Here are my results at the default settings in 3DMark06. You can download the shareware version of 3DMark06 from FutureMark and run the bencmark to compare your results to mine.
The free version of 3DMark06 is limited in testing capabilities, allowing only a default run at a resolution of 1280x1024 with no antialiasing and optimal texture filtering, which is a mixture of bilinear and trilinear filtering.
3DMark06 Results - Single card
3DMark06 Results - SLI - Dual Card
CONCLUSION
The nForce 4 Intel Edition will lead to an increase in the number of high-end gaming systems with Pentium 4 CPUs. The execution has been flawless as MSIs P4N Diamond motherboard has been rock solid throught the testing period. Installing a second GeForce 7800 GT graphics card, which the system automatically detected, was a snap and SLI worked wonderfully.
SLI is a technology that is here to stay. NVIDIA’s development of a quad-SLI system shows their commitment to the platform. Anybody questioning to add a few dollars into a motherboard purchase to get the SLI-enabled version over the non-SLI version should not hesitate.
SLI allows the user the added capability of choice during an upgrade. One can choose to add a second similar card to enable SLI or opt for a next-generation card. Which way to go is a question of choice rather than having to purchase a next-generation card and worrying about selling the replacement once the new card is received.
Opt for SLI, you will not be disappointed with the possibilities.
Special thanks to MSI for providing both the P4N Diamond motherboard and NX7800GT-VT2D256E, which allowed me to conduct an investigation into using SLI.
MSI NX7800GT-VT2D256E
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