installing a second graphics card? And what are the drawbacks, if any? Every time I attach something new to my motherboard and have to adjust BIOS and other settings, I risk totally screwing everything up. I'm not willing to take that risk for a small gain, but might be tempted by substantial improvement of some kind.

Advice and comments would be very much appreciated.

Build specs:

ASUS A8N32-SLI Deluxe motherboard
AMD Athlon 64 processor
GeForce 6800 XT graphics cards
2gb of RAM

Thanks!

When I first used SLI, I got a noticable improvement in performance as compared to using a single card, but that was a while back. However, the difference wasn't enough for me to make the sacrifice of using only one monitor, which unless I am missing a trick, is all you can use when you run both cards in that configuration. It's also worth pointing out that upgrading your setup will only improve some areas of performance - rendering, etc, and that even if you have a cray sitting on your desk, it's not going to improve any of the recent problems due to heavy load, etc.

SLI mode for me made a huge difference, but like Hiro, that was a good while ago, even before I came to SL. I have dual 6800 GT's in SLI and the rendering part of SL is quite fast. Most of the problems I notice are network based (ie-lag, hiccups, etc...).

SLI gives you a significant gain, but not as much as in software that has been written specifically for it (some games). If you're starting anew (you have no video cards at all), you will get better SL performance by buying a single card that costs twice as much, rather than two moderate-price cards in SLI. (If you're thinking about buying two 8800GTX cards, that argument doesn't apply If you already have one card, buying a second one to match is worth considering (if you can find one to match), especially since it will cost less than when you bought the first one.

For SL, generally speaking even with today's mid-tier cards the GPU is not the bottleneck (well unless you're running at very high resolutions.) So the SLI mode is not worth using just for SL.

I can be in one region and get < 10 fps, then teleport to one of those "class 5" sims with similar graphical complexity and immediatly get > 30 fps. So clearly something other than my GPU is the bottleneck. In fact for me most of the lag is either at the server or at the network.

-peekay

I'm running a single GeForce 6800, an Opteron 170 (2Ghz Dual Core) and 2 Gig of RAM and I even find some places still laggy. Not as laggy as it used to be before I got the new CPU & the 2 Gig's of RAM tho.
Seems RAM is more important to SL as it will eat it up!

I have an SLI capabale ASUS MB but I doubt I will ever be avle to afford the matching Geforce 7800 second card

I dont really think ill need it though, SL is maxxed on all video controls and I still get 40-50fps, considering the human eye can only follow about 15-25fps it fine with me.

I have a 4gb capacity, of which I'm using 2gb now. So from what you're saying, I'd get more boost by maxing out my RAM than by adding a second video card.

The big advantage is that adding extra RAM chips is easy; no BIOS changes, no extra power connectors to the motherboard, no driver changes.

On the other hand, it's much more expensive than buying another video card. So I think I'll have to pass on this option. Darn.

Thanks to everyone for your comments. I'll probably go with the second card later next year, assuming I can find a matching one. Or just live with what I've got. That's not a bad thing, given the really good performance I'm enjoying now.

It's very unlikely that SL can take advantage of RAM over 2GB, at least on Windows. Anything above 2GB gets "wasted" except for a few specialized programs like Photoshop.

Also, the new GPUs geared for DirectX 10 architecture are just coming out now (starting with the G80)... so the longer you can hold off buying a new video card, the better, since the DirectX 9 based cards should drop significantly in price.

-peekay

Waiting is not a problem, given that I've emptied out my wallet for the new build!

Taking a good look at my SL game tonight, I had to admit that there's really not much more that I could ask for. Everything rezzes really fast, within just a few seconds, with rich textures and wind movement. I might pick up better distance rendering, and even more AV details, but unless I'm just totally clueless about the visual quality of the high end of SL, I'm close enough to enjoy what I've got for the next year.

Part of the problem I see in having everyone figure out "Is my system good enough" is there needs to be some sort of benchmark. Some place where everyone can go & see if they can notice a difference.

I've been using Gibson (147, 40, 39) or close to that spot as a benchmark for mine. Right now I'm getting about 12-15 FPS.

Here's my previous post about various setups I have around the house & their Framerates: Self Benchmarking

Of course SL has updated several times since then, so it kinda throws a wrench into the mix.