FIRST LOOK: Gigabyte K8NXP-SLI
by Wesley Fink on November 24, 2004 9:00 PM EST- Posted in
- Motherboards
Test Setup
The review of the nVidia SLI reference board did a thorough job of comparing performance of single and dual video cards in standard and SLI configurations. For an in-depth look at SLI, you should start with that review.The goal in this First Look is to first compare performance of the K8NXP-SLI as a motherboard to the top Athlon 64 boards that we have tested. For that reason, we have included performance benchmarks of the nVidia nForce4 Reference board running the same FX55. We also verified performance of the K8NXP-SLI compared to the K8NXP-9. Since they are based on the same design, it is not surprising that base performance with a single nVidia 6800 Ultra were virtually identical between the 2 boards. The same results are therefore reported for both boards running a single 6800 Ultra.
To evaluate SLI performance, we also tested performance of two additional video cards in both single and dual GPU configurations. This included the nVidia Reference GeForce 6800 GT and the Gigabyte 6600GT. In all Athlon 64 benchmarks, the CPU was an AMD FX55 and memory was 2-2-2-10 DDR memory by OCZ. We have no problems in any configuration running the OCZ memory at 2-2-2-10 timings on the K8NXP-SLI.
For reference, test results were also included for the Abit Fatality 925XE 1066FSB running a 3.46EE CPU and an Intel 925X with the 560 3.6GHz 800FSB CPU. All benchmarks on all Reference platforms were run with the PCI Express nVidia 6800 Ultra.
| Performance Test Configuration | |
| Processor(s): | AMD Athlon 64 FX55 (2.6GHz) Socket 939 Intel 3.46EE (1066FSB) Intel 560 (3.6GHz 800FSB) |
| RAM: | 2 x 512MB OCZ PC3200 Platinum Rev. 2 2 X 512MB Micron DDR2-533 |
| Hard Drive(s): | Seagate 120GB 7200 RPM IDE (8MB Buffer) |
| Chipset Drivers:/strong> | nVidia nForce 6.31 Beta (nForce4) |
| Video Card(s): | Gigabyte 6600 GT (PCI Express, Single and SLI) nVidia 6800 GT (PCI Express, Single and SLI) nVidia 6800 Ultra (PCI Express) |
| Video Drivers: | nVidia nForce 61.93 Beta (nForce4 SLI) nVidia nForce 61.81 Beta (nForce4) |
| Operating System(s): | Windows XP Professional SP1 |
| Motherboards: | Gigabyte K8NXP-SLI (nForce4 SLI) Gigabyte K8NXP-9 (nForce4 PCIe) nVidia nForce4 Ultra Reference Board Abit Fatality AA8XE (Intel 925XE) Intel 925X Reference Board |
Since the review of the nVidia SLI had found that the biggest advantage for SLI were higher resolutions with "eye-candy" turned on, we ran both our standard 1024x768 resolution for benchmarks, plus the same benchmarks at 1280x1024 with features like Anti-Aliasing and Anisotropic Filtering at their highest levels wherever that option was conveniently available. The same set of DX9 and DX8.1/Open GL benchmarks were run at both resolutions with both single and dual 6600GT and 6800GT.
To clarify test results, benchmarks are reported in separate graphs for standard results at 1024x768 resolution and enhanced results at 1280x1024. Since 1600x1200 normally requires a 20" or larger flat panel monitor, we did not report 1600x1200 results, since most readers will not run at that resolution. For a complete evaluation of 1600x1200 SLI performance, please refer to the nVidia SLI launch review.
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BenSkywalker - Thursday, November 25, 2004 - link
"To clarify test results, benchmarks are reported in separate graphs for standard results at 1024x768 resolution and enhanced results at 1280x1024. Since 1600x1200 normally requires a 20" or larger flat panel monitor, we did not report 1600x1200 results, since most readers will not run at that resolution."As pointed out by cnq not having even 1600x1200 makes your review of SLI worthless. Honestly, stopping at 1600x1200 is a bit of a joke, who is going to spend $1K on video cards and have some POS display that can't handle a resolution worthy of that kind of cash? SLI testing should START at 1600x1200 and go up to 2048x1536- anything else is pointless. Anyone who purchases dual 6800GTs to run 1280x1024 certainly lacks the capacity to be reading this site as everyone already knows it is nigh pointless.
