Graphics Thinking of going crossfire

Discussion in 'Hardware' started by Ending Credits, 6 Jun 2009.

  1. Ending Credits

    Ending Credits Bunned

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    That's almost 2x scaling there but I think overall it's just not worth it; easier to save the money and put it towards a new system when the time comes.
     
  2. TobyKing1982

    TobyKing1982 Minimodder

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    So the way I am reading that review is 2 4870's in crossfire perform better in them games that a single 4870x2?

    I was having the same dilema should I buy another 4870 or what? My mind is decided for another 100 quid I can have vastly improved performance. Then when the new 5000 series comes out I can then sell my 4870's.

    Earlydoors thats a great post. You answered the question that was asked.
     
  3. crosshair

    crosshair It's life Jim but not as we know it

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    Graphs like the one above always make for impressive reading, and indeed, 2 x 4870s scale better than one 4870X2 on this particular game. HOWEVER, your not going to witness 79.6 FPS on any current monitor.
    A real-time frame is the time it takes to complete a full round of the system's processing tasks. If the frame rate of a real-time system is 60 Hertz, the system reevaluates all necessary inputs and updates the necessary outputs 60 times per second under all circumstances.
    In other words, if you crank a game to anything greater than 60 FPS, and your monitor's frequency is set at 60Htz, then the extra frames are discarded. The monitor simply cannot process them.
    2 X 4870s = 79.6 FPS
    4870X2 =70.8 FPS
    Conclusion: Both set-ups will appear EXACTLY the same to your eye.
     
    Last edited: 8 Jun 2009
  4. Ending Credits

    Ending Credits Bunned

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    Yes but the point is that this shows te performance of the card, i.e 2x4870 is abour 10% better than a 4870x2
     
  5. crosshair

    crosshair It's life Jim but not as we know it

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    Of course, it could be argued that two GPUs on two cards are still better than 2 GPUs on one card, but it doesn't take into account the associated problems of having two cards fitted instead of one; including loss of bandwidth.
    A true measure would be on something like Crysis Warhead, where the FPS would be considerably less than 60. Then, if it was still 10% quicker, I'd have to concede defeat.
     
  6. crosshair

    crosshair It's life Jim but not as we know it

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    It's a hot topic this!

    As a point of note. If you were in the market for an upgrade and didn't have either set-up, then plumping for a X2 over a 2X would be better bang per buck wise, but waiting for the next series is proberbly better all round...
     
  7. earlydoors

    earlydoors Minimodder

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    Same article, Crysis Warhead - 1920x1200, Gamer

    [​IMG]

    Bear in mind that these benchmarks were run on a very high end system, so not everyone would be able to attain those framerates if they were to crossfire HD4870s (or whatever) -

    Processor Core i7-965 Extreme 3.2GHz
    Motherboard Gigabyte EX58-UD5
    Memory Corsair Dominator TR3X6G1600C8D - 6GB (3 DIMMs)
     
  8. TobyKing1982

    TobyKing1982 Minimodder

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    Still with my 1 4870 card I can expect to see huge improvements by adding another 4870 card as I have a 24inch 16:10 widescreen monitor. I have a i7 920 (which I cant see dragging me back). I have the same motherboard but not quite the same memory. According to the graph above I might be able to see a 50% improvement for 100 quid. Not bad.
     
  9. hotnikkelz

    hotnikkelz What's a Dremel?

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    another 4870 is gonna do awesome man :)
     
  10. crosshair

    crosshair It's life Jim but not as we know it

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    Yes, you can't take into account Core i7, since it has no improvement in gaming over LGA775. But certainly, adding another 4870 does seem to be preferable. I concede defeat.:waah: TESTICALS :waah:
     
  11. flame696

    flame696 Terminating People Since 1980....

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    well i have just recieved my second sapphire 1gb 4870 (bought brand new from ebay for £112) and i have just tested it on crysis warhead and 3dmark06 and its jsut blown me away. on crysis warhead i used to play on the 'GAMER' setting but it used to stutter now im playing on 'ENTHUSIASTIC' setting and its so smooth and its a joy playing now. on 3dmark06 when on stock cpu setting i got about 13000 with 1 card now on stock i get 19000 (i havent tested it when overclocked yet)

    Yes theres power consumption and there is alot of heat (espcially as my cards are really close together) but i have a antec 1200 to cool it down.

    For anyone whos looking 2 go down the route on getting another 4870 i suggest just do it you wont regret it. Best £100 i have spent in years
     
  12. IDave

    IDave What's a Dremel?

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    If buying a second card, doesit matter if you buy the same make as your existing card?
     
  13. hotnikkelz

    hotnikkelz What's a Dremel?

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    Told you it would be awesome ;)
    Good going man.

    Look for better coolers though
     
  14. TobyKing1982

    TobyKing1982 Minimodder

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    No it doesnt have to be identical. However if one has better specs than the other one then it will automatically be 'downgraded' to the other card.
     

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