Justifying the cost
HC: What was multi-card scaling like before Core i7?
GB: Dependant of what the main usage of your system, multi-card setups have always given added performance, whether you're a gamer or a creative user, multi-card setups will always give you that extra edge to ensure that your render/process time is optimal. As times move on, technology advances and drivers are improved, we can now really start to see the benefits with in performance given from this Multi-GPU setup.
HC: How much of the performance improvement is down to drivers and have these improvements been rolled back to older systems?
GB: Of course drivers play a part, but the hardware is important too - all BFG gaming graphic cards are made with SLI firmly in mind, it's not a tacked on afterthought. As mentioned above TWIMTBP means our drivers are always ready for the latest games and we continuously strive to make these better. I'm sure HEXUS will be able to show that there is a great price-performance across the whole range.
HC: How can you justify the enormous extra cost of a multi-GPU system?
GB: Everyone knows that an ultra high end set-up will be expensive but it is important to get across the idea that the cost is relative. If you have high res screen, SLI is the ONLY way to game on it. After all, you wouldn't put a Ford engine in a Ferrari.
HC: What if you haven't spent a grand on a monitor?
GB: There is huge range of high resolutions monitors within the market that are priced well under a grand and if your Gamer or even into multimedia applications SLI can be fantastic value for money, giving you better overall performance at the higher resolutions. For the channel, it means resellers have more options for the consumer which means they can provide a tailored service that gets their customers the best choice. Consumers love choice, and SLI gives you that.
HC: Don't multi-card technologies primarily exist just to sell more graphics cards?
GB: Does HEXUS only exist to provide the latest cutting edge technology reviews and to sell advertising space? SLI/3-way systems have been created to give the gaming enthusiasts and pro digital artists the performance level that they need to ensure that work flow or game time is not compromised.
HEXUS has completed its own assessment of SLI and Core i7, which you can read here.
