Not sure how to use SLI on new PC for additional GC

Tirinel · 09-25-2009, 05:48 AM

Hello, everyone. It's my first post but i'm in need of some desperate help from anyone and everyone if possible.

First of all, i bought a new PC for 500 pounds (a huge amount for me) last week. While it isn't built for gaming, it's very fast and usable, and i love it. But recently i've been having some problems with the video card while playing WoW. Here are my PC settings:

AMD Phenom.
2.2 GHZ.
3GB RAM.
300GB hard drive.
256MB GC; 604MB shared.
Ethernet internet connection.

I'm trying to play WoW on ultra, with a high frame rate. I can only force about 9, and it isn't that fun to play like that, so i decided to upgrade my GC. But, after my enthusiasm, i found the eternal snag; you can't really run to graphics cards at the same time unless you want to play with two monitors. That made me feel a bit depressed but i soon found that, with the help of Hybrid SLI configurator tool, that i could run a selected two graphics cards (the Geforce 8400 GS and the Geforce 8500 GT) with it.

So, if anyone would care to answer, my first question is:

I it the video card that is preventing WoW from playing on Ultra, or is it something else? If it is, then could someone point me in the direction of finding some kind of a solution?

Secondly: why, if WoW is slow on Ultra, doesn't my Geforce borrow the shared memory to increase the Fps, or is that impossible?

Thirdly: these new Geforce (the 8400 and the 8500) can they be inserted into my PCI Express slot with the nvidia geforce 8200 still working? I don't want to disable it, if that's preferable.

If anyone can help, i'll be very grateful.

**emosun** · 09-25-2009, 06:46 AM

Ok we gotta straighten out some facts first , what video are you currently using? An onboard 8200? Or a 8400 and 8500?

Also , what your experiencing a a hardware limit. Whatever gpu you happen to be using physically cannot run the game at ultra settings with a good framerate. When you do graphics card upgrades , you typically only need one card , especially since your only playing WoW which isn't graphically demanding. You transfer the video to the new card and disable the onboard gpu as it's power will help little to none in comparison to the new gpu.

If your looking for a gpu upgrade simply post either the make and model machine , or make and model motherboard. Also the make and model power supply , and your budget. We can then sort out what will work best for you.

Tirinel · 09-25-2009, 10:25 AM

I'm using an onboard 8200. AMD Phenom 8550 triple prcessor (3 cpus) is my full processor. But cant i just buy a new graphics card, then, if i have to, disable the onboard card and use the PCI-E one?

**emosun** · 09-25-2009, 02:25 PM

Yes that's basically the plan. However you still need to post the make and model machine your using or make and model motherboard , and also the power supply make and model , and your budget.

Tirinel · 09-25-2009, 02:34 PM

My budget would be about, well, 0-60 pounds. But havent i given you the make and model of machine...?

**wrench97** · 09-25-2009, 02:48 PM

No we're looking for the the Brand like Dell, HP, Gateway. and a Model like in a Dell Dimension 9250.

**Tyree** · 09-25-2009, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tirinel

My budget would be about, well, 0-60 pounds. But havent i given you the make and model of machine...?

I don't see it posted. Having a PSU that will meet the power demands of the GPU and included hardware is very important to the well being of your PC.
Knowing what hardware you are using will make it easier for us to suggest a graphics card and PSU.

FlashMyBIOS · 09-25-2009, 05:17 PM

buy a 9500GT for 60 bucks and play wow. (if it was me on 60 bucks)
you cannot use the 8200 and 8500 and 8400 together.
yes disable the onboard use the PCI E
I believe the 8 series as long as its the same GPU you can run those 2 different cards in sli hybrid but they will default to the slower cards spec's.
the onboard is your problem with wow at ultra high.

Tirinel · 09-26-2009, 03:18 AM

Okay, i think i've found it now. My model is Aspire X1300 and my make is Acer.

**wrench97** · 09-26-2009, 03:27 AM

There is another set of numbers after Aspire X1300, they will look like U1801A or BD7550A,
But most likely the power supply is going to be too small as OEM systems are usually only fitted with a supply large enough to power what the OEM installs in them.
Pull the side cover off the PC and give us the brand and model of the power supply along with the amps list for the 12v rail(s).

FlashMyBIOS · 09-26-2009, 12:15 PM

lol I noticed 90% of the posts i see always recommend a new PSU you guys sell em or something?
Video card over heating (you need a new PSU)
Won't boot past logo screen (you need a new PSU)
RAM problems (you need a new PSU)
Hard disk problems (you need a new PSU)
I think someones getting kick backs from some manufacturer.. lol j/k

**Tyree** · 09-26-2009, 01:01 PM

No profitable gain for any of us. If you work on very many PC's you learn very quickly that low quality under powered PSU's are the reason or the cause of many problems.

