Asus Extreme N6600GT x 2 - Revisiting SLI
Introduction, Specifications, and Bundle
A few months ago, we assessed the performance of a pair of GeForce 6800 GTs and a pair of GeForce 6800 Ultras running in SLI-mode, and were impressed by the platform's performance. We did have some concerns over driver support and the TCO of the platform, however. NVIDIA's current SLI (Scalable Link Interface) technology requires a specific profile be integrated into the drivers that dictates whether alternate frame rendering (AFR) or split-frame rendering (SFR) can be used for a particular application, and without that profile SLI won't function correctly. And a pair of GeForce 6800-class cards plus an nForce 4 SLI motherboard commands a significant monetary investment, so the technology isn't for everyone.
Today though, we're approaching SLI from a different angle. We've acquired a pair of SLI-capable Asus Extreme N6600GT, GeForce 6600GT based, graphics cards, nForce 4 SLI motherboards have gotten much more affordable than they were at launch, and we're working with the third official set of SLI-enabled Forceware drivers to be released. NVIDIA's SLI technology has matured nicely since we first wrote about it in December, and the cost of a pair of GeForce 6600GTs and an SLI capable motherboard is much easier to justify than its high-end dual-6800 based cousin. Read on to see what we think of a mid-range SLI configuration like this one, by way of a pair of Asus Extreme N6600 GTs...
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CINEFX 3.0 SHADING ARCHITECTURE
64-BIT TEXTURE FILTERING AND BLENDING
INTELLISAMPLE 3.0 TECHNOLOGY
ULTRASHADOW II TECHNOLOGY
ADVANCED ENGINEERING
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ADVANCED VIDEO AND DISPLAY FUNCTIONALITY
NVIDIA DIGITAL VIBRANCE CONTROL (DVC) 3.0
OPERATING SYSTEMS
API SUPPORT
* The operating system or APIs can impose limits, but the hardware does not limit shader program length. |
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Asus included a well balanced assortment of accessories and software with the Extreme N6600GT, especially considering this is a mid-range video card targeted at budget-conscious gamers. Bundled with the card itself, we found a simple user's manual that outlines the card's main features and installation, an S-Video cable, and a DVI-to-DB15 adapter. Along with these accessories, Asus included a plastic CD case as well, that held copies of Novalogic's Joint Operations: Typhoon Rising, AsusDVD DVD playback software, Cyberlink PowerDirector 3DE, and Medi@Show SE v2.14. There was also another pair of CDs included in the retail package, that contained all of the necessary drivers to install the Extreme N6600GT, and a copy of Asus' proprietary "Game Face" application, a real-time audio/video communications program that works in conjunction with a webcam and microphone.
