My 8800 GT vs SLI benchmarks in Crysis

[SlieTheSecond]

I picked up a second 8800 GT today. First thing I did was run some benchies.
This is a mixed vendor SLI.
Video card One is a BFG 8800 GT 512MB. Core 625mhz Memory 900mhz clocks.
Video Card Two is a EVGA 8800 GT 512MB. Core 650mhz Memory 950mhz clock.

For all the benchmarks, I ran both cards at Core 700mhz and Memory 1000mhz.

I am going to refer to SLI as SLI and single card as SIN. Makes it easier to read.

Specs:
E6400 @ 3.2Ghz
2GB DDR2 Ram @ 800mhz
2 x 8800 GT 512MB @ 700/1000
600watt OCZ GameXStream PSU
WinXP 32bit.

=== 3D Mark 06====
At the default resolution of 1280x1024, sli was not very noticeable.
Single card netted me around 12200 score, while sli didn't quite give me a 1000 point boost. Once I beefed up the graphic settings. SLI started to show.

1680x1050 4xAA
SIN SM2: 4184 SM3: 3340 CPU: 2779 Total: 8931
SLI SM2: 5966 SM3: 5782 CPU: 2776 Total: 12580


===Crysis===
Very High DX9 refers to copying all of the Very high settings in each config file overtop of the High Settings, as you can not select Very High under DX9.
Performance Very High DX9 refers to setting all game options to high then using the following console commands: r_usepom 1, q_renderer 3, r_colorgrading 1, e_water_ocean_fft 1, r_sunshafts 1 (for more information on how to do it -> http://www.tweakguides.com/Crysis_13.html )

1680x1050 Very High DX9
SIN AVG 21.75 MAX 25.01 MIN 13.54
SLI AVG 28.13 MAX 39.27 MIN 15.26

1680x1050 Performance Very High DX9
SIN AVG 27.98 MAX 31.20 MIN 15.89
SLI AVG 34.36 MAX 52.32 MIN 12.69

1680x1050 High DX9
SIN AVG 32.82 MAX 38.21 MIN 14.95
SLI AVG 36.59 MAX 63.53 MIN 17.54

All in all. There is a noticeable boost with SLI when the extra graphic settings are enabled. Not much of a difference with just High except for the Max fps.

Two things to note however.
B) I used 169.02 drivers. With the 169.09 drivers, when I enabled SLI. My performance dropped. Going from 30 fps without SLI, down to 10 fps with SLI depending on which render method I chose.
B) Even with an avg of 28 fps on Very High, it still felt sluggish compared to the 27 fps avg I was getting on High with my 8800 GTS 640, which felt smooth.

I'll be running more tests once the Patch / New Drivers are released.


If anyone wants any benchmarks or comparisons at differen't resolutions/settings or in another game. Let me know.

[bacon12]

Nice to see these results I got notice that they arrived today and are back in stock.

Bummer I need two-fifty and it's just to close to Christmas.

[SH64]

Originally Posted by SlieTheSecond

B) Even with an avg of 28 fps on Very High, it still felt sluggish compared to the 27 fps avg I was getting on High with my 8800 GTS 640, which felt smooth.

Good thing you mentioned that. thats one of the main reasons for me to abandon SLI.
SLI needs higher framerate to get a smooth gameplay than a single GPU. i guess this means the issue still remains with the GF8 series.

Originally Posted by SH64

Good thing you mentioned that. thats one of the main reasons for me to abandon SLI.
SLI needs higher framerate to get a smooth gameplay than a single GPU. i guess this means the issue still remains with the GF8 series.

I didn't know that was an issue. I thought it was supposed to smooth out gameplay with AA & AF more than increase FPS.

[SlieTheSecond]

Well Now I am playing on a Tweaked Very High settings I found online. Looks great, plays smooth for the most part. Occasional slow downs, but thats to be expected.

So far the only sluggish part is in Crysis with super high settings. Considering those settings where never meant to be enabled in DX9..
I tried oblivion, half life 2 and far cry with 32xQ AA. Runs super smooth.

[Dazz]

Seems to be around 3fps diffrence from your single 8800GT and my single 8800GTX but considering the price it seems good. I have been debating on getting another 8800GTX but not sure just to sell this one and buy 2 8800GT.

[SlieTheSecond]

Originally Posted by Dazz

Seems to be around 3fps diffrence from your single 8800GT and my single 8800GTX but considering the price it seems good. I have been debating on getting another 8800GTX but not sure just to sell this one and buy 2 8800GT.

That is overclocked though. Not all cards will hit those speeds.

If you want reference stock speed benchmarks, let me know.

[SH64]

Originally Posted by methimpikehoses

I didn't know that was an issue. I thought it was supposed to smooth out gameplay with AA & AF more than increase FPS.

Not many people are aware of this issue except me & few others if you believe me.
i did post some threads about it in the past when i had SLI for the GF6 & 7 series .. i thought it might have gotten somewhat better with the GF8 series but looks like its not.

you can search for my threads into this issue with the words "SLI mouse lag".

[JimBobb]

Here is a good Thread for this SLI Problem :

http://www.forum-3dcenter.org/vbulle...d.php?t=371844

SLI-AFR have Problems with the Frametimes

[DHP]

TS: Try and downclock your cards a little or benchmark them @ stock speeds. Maybe you'll get higher framerates. I overclocked my cards to 700/1950 and my performance dropped. So I'm back to the stock 660/1650/1900 of my MSI OC cards.

Use AFR2 too. Its best for all games imho.

For Source based games use AFR1 to prevent shadows from flickering.

I see HUGE gains in SLi vs a single card btw. Its MUCH MUCH faster than my single XFX 8800GTX XXX in ALL games I have. I can play all games @ 1920x1200 with AA and AF except for Crysis. I don't play Crysis at all... I'll play it when the 9800GTX arrives. :-D

[SH64]

Originally Posted by JimBobb

Here is a good Thread for this SLI Problem :

http://www.forum-3dcenter.org/vbulle...d.php?t=371844

SLI-AFR have Problems with the Frametimes

Thanks .. need translation though

yeah i forgot to mention , its an AFR issue. SFR dosent seem to suffer this issue.