Really Really Confused

[BigRazer93]

Hello, since the new drivers have come out, i've been thinking, 5850's in cf or a single 5870?

Its really hard, obv 5850's in cf will be faster than a single 5870 but how far in dirt 2?

Any views, thanks.

 

[twist3d0n3]

1 gpu = smoother gameplay

2x gpus = higher fps

generally speaking

 

[arc@css]

1 gpu = smoother gameplay

2x gpus = higher fps

generally speaking

This.
In my experience I would tend to agree.

 

[raralis]

Is crossfire/sli that bad compared to using single gpus?

I know that it was the case with the 7xxx and 8xxx series for nvidia but that was ages ago.

Shouldn't it have improved by now?

 

[hyperst]

it plays at 60 fps now, thats at 8xAA , v sync on, ultra settings, and 1680x1050 res and this is with crossfire 5770's, so crossfire 5850 might get you the same result as this game suffers bad from tearing so v sync has to be enabled

 

[arc@css]

Is crossfire/sli that bad compared to using single gpus?

I know that it was the case with the 7xxx and 8xxx series for nvidia but that was ages ago.

Shouldn't it have improved by now?

Crossfire / Sli is good and I think quite well supported. Just in my case I have only experimented with it once by using a 4870X2. The plus side of it was good but I didn't find it as smooth as a single gpu (so far), only had this new card for a few days and am naturally testing it out. So all in all some games ran very well, some I was a little disappointed with. It took me a while to realise it though.

 

[raralis]

Crossfire / Sli is good and I think quite well supported. Just in my case I have only experimented with it once by using a 4870X2. The plus side of it was good but I didn't find it as smooth as a single gpu (so far), only had this new card for a few days and am naturally testing it out. So all in all some games ran very well, some I was a little disappointed with. It took me a while to realise it though.

Is it shuttering due to low fps in those games or just cause it's on a Xfire based gpu?

 

[Angst]

1 overclocked 5850 = 5870.
it just depends how much you want to spend.

 

[Clairvoyant]

1 gpu = smoother gameplay

2x gpus = higher fps

generally speaking

But isnt higher FPS the same as smoother.

Or have I missed something.

 

[raralis]

But isnt higher FPS the same as smoother.

Or have I missed something.

That's what I thought too until I found out about micro shuttering which happens when using multiple gpus.

Micro shuttering is when a frame from 1 gpu is displayed a bit out of sync with the other frame from the 2nd gpu.

It used to be a problem with older gpus and I thought it didn't happen anymore with new ones.

Essentially I'm trying to find out if the shuttering happens due to multiple gpus being used at the same time or due to low fps (something that even a single gpu would have problems with anyway)

 

[fornowagain]

But isnt higher FPS the same as smoother.

Or have I missed something.

http://www.pcgameshardware.de/aid,6...rent-multi-GPU-technologies/Grafikkarte/Test/

Essentially I'm trying to find out if the shuttering happens due to multiple gpus being used at the same time or due to low fps (something that even a single gpu would have problems with anyway)

I used to be aware of it a lot, 9800GX2 etc. Haven't really been noticed its since the 4870X2 tbh.

 

[raralis]

fornowagain, do you notice shutterring on your 5870CF system?

I know the 9800gx2 had horrible problems with shuttering.

 

[Clairvoyant]

So then xfire is not worth it. Is that correct.

 

[fornowagain]

fornowagain, do you notice shutterring on your 5870CF system?

I know the 9800gx2 had horrible problems with shuttering.

Nope, but then generally frame rates are so high its not surprising.

So then xfire is not worth it. Is that correct.

Its much better than the early days. Works well most of the time.

 

[mmj_uk]

I used to be aware of it a lot, 9800GX2 etc. Haven't really been noticed its since the 4870X2 tbh.

I imagine it's something you get used to over time.

 

[BigRazer93]

Hmmm thanks for your views, I just don't know what to do. I know you can overclock the 5850 like crazy, past the 5870 but not 24/7? With the 5850's in cf, they may cost more but you are guarenteed to play all upcoming games on max with no problems atall, where as with the 5870, you may have to think...... Hmmm. Really tuffy, need to decide by thursday.

 

[raralis]

Get a 5850. Play games at max settings.

When a new game starts to run slow, buy another 5850 and CF (at that point the price should have dropped).

Option B: Wait for the Overrated Fermi from nVidia.

 

[Nameless_87]

Hmmm thanks for your views, I just don't know what to do. I know you can overclock the 5850 like crazy, past the 5870 but not 24/7? With the 5850's in cf, they may cost more but you are guarenteed to play all upcoming games on max with no problems atall, where as with the 5870, you may have to think...... Hmmm. Really tuffy, need to decide by thursday.

Buy a single 5870... can run anything at max settings... after some time when it cant anymore just buy another one, prices would have dropped too so you will have 5870 CF

 

[BigRazer93]

Buy a single 5870... can run anything at max settings... after some time when it cant anymore just buy another one, prices would have dropped too so you will have 5870 CF

From what you have said, I really like the idea. They should go to around £250 maybe when the fermi comes out which will make it a steel. Leaning towards a single 5870 for now

 

[Deleted member 76686]

I had a 4870X2 which suffered a memory failure, it was a great card without question but all dual GPU setups can be very fickle and I'm happy to be going to a single GPU solution in the form of a 5870.