How many have given up on SLI/Crossfire?

[eyetrip]

I tried it with 7900GS many moons ago and went back to single GPU

I tried it way back with 3850's, and went back to single GPU.

I tried with 4850's and went back to single GPU.

Currently have 6950 Toxic's and am considering going back to single GPU.

It's just so hard getting consistent performance without issues of one type or another.

Take for example, BF3. Sure, it reports high frame rates, but just never felt right. Tried disabling X-Fire last night, and while the frame rate as reported by Afterburner was lower, it just felt so much smoother and easier to play.

It's not just BF 3 though. Metro 2033 just doesn't feel right with crossfire.

Only reason I decided to go X-fire was because I went 2560x1440, but am considering just resorting to dropping settings.

What your guys experience?

 

[eyetrip]

I find that yes, I do get higher max frame rates but it also gives me higher average frame rates, which in turn give a smoother playing experience.

But thats the problem. At least for me. X-Fire provides higher frame rates according to afterburner, but it just doesn't feel smoother.

Sometimes it will be smooth in X-fire, but then it will feel juddery again (without frame rate noticeably dropping), when will go smooth again.

It's the inconsistency that drives me mental. It's just that once again, I am spending more time mucking about trying to get things running nicely, than playing any games.

 

[eyetrip]

Well, there are things I have done which seem to improve things, such as putting card with 1536 shaders as primary, and using on-board sound rather than hdmi for audio.

I really want to use hdmi for audio though (even though I don't use it for display as my monitor 2560x1440) so can get 5.1 audio. My onboard won't allow for 5.1 and is matx board, so no space for sound card. Having the hdmi connected seems to affect performance sometimes...

Am desperately trying to avoid upgrading mobo and cpu here, as i have already spent a ton.

I have noticed in BF3, that for the game to appear smooth, a single gpu must run around 40+ fps for me, but for crossfire, it needs to run 80+ fps to appear smooth.

I know there is v-sync, but sometimes that makes things worse for some reason.

I have on more thing to try tonight with regards to using my hdmi for audio, before decide if am going to keep crossfire, or go back to single.

If go single, will just need to lower settings til faster cards are out.

But damn, 2560x1440 hammers cards!

 

[eyetrip]

Currently have 11.10 and CAP 4 installed.

BF3

With crossfire, all Ultra apart from turning AA off is smooth at 2560 x 1440.

Without v-sync is usually around 80 fps, with drops to around mid 50's. Soon as drops below 70ish starts feeling bit juddery.

With v-sync, typically keeps 60 fps with GPU usage around 80%. Sometimes things too intense and drop to around mid 50's - can definitely feel diff when it drops below 60

With single GPU at 2560x1440 I manage all high with no AA and SSAO rather than HBAO.

This typically keeps the FPS from 40 to 50, though might see the odd drop below 40 momentarily. When i goes below 40 it can start to feel a bit juddery.

Have to say, while I have not spent much time on single GPU, it somehow feels better at lower settings than crossfire at higher.

Tried for a bit this morning, and just seemed to be able to aim much better, whereas with crossfire I just seem to be a terrible shot.