You may as well test 320x240, it has about the same level of relevance. 1600x1200(for baseline, low end comparisons), 1920x1440 and 2048x1536 are the settings that people who are honestly thinking about ponying up want to see tested.
"Most any decent 19" CRT can support 1600x1200 as you stated, but have you ever tried to play a game at 1600x1200 on a 19" CRT. I tried it just to see for this review and it was pretty ugly. However 16x12 was OK on the 22" Diamondtron, though I prefer 1280x1024 on the 19" flat panels for most gaming."
Why is playing a game on a 19" @16x12 difficult at all? If you have a decent 22" Diamondtron try having someone set one input up for you running 1280x1024 4xAA and the other input running 2048x1536 without AA and see what you think is better. I can't even comment about how 2048x1536 with AA would look as the only people that can run that type of setup right now are those with SLI parts in their hands and unfortunately they haven't deemed us worthy of obtaining that type of knowledge.
Wesley Fink - Thursday, November 25, 2004 - link
#11 - The K8NXP v1.0 and the K8NXP-SLI both ran perfectly at 5X HT, which was the reported issue with the nF4 "bug". All stock benchmarks were run with 5X enabled.Live - Thursday, November 25, 2004 - link
I'll have to agree with Wesley on the resolutions. Most people don't run 1600x1200. SLI as it stays nowlooks limited on lower resolutions but will it when more demanding games are realesed? I think not. So the upgrade option is letting me run future games at max quality without byuing a new top of the line card. Just focusing on 1600x1200 beacuse you own a 2001FP seems rather silly.
Beenthere - Thursday, November 25, 2004 - link
There never was an issue with the nF4 chipset silicon. The A02 runs at 800 MHz HTT as the socket 754 was designed to run and the A03 runs at 1000 MHz HTT as the S939 is designed to do.The original Rev. 1.X A7N8X Mobo was designed to run at 133 MHz FSB as that's what AMD chipsets used for a FSB at the time it was designed. Later when AMD was planning to release the XP 3200 with a 200 MHz FSB, the Rev. 2.0 A7N8X was released. There never was any design defect in the A7N8X it's just a matter of CPU/Mobo evolution.
PCIe is just an evolution also. There is no performance advantage to PCIe over AGP unless you run dual graphics cards in SLI mode.
VIAN - Thursday, November 25, 2004 - link
Wesley, where is 8xAA/16xAF benching.I understand your resolution decision, plus you probably didn't have time to bench it all... but no 8xAA/16xAF. Especially when the 6800Ultra came to a crawl with 8xAA enabled.
That would've kicked ass.
Googer - Thursday, November 25, 2004 - link
Correction:I am wondering, since I have no Interest in running SLI but would like to use an LSI x4 scsi controler in place of the other graphics card. I know you can run a x1 or x2 device (nic?) in slot with a higher number of lanes (x8,x16,x32)and it will function fine.
My questen is because these boards use a semi-proprietary PCI-e setup it possible to use the second (x16 sized) unused PCI-E x16 slot for something else? while running something (i.e. a Graphics Processor) in the main x16 slot. I have a strong suspicion that it is ok; based on the fact that TOMSHADWARE.com Ran both ATI and nVIDIA (x800 and 6800uL) on the same motherboard! Run some Please let me know thanks!
Googer - Thursday, November 25, 2004 - link
#9 Agreed, they are less informed since they like to know as little as they possibly can. Ignorance is bliss. As for you and I, we are much higher up on the totem pole then they.I am wondering, since I have no Interest in running SLI but would like to use an LSI x4 scsi controler in place of the other graphics card.I know you can run an x1 or x2 device in slot with a higher number of lanes (x8,x16,x32) Is it possible to use the unused PCI-E x16 slot for something else? while running somethin in the main x16 slot. I have a strong suspicion that it is ok; based on the fact that TOMSHADWARE.com Ran
both ATI and nVIDIA (x800 and 6800uL) on the same board! Please let me know thanks!
madnod - Thursday, November 25, 2004 - link
it's a good review and it's a good mobo, but what about the reported bug in the NFORCE4 shipset is it fixed yet or no? if no then all this bunch of mobos are going to use the customers and beta tester, i had thsi situation with the ASUS A7N8X deluxe rev 1.3 2 years ago and i still hate asus for that.j@cko - Thursday, November 25, 2004 - link
I guess that their brain is too small to absorb all those info...j@cko - Thursday, November 25, 2004 - link
I don't understand why some people would critize Anand for including too much info... Those people are morons, period.