One Answer To A One Question Questionaire: Part I . . .

We asked you about video cards and how many you have/want the other day, and this is what you told us:

1) Describe your current video situation:

  • a) I have an SLI system with two video cards in it, and I’ll do it again for my next upgrade: 5%
  • b) I have an SLI system with two video cards in it, and I won’t do it again for my next upgrade: 2%
  • c) I have an SLI system with one video card in it, and I’m definitely going to buy a second one for it: 3%.
  • d) I have an SLI system with one video card in it, but maybe/definitely I’m not going to get a second for it: 14%
  • e) I have a single video card system, but I will definitely go to an SLI system the next time I upgrade: 5%
  • f) I have a single video card system, and maybe I’ll go to an SLI system next time around: 18%
  • g) I have a single video card system, and I probably/definitely won’t go SLI next time around 54%

    The reason why I asked was to answer the following:

  • Just how mainstream had SLI become, and how likely was it going to become in the near future, and
  • How satisfied were people who had complete SLI systems, or had taken the first step to do so later.

    The answer to the first set of questions was “Not really.” While SLI isn’t a freakish phenomenon, it is a decidedly minority configuration, with only 13% of those polled definitely committed to it, and if you include a portion of the maybes, perhaps 20-25% in the long run.

    That’s not the impression one might get looking after reviews.

    For the second set of questions, while satisfaction is fairly high (71%) among those who already have it, it’s hardly overwhelming.

    What was surprising was the high percentage of those who bought the board initially expecting to add a second video card later, but now have at least somewhat cold feet about Act Two (82%). While a good chunk of these people will probably end up getting the second card, that still leaves a very high percentage of people changing their minds about the value of SLI. This is something the 18% who are thinking about SLI next upgrade ought to consider before buying.

    What did the “Nos” have to say? Well, a lot of them said “No” pretty emphatically. 🙂 Why “No?” In a phrase, “too much.” Too much expense, too much heat, too much power required. It’s not too likely those who think this way are going to change their minds unless the “toos” get addressed.

    To close, we’re not going to close this topic, but will post good/representative comments you made early next week, emphasizing those comments from those who put one or both feet into SLI.

    Thanks to all for all the answers!

    Ed


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