Hi, I currently have eyefinity across 3x 42" screens @ 6240x1080. Got all latest drivers for my hardware etc.. On max settings at that resolution on some games (Just Cause 2 / Dirt 3) my fps drops to around 25 and gameplay starts to suffer, however the average fps I am getting on the benchmarks for those games is 45 to 50. I am thinking of upgrading to a pcie ssd but not sure if that would fix the bottleneck. Any suggestions / ideas on which component is the culprit would be appreciated. Current Spec: FX 8150 @ 4.2GHz / Asus M5a97 pro / 8Gb Corsair Vengeance 1866MHz RAM / OCZ Agility 3 SSD / Radeon HD 7970. Would be nice to get seamless gameplay at that resolution.
Where's my bottleneck?
- Thread starter currob
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SSD isn't going to help frame rates. Your bottleneck is likely to be your graphics card. At that resolution you really need to consider going to SLI/crossfire otherwise you're going to need to reduce settings to get playable FPS.
And Eyefinity across 3 TV's? Seriously? Pics
And Eyefinity across 3 TV's? Seriously? Pics
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Ok, if it's GPU then I need to get a new mobo as mine only gives pcie x16, x4 in dual mode for xfire, if it's CPU then I need a new mobo as I will need to switch to Intel. So new mobo it is, question is which route... stay with AMD and go for 7970 xfire (buy new mobo and 2nd 7970) or switch to Intel (buy new mobo and cpu) and see how single 7970 performs?
How do i upload you a pic Rusty? Just keeps asking for hyperlink.
How do i upload you a pic Rusty? Just keeps asking for hyperlink.
I don't know enough about AMD CPU's to give any recommendation on the benefits of your current CPU and switching to Intel. I'm sure someone will help.
You need to upload the image then get the direct image link (the link that goes straight to the image - should end in .jpg) and then use
tags.
I still feel that you're GPU bottlenecked though so an additional graphics card should be where you look next.
You need to upload the image then get the direct image link (the link that goes straight to the image - should end in .jpg) and then use
I still feel that you're GPU bottlenecked though so an additional graphics card should be where you look next.
It's simple to check where the bottleneck is, but it 100% isn't the hard drive (/sdd).
If you open GPU-z (sensors tab) and task manager while you play, then minimize the game you will see which utilisation is higher.
If the CPU is being taxed more than the GPU, you're CPU is the bottleneck.
If the GPU is being taxed more than the CPU, you're GPU is the bottleneck.
However, at that resolution I'm pretty sure the graphics card is the bottleneck.
If you open GPU-z (sensors tab) and task manager while you play, then minimize the game you will see which utilisation is higher.
If the CPU is being taxed more than the GPU, you're CPU is the bottleneck.
If the GPU is being taxed more than the CPU, you're GPU is the bottleneck.
However, at that resolution I'm pretty sure the graphics card is the bottleneck.
Soldato
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I'm using a similar GPU and resolution to you (7970 @ CCC limits 1125/1525 and 5760x1080). Exactly what settings are you running JC2 and Dirt3 at? I can run them when I get home tonight and let you know what kind of FPS I get. That way we can compare to yours and tell whether an Intel chip will be an improvement over your current AMD. Won't be scientific, but should be a close enough comparison to see if the GPU is bottlenecking.
If it helps, I can also move the games onto another 120GB SSD I've got (Kingston Now V100+ or something similarly named) and re-run them, but as others have said I would be amazed if the HDD turned out to be the bottleneck.
The only downer is I'm not going straight home after work today, so will probably be between 9-11 before I get home to try it.
If it helps, I can also move the games onto another 120GB SSD I've got (Kingston Now V100+ or something similarly named) and re-run them, but as others have said I would be amazed if the HDD turned out to be the bottleneck.
The only downer is I'm not going straight home after work today, so will probably be between 9-11 before I get home to try it.
Ok, it's GPU.. thanks rickh. Sensors during Dirt 3 show GPU utilisation at 100% and CPU ~ 35% so it's gonna be another 7970 for me. Thanks for offer confused_stu, if you are interested in comparison my avg fps on 'concrete jungle' benchmark using all settings on max @ 6240x1080 is 41.2fps. Would using my current mobo for xfire at x16, x4 be any good or would there be much difference in performance if I bought a x16, x16 mobo?
Soldato
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Finally got around to actually running this, and you've got me beaten by almost a third! I am getting 33.73 FPS on that map with all settings on max. That's with my 7970 at the CCC limits of 1125/1575.
Any chance of a screenshot of your benchmark? Wondering if maybe our definition of "max" is different because I am at a loss to explain the difference if we're both using the same settings.
Crossfire will still work in 16x / 4x, just a tad bit slower. You could simply buy a second card first and see how it performs, and if your happy with that then you don't need anything else.
Another idea would be to wait for a 7990 dual GPU card, as this will give you crossfire on a single 16x slot, and you could even keep your current card in the 4x slot for trifire, or sell it.
Another idea would be to wait for a 7990 dual GPU card, as this will give you crossfire on a single 16x slot, and you could even keep your current card in the 4x slot for trifire, or sell it.