Tri SLI question

[Error 404]

Hi, I'm building a PC system for a friend, and was wondering whether Tri SLI can run different types of graphics cards together. e.g, an 8800 GTS, 9800 GT and an 8800 GTX.
Would the cards (all of the SLI enabled) run together, or would there be compatibility issues?
Also, do standard SLI cards run in Tri SLI mode? This is a definate need to know, because this is the first time i've built a sysem.

[farlex85]

Not yet. No hybrid for sli. You can run hybrid crossfire though w/ ati. And no the only cards you can run on tri-sli are the high end ones: 9800gtx, 8800ultra, and I believe 8800gtx. Not really worth it if you ask me. If he's got a lot of money though........

[sneekypeet]

if it did run that way which I doubt it does...it would only run all 3 cards as fast as the weakest card, so there is no point in 3 increasingly better cards.

[Error 404]

Ok, thanks.
Does a Tri SLI mobo (nVidia 780i, for example), need three cards, or will it run happily with two? My friend wants to keep costs low(ish), so I need to know whether he can upgrade to 3 cards in the future.

[sneekypeet]

1 2 or 3 ...will run any way!

[farlex85]

780i will run fine w/ one, its not required. If he's looking to cut cost I would reccomend going w/ the 750i, a whole lot cheaper and supposedly oc's better, no tri-sli though. But really, tri-sli does not scale that well. Its usually better to sell card for a faster one in the future than just adding on more of the same.

[spearman914]

Not possible yet but possible for crossfire cards. Even if you did all three cards may just run at the weakest clocks. And not worth it cuz one card has 100% power when you add another card only has a 30% improvement.
EX: 8800 GTX (670 MHz Core)
8800 GTX (700 MHz Core)
8800 GTX(720 MHz Core)
All of them will just run at 670 MHz which is kinda sad.

[Snipe343]

if he is keeping costs low i would recommend going for ati, they seem to be a bit cheaper, unless the friend is keen on getting nvidia, that way you can hybrid crossfire

[Error 404]

He definately wants nVidia, but by the sounds of it standard SLI is better for a cheaper system. I'll probably get the 750i then.
Can the 750i handle DDR3?

[farlex85]

I don't believe so, although there may be a couple of models that do. Again though, ddr3 is not really something to consider if price is at all a constraint.

[CrAsHnBuRnXp]

Tri-SLi seems pretty pointless. I saw a benchmark (cant remember where though) that it shows in a benchmark score, but in an SLi enabled game, it got maybe 2 FPS more than regular SLi. Not really worth it.

[Error 404]

its not too much of a constraint. i just need to make everything fit in under $2500.

[farlex85]

Well, for $2500 yea get the 790i ultra and 2 8800gts (g92) evga style that he can step up to 9900 series in a couple of months and 4gigs of ddr3. Thats a pretty high celing.

Edit: Wait, is this in australia, cause I think prices are higher there than where I'm at in the US.

[Error 404]

take about 10% off for Australia pricing. so my budget is, in US$, about $2250.
However, will a 750i take DDR3 RAM?

[Exavier]

No, they won't. 790i is that route