**wrench97** · 09-26-2009, 03:50 PM

Has a lot to do with PSU found on the market today, few years back you could get away with a low power unit the chipsets and video cards today need more reliable power.

FlashMyBIOS · 09-26-2009, 08:48 PM

can't argue that.
this TX750 was as low as I would be willing to go these days.

Tirinel · 10-05-2009, 05:52 AM

I think my power supply goes up to 80w. can i run a graphics card above 512mb?

**emosun** · 10-05-2009, 07:18 AM

I'm surprised the pc starts with 80watts

**Tyree** · 10-05-2009, 08:37 AM

Is this the PC you have? If so, it has a 220W PSU and you need to replace it to use a dedicated graphics card.
http://reviews.cnet.com/desktops/ace...tag=mncol;psum

Tirinel · 10-09-2009, 06:29 AM

im starved for cash atm. Isn't their any ded. gc that can run on a 220? (that is my pc) please.. save me someone.

Tirinel · 10-09-2009, 07:45 AM

yep. it's 220-240 v.

**wrench97** · 10-09-2009, 11:43 AM

Voltage and wattage are not the same thing, the 220v is what comes out of the wall to power the supply, the wattage is what the supply puts out, there is a label on the side of the power supply inside the case that will tell you the total wattage of output and the amp rating of the 12v rail, a 220w unit will have a single 12v rail, to run a PCIe card you need at least 26 amps available on the 12v rail(s).

09-25-2009, 05:48 AM	#1 (permalink)
Tirinel Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 9 OS: vista sp2?	Not sure how to use SLI on new PC for additional GC Hello, everyone. It's my first post but i'm in need of some desperate help from anyone and everyone if possible. First of all, i bought a new PC for 500 pounds (a huge amount for me) last week. While it isn't built for gaming, it's very fast and usable, and i love it. But recently i've been having some problems with the video card while playing WoW. Here are my PC settings: AMD Phenom. 2.2 GHZ. 3GB RAM. 300GB hard drive. 256MB GC; 604MB shared. Ethernet internet connection. I'm trying to play WoW on ultra, with a high frame rate. I can only force about 9, and it isn't that fun to play like that, so i decided to upgrade my GC. But, after my enthusiasm, i found the eternal snag; you can't really run to graphics cards at the same time unless you want to play with two monitors. That made me feel a bit depressed but i soon found that, with the help of Hybrid SLI configurator tool, that i could run a selected two graphics cards (the Geforce 8400 GS and the Geforce 8500 GT) with it. So, if anyone would care to answer, my first question is: I it the video card that is preventing WoW from playing on Ultra, or is it something else? If it is, then could someone point me in the direction of finding some kind of a solution? Secondly: why, if WoW is slow on Ultra, doesn't my Geforce borrow the shared memory to increase the Fps, or is that impossible? Thirdly: these new Geforce (the 8400 and the 8500) can they be inserted into my PCI Express slot with the nvidia geforce 8200 still working? I don't want to disable it, if that's preferable. If anyone can help, i'll be very grateful.

09-25-2009, 06:46 AM	#2 (permalink)
emosun Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: usa Posts: 6,910 OS: xp pro sp2 My System	Re: Not sure how to use SLI on new PC for additional GC Ok we gotta straighten out some facts first , what video are you currently using? An onboard 8200? Or a 8400 and 8500? Also , what your experiencing a a hardware limit. Whatever gpu you happen to be using physically cannot run the game at ultra settings with a good framerate. When you do graphics card upgrades , you typically only need one card , especially since your only playing WoW which isn't graphically demanding. You transfer the video to the new card and disable the onboard gpu as it's power will help little to none in comparison to the new gpu. If your looking for a gpu upgrade simply post either the make and model machine , or make and model motherboard. Also the make and model power supply , and your budget. We can then sort out what will work best for you. __________________ Gpu Benchmarks Cpu-Z Power supply information and selection Gpu-Z Video card quick list

09-25-2009, 10:25 AM	#3 (permalink)
Tirinel Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 9 OS: vista sp2?	Re: Not sure how to use SLI on new PC for additional GC I'm using an onboard 8200. AMD Phenom 8550 triple prcessor (3 cpus) is my full processor. But cant i just buy a new graphics card, then, if i have to, disable the onboard card and use the PCI-E one?

09-25-2009, 02:25 PM	#4 (permalink)
emosun Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: usa Posts: 6,910 OS: xp pro sp2 My System	Re: Not sure how to use SLI on new PC for additional GC Yes that's basically the plan. However you still need to post the make and model machine your using or make and model motherboard , and also the power supply make and model , and your budget. __________________ Gpu Benchmarks Cpu-Z Power supply information and selection Gpu-Z Video card quick list

09-25-2009, 02:34 PM	#5 (permalink)
Tirinel Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 9 OS: vista sp2?	Re: Not sure how to use SLI on new PC for additional GC My budget would be about, well, 0-60 pounds. But havent i given you the make and model of machine...?

