GTX 260 SLI or GTX 285 SLI.... (XP 32 bit)

571 Views 5 Replies 4 Participants Last post by TheSandman, Mar 13, 2009

Blackout

Discussion Starter · Mar 13, 2009

Ok ok, so I'm stuck at a dilemma at the moment. Recently I just bought an EVGA 260 C216 55nm card (upgraded from an old 8800 GTS 320MB) and I am LOVING IT. However, I have a few options on the table at the moment, and I want to make a decision:

-Buy another GTX 260 55nm and SLI mode.
-Step up to a GTX 285 and buy a second card in the very near future, SLI mode.

Now here's the kicker.....

I'm on Windows XP 32 bit. (Running 2 GB of System ram)

I wanted to know if buying another GTX 260 will in anyway affect my systems stability as far as it concerns with the ram limit that XP32 has. (I think it was something like 3.2 GB ~ 4 GB?)

Anyways, does that ram limit include just the system ram? Or does it include the video card ram as well?

If thats the case, I may need to upgrade to XP 64 bit (which I have) or Vista 64 bit... (which I don't, and prefer not to go near vista due to me playing some older games still)

Please, help?

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The_Rocker

· #2 · Mar 13, 2009

GTX285 and get another.

The 4GB Mmeory limit on a 32bit OS includes everything, video card memory and even sound card memory.

When I installed XP 32 for benching, I have about 2.2GB to use...

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TheSandman

· #3 · Mar 13, 2009

oh yes, it will, your video cards will use there 1792mb of ram, windows keeps 1gb of ram to itself that you cant touch and is virtual literly, leaving you 1280mb of total system ram on XP. Get a 64bit OS or dont go SLI with more than 512mb of video memory per card. Or your 2gb will turn into a 1.25gb real fast

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Blackout

Discussion Starter · #4 · Mar 13, 2009

so if i were to go GTX 285 SLI:

2 GB of Video card memory
2 GB of system ram.

But you said that XP uses a gig for itself or something? :S

So technically speaking, i'll only be seeing 1.xx gigs of system ram?

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Derp

· #5 · Mar 13, 2009

Another 260 easily. Even if you didnt have one GTX260 already the GTX285's are very expensive for their performance. Check any review, the price/performance is the lowest possible among all cards.

GTX285 = $325 AR for the cheapest with a lifetime warranty.

GTX260 55NM = $180 AR

$145 cheaper EACH.

NOW look at some reviews, for an example:http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3501&p=3

But make sure you check your resolution, for an example at your resolution:

COD WAW

GTX285 = 62.7
GTX260 = 59.7

+ 3 FPS for $145 more?

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TheSandman

· #6 · Mar 13, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackout

yes you will, 1gb is virtual that you cant change, its part of the leagacy codeing comming back from the 16bit days, but its nessacary, I forget excatly what it does, something dealing with the memory, I cant remember, but yes 1gb is reserved space in windows no questions asked. So you will loose either video or system memory, and wont get full memory from an SLI upgrade. I suggest if you like XP to get XP x64 edition, though for the cost of another 260 getting vista would be the better option.

Dont be like the guy that waited on XP SP2 to upgrade from Windows 98 even though his hardware was more than fast enough.

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