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I don't understand Sli or Crossfire

SlugForAButt

SlugForAButt

SlugForAButt

Soldato
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Well, like I said. I need to know a few things.
Do you need similar/same type boards?
Do you need special software?
How do you set it up?

Atm I'm running 4870, but I'm guessing the principle is the same for both manufacturers.

Just some plain speaking would be nice please.
 
with crossfire you can pair it up with other brands or even a 4850

sli is much more strict, must be the same model/brand
 
Thx Antran, this is what I needed to know. Not how to Google (thx though EssexBoy).
So with Crossfire I can mix 'n match?
 
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ASUS P5Q will run Crossfire fine.

Buying another 4870/50 will increase performance.

No special software just the latest CCC and enable "crossfirex" in the CCC's control panel.

Edit - Added note, it has to be the same generation I believe with ATi so any 4xxx series will work. I think.
 
So will it make much difference sticking a 4850 in with my 4870?
I'm running an o'c 7500 @ 4Ghz, is that going to bottleneck before the Crossfire?
 
What's your resolution?

And also the 4850 will sort of hinder the 4870 so probably best getting another 4870 they're pretty cheap now anyways.

CrossFire Chart

Also that CPU shouldn't bottleneck it, depends what game you'll be playing, such as GTAIV, ArmA 2... etc. you'll see slower performance on a Dual core. (Why can't I ever bloody remember all quad core recommended games I don't know)
 
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If you put a 4850 in with your 4870, the 4870 will run at the same speed at the 4850.

Any combination always runs at the slowest cards speed.
Generally you will need all cards to be similiar model.
 
Lol, that's a moot point.
I like max res (1080p), but I mostly run at lower res so my wife can play facebook games properly without shouting me to change the res. :(
 
Do you feel like you need another for more performance?

If you're satisfied with the games performance just now then why bother? :)
 
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I don't feel I need more performance atm.
I also dont need more than a C2D 2.9 atm either but I have it o'c to 4.0Ghz.
But obviously I'd like to know because I don't know atm. That's all.:D
 
No if you add another GPU it just improves the bandwidth.

Eg.
You add another 4870 1GB to one already excisting. It will still be 1GB but with the bandwidth of 2GB.
 
You're right unknownsock. If the VRAM in a game is 500MB then that data will be on both cards and will cap at 1GB. :)
 
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