09-25-2009, 02:48 PM	#6 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,389 OS: Win7	Re: Not sure how to use SLI on new PC for additional GC No we're looking for the the Brand like Dell, HP, Gateway. and a Model like in a Dell Dimension 9250. __________________ Power Supply and Selection

09-25-2009, 05:17 PM	#8 (permalink)
FlashMyBIOS Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: OH Posts: 89 OS: Vista 64 sp2 My System	Re: Not sure how to use SLI on new PC for additional GC buy a 9500GT for 60 bucks and play wow. (if it was me on 60 bucks) you cannot use the 8200 and 8500 and 8400 together. yes disable the onboard use the PCI E I believe the 8 series as long as its the same GPU you can run those 2 different cards in sli hybrid but they will default to the slower cards spec's. the onboard is your problem with wow at ultra high.

09-26-2009, 03:18 AM	#9 (permalink)
Tirinel Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 9 OS: vista sp2?	Re: Not sure how to use SLI on new PC for additional GC Okay, i think i've found it now. My model is Aspire X1300 and my make is Acer. Last edited by Tirinel; 09-26-2009 at 03:23 AM.

09-26-2009, 03:27 AM	#10 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,389 OS: Win7	Re: Not sure how to use SLI on new PC for additional GC There is another set of numbers after Aspire X1300, they will look like U1801A or BD7550A, But most likely the power supply is going to be too small as OEM systems are usually only fitted with a supply large enough to power what the OEM installs in them. Pull the side cover off the PC and give us the brand and model of the power supply along with the amps list for the 12v rail(s). __________________ Power Supply and Selection

09-26-2009, 12:15 PM	#11 (permalink)
FlashMyBIOS Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: OH Posts: 89 OS: Vista 64 sp2 My System	Re: Not sure how to use SLI on new PC for additional GC lol I noticed 90% of the posts i see always recommend a new PSU you guys sell em or something? Video card over heating (you need a new PSU) Won't boot past logo screen (you need a new PSU) RAM problems (you need a new PSU) Hard disk problems (you need a new PSU) I think someones getting kick backs from some manufacturer.. lol j/k

09-26-2009, 01:01 PM	#12 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,426 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: Not sure how to use SLI on new PC for additional GC No profitable gain for any of us. If you work on very many PC's you learn very quickly that low quality under powered PSU's are the reason or the cause of many problems. __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

09-26-2009, 03:50 PM	#13 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,389 OS: Win7	Re: Not sure how to use SLI on new PC for additional GC Has a lot to do with PSU found on the market today, few years back you could get away with a low power unit the chipsets and video cards today need more reliable power. __________________ Power Supply and Selection

09-26-2009, 08:48 PM	#14 (permalink)
FlashMyBIOS Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: OH Posts: 89 OS: Vista 64 sp2 My System	Re: Not sure how to use SLI on new PC for additional GC can't argue that. this TX750 was as low as I would be willing to go these days.

10-05-2009, 05:52 AM	#15 (permalink)
Tirinel Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 9 OS: vista sp2?	Re: Not sure how to use SLI on new PC for additional GC I think my power supply goes up to 80w. can i run a graphics card above 512mb?

10-05-2009, 07:18 AM	#16 (permalink)
emosun Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: usa Posts: 6,910 OS: xp pro sp2 My System	Re: Not sure how to use SLI on new PC for additional GC I'm surprised the pc starts with 80watts __________________ Gpu Benchmarks Cpu-Z Power supply information and selection Gpu-Z Video card quick list

10-05-2009, 08:37 AM	#17 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,426 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: Not sure how to use SLI on new PC for additional GC Is this the PC you have? If so, it has a 220W PSU and you need to replace it to use a dedicated graphics card. http://reviews.cnet.com/desktops/ace...tag=mncol;psum __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

10-09-2009, 06:29 AM	#18 (permalink)
Tirinel Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 9 OS: vista sp2?	Re: Not sure how to use SLI on new PC for additional GC im starved for cash atm. Isn't their any ded. gc that can run on a 220? (that is my pc) please.. save me someone.

10-09-2009, 07:45 AM	#19 (permalink)
Tirinel Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 9 OS: vista sp2?	Re: Not sure how to use SLI on new PC for additional GC yep. it's 220-240 v.

10-09-2009, 11:43 AM	#20 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,389 OS: Win7	Re: Not sure how to use SLI on new PC for additional GC Voltage and wattage are not the same thing, the 220v is what comes out of the wall to power the supply, the wattage is what the supply puts out, there is a label on the side of the power supply inside the case that will tell you the total wattage of output and the amp rating of the 12v rail, a 220w unit will have a single 12v rail, to run a PCIe card you need at least 26 amps available on the 12v rail(s). __________________ Power Supply and Selection