View Full Version : PC Graphics card question - Single or dual card
DarrenSV650S
23-10-12, 03:28 AM
Just now I've got this graphics card https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-294-SP
It's fine for most things but sometimes when I'm playing games my fps drops down to 30 or 20 which is pretty noticeable. My question is would it be better to get another identical card or upgrade to a better single card?
I've heard dual cards can help things run smoother. And quite often I run my tv as a secondary monitor to watch youtube or films. So I was thinking I could have the tv output in the second card.
Opinions?
SoulKiss
23-10-12, 11:15 AM
Does your motherboard support Dual Cards (Called Crossfire when its ATI cards)?
If not then this is a moot point.
If so, check and see if Crossfire will work with mis-matched cards (the nVidia version of this does) and then you can get an upgraded card AND use your old one.
TheRamJam
23-10-12, 11:31 AM
Does your GFX card use a separate power lead straight from the PSU??
A thing about running two cards means you need a good powerful PSU.
What wattage is your PSU?
I think you may have limited options with the crossfire.
http://sites.amd.com/PublishingImages/Public/Graphic_Illustrations/WebBannerJPEG/AMD_CrossfireX_Chart_1618W.jpg
Also according to benchmarks I dont see the a 2x performance when using crossfire. I run 2 x 5850 with 2 monitors and can see the performance gain using 2 cards. My gpus run 97- 100% through out the day
hindle8907
23-10-12, 12:29 PM
Just invest in a decent single GFX card - Crossfire/SLI is a good option when your cards are starting to age and you want a cheap way to get a bit more performance buy grabing a second hand card off ebay.
Not always the case though as some games don't optimise SLI/Crossfire very well on the other hand some do, but with that card I would say get rid and replace for something Med-High end of last gen that's been discontinued if you want to game at a decent FPS.
Im running a 2GB Ati 6950 with an i7 3770k / 8GB ram and the 6950 copes with everything I throw at it at a decent FPS.
DarrenSV650S
23-10-12, 04:53 PM
Apparently my mobo and gpu both support dual cards. It's a 750W psu. My gpu uses power from the mobo only. Does it not matter having mismatched cards then?
mobo: https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-468-AS
hindle8907
23-10-12, 05:28 PM
Apparently my mobo and gpu both support dual cards. It's a 750W psu. My gpu uses power from the mobo only. Does it not matter having mismatched cards then?
mobo: https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-468-AS
Yes they have to be same cards.
Sorry if you re read my post, I should of made it more clear.
I would ditch your current card and get a better single card.
you can run similar cards in the range as per the chart above if using crossfire. I have run an nvidia 550ti and 5850 in the same machine but that wasnt to play games
SoulKiss
23-10-12, 07:05 PM
you can run similar cards in the range as per the chart above if using crossfire. I have run an nvidia 550ti and 5850 in the same machine but that wasnt to play games
nVidia (SLi) is different from ATi Crossfire.
Its more flexible you see :)
hindle8907
23-10-12, 07:38 PM
I think you can mix and match a little with certain cards but I wouldn't personally.
Too much hassle for not much gain as the slower card would bottle neck the faster card in most cases.
yep I was hedging my bets as to which way I wanted to go (SLi V crossfire)..in the end it was amd. Much better hash rate ;)
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