2) "Is upgrading to SLI worth it?"

  This should be the most important question you have about the possibility of upgrading to SLI. However the tricky part of this question is there is a completely different answer for almost every single person out there. Upgrading to SLI depends not just on what you do with your computer, but just as important, what's IN your computer now.

  You see upgrading to SLI, without a respectable foundation to slam it into, is just wrong. Not only is it just wrong, it will be a big letdown as well most likely. You may be wondering exactly what IS a respectable foundation. Well, let's just say that SLI is considering the pinnacle of graphics horsepower, so if you're running a CPU and chipset from 4yrs ago, it's probably not for you.

  It's no secret that SLI is also for Gamers, video editors and other professionals looking for the absolute most graphics processing power they can get. It's not designed for people who do nothing but check email, surf the web and play solitaire on their computers. And by the way, playing poker online is not so hefty of a graphical consumption that it warrants dual video cards.

  Here's my system specs for a reference point so you can compare your system to my system and see where you stand.

• AMD X2 4400+ Dual Core CPU

• ASUS A8N-SLI Premium MB

• 2 x 1GB Corsair Pro DDR

• (2) XFX Nvidia 7800GT's

• Creative Audigy2 ZS Gamers

• Ultra 500w SLI Ready PSU

  Now looking at those specs above, you should notice that nothing stands out as out of place. It all flows together nicely and makes for a real good modern system. Every system out there usually has something to make it unique in it's own way. Be it different memory, different motherboard, etc.

  There is also different performance levels of SLI. You can SLI two older 6600gt's and you can SLI the newest 512mb 7800GTX's. Huge performance and price gap there. You need to see where you stand.

  If you've got your average 2yr old system and currently have a 6600GT or 6800GT, and are looking for a quick and fairly affordable graphics upgrade, SLI is an option to think about but not an end-all. Adding a 2nd older generation card to your system may or may not help in the ways you're looking for. Also, what's the chances that you're completely happy with the rest of your 2yr old system and only looking for more graphics? Pretty rare I'm guessing.

  Adding SLI to a sub-par system is like putting a Ferrari engine in your Ford Taurus. Sure it might look great under the hood, but does it perform the way it should? Probably not since the rest of the car (suspension, tires, etc) isn't setup or prepared for such power. A computer system works in very much the same way. ALL the components work off each other to create the ultimate result.

  Honestly though, I wouldn't even consider SLI if I had anything other than a 7 series Nvidia card (7800GT, 7800GTX). It's like putting too much money into an old car when you know that something else is just ready to die on you. The new 7800 series graphics cards from Nvidia are far and away superior to the older generations and I would suggest at least the 7800GT as a base for SLI.

  Don't be too hasty to jump on the SLI band-wagon until you've explored every angle on possible improvements or upgrades to your current system. If you've got a 2yr old system and it's running just fine for you and does everything you want it to, then forget SLI. Don't get sucked in by the hype.

  However if you're a heavy gamer and play hours and hours of Battlefield 2, Quake 4, Call of Duty, and/or other highly graphically intense games or applications, and you're already running at least 2GB of Ram and have a modern high performance CPU, then SLI might be a good choice.

  I know my particular system (specs above) runs fantastic and it's on 24/7. At the time of this articles writing, my computers uptime is 3 full weeks without a reboot. And that's probably the last time I was forced to reboot for a windows patch or a driver update. Point being if you're building a new system from scratch and have the cash to go SLI right out of the gate, I can strongly recommend the same components that I have in my system. They work great together.

  Let's not forget the hefty cost to move to a 7800 SLI setup. I cost me $400 x2 to get to this stage. Now you can do it for around $300 x2, but that's still $300 more dollars that could give you a much needed memory upgrade instead. 2GB of ram is truly the new standard for any enthusiast. Everything is just so smooth now for me.

  So bottom line on: "Is upgrading to SLI worth it?"

If you've already upgraded, modernized, and/or maxed out your system in every other way including motherboard, at least 2GB of memory and high performance CPU, then yes SLI will give you more graphical horsepower to wrestle high resolution settings in gaming or professional applications. Otherwise, look at the upgrading the foundation of your system first and leave SLI for the last upgrade.

Tell me what you think about your SLI setup and discuss this in the VH Forums!