Iwill DN800-SLI: Video Card Options

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Iwill DN800-SLI

DN800-SLI Video Card Options
June 4, 2006

DN800-SLI Introduction • DN800-SLI: A Closer Look • DN800-SLI Chipsets
Overclocking The DN800-SLI • DN800-SLI: Video Card Options
DN800-SLI Specifications • DN800-SLI Conclusion

I decided to update the DN800-SLI review with this page in order to give potential DN800-SLI owners an idea of how much room their SLI setup will have. The DN800-SLI does allow for two video cards, but don't expect to use the latest big fat cards. As we will see, the DN800-SLI does not give much room for running SLI, unless you want to sacrifice one of your PCI 32/33 slots.

DN800-SLI Video Card Choices

I purchased an XFX GeForce 6800 XTreme 256MB DDR3 video card. Currently available for around $135 and a final price of just under $100 (including a $35 rebate which has been active every single month since February), you really can't lose with running an SLI setup with two of these cards as they are very overclockable. As you can see below however, purchasing graphics cards which are thicker than the typical size of one PCI bracket width, is not a good idea--unless you want to sacrifice something.

Iwill DN800-SLI with XFX GeForce 6800 XTreme 256MB DDR3 next to a PCI 32/33MHz USB/Firewire add-on card

Shown below is how close the XFX video card is next to the PCI 32/33 slot. This could pose to be problematic, especially if you need all three PCI 32/33 slots. Currently, most motherboards offer on-board options that were once only achieved by purchasing 3 PCI cards (abundant USB ports, Ethernet ports, etc.) so you may not need all three slots.

Iwill DN800-SLI showing XFX GeForce 6800 XTreme 256MB DDR3 being quite snug next to a PCI 32/33MHz slot

Another angle of the Iwill DN800-SLI showing XFX GeForce 6800 XTreme 256MB DDR3 being quite snug next to a PCI 32/33MHz slot

In my particular case, to avoid possible heating issues, the last two ports will be used. If I run into an emergency, such as needing a PCI modem due to my broadband failing, then I could use the closest slot to the video card temporarily.

Close To The IDE Slots

Shown below is how close a typical video card will come to the IDE and Floppy Drive slots. There is room, but I highly suggest you take note of just how much room you will have before excitingly placing a second video card into the second slot, because it may interfere with the shown IDE slot. Overall, this is just a note of caution and to use prudence.

Video Card Options

If you're willing to sacrifice one of your PCI 32/33 slots, you will be able to run the latest, biggest, fattest, most expensive video card available. If you really need the three slots, then you can still purchase two video cards, but they will need to be the standard thickness as the XFX GeForce 6800 XTreme 256MB DDR3 shown above. Depending on the video card, as in this case, you could remove the large panel covering the video card, thereby letting more air circulate around the fan.