I just built a pc and the mobo has hybrid SLI and I was wondering is it worth it to use? With that I can only use the GeForce 8400GS or 8500GT. My onboard chipset is the GeForce 8200 on a Biostar mobo. I was about to order an 256MB PNY 8400GS and enable hybrid SLI because it is only $25 after rebate and I dont play many games (Grand Theft Auto games like San Andreas etc.) and the 8400GS with hyrbid SLI enabled is claimed by nvidia's website to make COD4 jump from around 20FPS to almost 40FPS. But I then may need to upgrade later on because I plan to buy Micorsoft Flight Sim X, expansions packs, and controls for such a game and I dont know if an 8500GT or 8400GS with hybrid sli is enough or not? I want and LCD as well as a small 8.9-10" or so screen netbook, so im debating on saving money by getting the 8400GS or just putting out for a higher end card. I wouldnt go past a 9600GT 512MB GDDR3 card or 8800GS etc... I can get those for around and under 100.

The 8400GS & 8500GT are very low end cards. I haven't seen the numbers on the SLi hybrid, but you'd almost certainly be better off with a higher end card. http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews... "If my answers frighten you then you should cease asking scary questions" - Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson) in Pulp Fiction

Thanks for the feedback and the link. If anyone can find any stats on the Hybrid SLi GeForce Boost I would be curious what you gian with it. But I guess I also wouldnt be using any of my system memory for graphics if I just went with a higher card. Will my Raidmax 530watt modular PSU be enough for a 8800 GS, 8800GT or 9600GT? Its not the cheaper workstation psu models that raidmax sells but the gamer or higher end psu models. I dont have regular SLi on my current mobo but the psu is SLi certified and has and option for up to: two- 6 pin graphics power connections or one- 6 pin and one- 8 pin connector. Also even though my mobo has an nVidia graphics chip, can I use ATI for my graphics card and disable the onboard gpu? does it matter? because the link you gave me shows the best $60 card as being ATI, the highest nVidia I will buy would be certian models of 9600GT 512MB GDDR3 or maybe an 8800GS with 384MB memory.

hi toms review quotes the 8200, skip to the conclusion p24, then buy a ati 4850 (pcie1 compatible) they are dropping in price rapido, http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews... your raidmax has a 6 pin connector that fits the ati4850 review http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews...

I want to keep it very close to or below $100 and the ATI 4850 is almost double that.

hi oops sorry i forgot, 1.8$ to £1 , no idea what local prices are in USA. but just looking on tiger direct the 9600 hits your budget, i would maybe wait a bit we had a 30% drop in prices last month.

Yeah our wonderful US dollar has dropped its value. From NewEgg I could get 9600GT, 8800GS or maybe a 9800GT (9800GT will be about $130 US before rebate). Was the 30% drop in prices for all video cards or certain brands, chipsets etc.?