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Multiple GPU = faster framerates?
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Fresh-Faced Recruit
Join Date: Jun 2007
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Quick question, I am playing Oblivion via Bootcamp 1.3 on my 2x2.66 MacPro, and the NVIDIA 7300GT is doing "ok", but I'd like to get faster framerates. I realize the graphics upgrades are EXTREMELY limited on Mac Pro right now, which is a bit pathetic...but I know that when you purchase a Mac Pro, you have the option of getting 1x, 2x, 3x, or even 4x 7300GT cards? ...does this speed things up at all? Would a Windows 32-bit game actually take advantage of multiple GPUs?
Thanks in advance. Sorry, no photos of my motherboard this time.
-Arudius
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Mac Elite
Join Date: Jun 2006
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No. It would just let you hook up more monitors.
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Dedicated MacNNer
Join Date: Dec 2004
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Yes- SLI, which is the term nVidia uses for connecting multiple GPUs for better performance, is NOT supported on Intel chipset motherboards which Apple uses. SLI only works on nVidia chipset motherboards at the moment. Interestingly, the 7300GT that the Mac Pro comes equipped with has an SLI connector.
-a
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Posting Junkie
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Houston, TX
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Originally Posted by Abbas
Yes- SLI, which is the term nVidia uses for connecting multiple GPUs for better performance, is NOT supported on Intel chipset motherboards which Apple uses. SLI only works on nVidia chipset motherboards at the moment. Interestingly, the 7300GT that the Mac Pro comes equipped with has an SLI connector.
I assume they're just reusing one of the usual nVidia ODM's board with a different firmware chip (for EFI support). No reason to create a unique board and drive up unit cost.
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Fresh-Faced Recruit
Join Date: Jun 2007
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...faaaack. <--another happy Mac Gamer.
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Fresh-Faced Recruit
Join Date: Jun 2007
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Originally Posted by Abbas
Yes- SLI, which is the term nVidia uses for connecting multiple GPUs for better performance, is NOT supported on Intel chipset motherboards which Apple uses. SLI only works on nVidia chipset motherboards at the moment. Interestingly, the 7300GT that the Mac Pro comes equipped with has an SLI connector.
-a
Wait, does this mean that I'm not f**ked? I can install another 7300GT card and get increased performance on my Mac Pro?
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Professional Poster
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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SLI is supported on the Mac Pro in windows. There is a hack for the Intel boards. People have done it, you just have to set slot 1 & 2 to 8x lanes and away you go. SLI is not supported in MacOS X, though.
I haven't done it personally, but a few people have.
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Mac Pro Dual 3.0 Dual-Core
MacBook Pro
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Dedicated MacNNer
Join Date: Dec 2004
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You can install another 7300GT but you cant run it in SLI mode to increase performance. As slpdload stated, you can only use it to power multiple displays.
-a
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Posting Junkie
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Houston, TX
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The 7300GT is a pretty slow card to be using for SLI... I mean, a pair of 7300GTs will still be slower than a single X1900XT.
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Professional Poster
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Originally Posted by Abbas
You can install another 7300GT but you cant run it in SLI mode to increase performance. As slpdload stated, you can only use it to power multiple displays.
-a
In MacOS X that's true, in windows that's false. You can have SLI on the Mac Pro in windows.
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Mac Pro Dual 3.0 Dual-Core
MacBook Pro
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Professional Poster
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: New York, NY, USA
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Originally Posted by mduell
I assume they're just reusing one of the usual nVidia ODM's board with a different firmware chip (for EFI support). No reason to create a unique board and drive up unit cost.
I think it's a custom board because of the Firewire 800.
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The era of anthropomorphizing hardware is over.
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Posting Junkie
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Houston, TX
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Originally Posted by Don Pickett
I think it's a custom board because of the Firewire 800.
FW800 on the video card? WTF?
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Professional Poster
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Originally Posted by mduell
FW800 on the video card? WTF?
He's talking about the motherboard. He thinks it's a custom board because of the firewire 800.
I know Pc motherboards do come with firewire. Not sure about firewire 800.
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Mac Pro Dual 3.0 Dual-Core
MacBook Pro
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Posting Junkie
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Houston, TX
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I have no doubt the logic board is a custom layout for Apple.
But my comment he replied to was about video cards. nVidia doesn't have any chips on the logic board.
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