PC Graphics card question - Single or dual card - SV650.org

DarrenSV650S · 23-10-12, 03:28 AM

Just now I've got this graphics card https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showp...odid=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?

pookie · 23-10-12, 11:33 AM

I think you may have limited options with the crossfire.
http://sites.amd.com/PublishingImage...hart_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/showp...odid=MB-468-AS

hindle8907 · 23-10-12, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarrenSV650S

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/showp...odid=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.

pookie · 23-10-12, 06:27 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

SoulKiss · 23-10-12, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pookie

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.

23-10-12, 03:28 AM	#1
DarrenSV650S Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Dundee Posts: 4,414	PC Graphics card question - Single or dual card Just now I've got this graphics card https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showp...odid=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?

23-10-12, 11:15 AM	#2
SoulKiss Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sunny Croydonia Posts: 6,124	Re: PC Graphics card question - Single or dual card 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. __________________ Sent from my PC NOT using any Tapatalk type rubbish!! █╬╬╬╬(•)i¯i▀▀▀▀▀█Ξ███████████████████████████████)

23-10-12, 11:31 AM	#3
TheRamJam Member Mega Poster Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: North East Glasgow, UK Posts: 1,138	Re: PC Graphics card question - Single or dual card 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? __________________ Previous: Suzuki SV650S K9 - Sold Suzuki GSXR1000 K8 - Wrote Aff Honda Fireblade RR-9 - Sold Yamaha MT 10 - Sold Current Bike: Aprilia Tuono V4 Factory

23-10-12, 11:33 AM	#4
pookie Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Essex Posts: 938	Re: PC Graphics card question - Single or dual card I think you may have limited options with the crossfire. http://sites.amd.com/PublishingImage...hart_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 __________________ "an unedifying exercise in postmodern, operatic grunge" Was - 2000 Candy blue sv650s -2003 Sonic silver sv1000s Gone - 2007 Wildfire Orange Ninja zx6r Now - 2010 Triton blue sv650s -Back to the future

23-10-12, 12:29 PM	#5
hindle8907 Member Mega Poster Join Date: May 2009 Location: Manchester Posts: 1,492	Re: PC Graphics card question - Single or dual card 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. __________________ 2006-2007 -- Gilera Runner 50 - Sold 2007-2008 -- Hyosung XRX125 - Stolen 2009-2010 -- 05 SV650n - CAT - B 2010-Now -- 00 SV650s & 00 SV650n & GSXR 600 K2 Last edited by hindle8907; 23-10-12 at 12:38 PM.

23-10-12, 04:53 PM	#6
DarrenSV650S Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Dundee Posts: 4,414	Re: PC Graphics card question - Single or dual card 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/showp...odid=MB-468-AS Last edited by DarrenSV650S; 23-10-12 at 04:57 PM.

23-10-12, 06:27 PM	#8
pookie Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Essex Posts: 938	Re: PC Graphics card question - Single or dual 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 __________________ "an unedifying exercise in postmodern, operatic grunge" Was - 2000 Candy blue sv650s -2003 Sonic silver sv1000s Gone - 2007 Wildfire Orange Ninja zx6r Now - 2010 Triton blue sv650s -Back to the future

23-10-12, 07:38 PM	#10
hindle8907 Member Mega Poster Join Date: May 2009 Location: Manchester Posts: 1,492	Re: PC Graphics card question - Single or dual card 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. __________________ 2006-2007 -- Gilera Runner 50 - Sold 2007-2008 -- Hyosung XRX125 - Stolen 2009-2010 -- 05 SV650n - CAT - B 2010-Now -- 00 SV650s & 00 SV650n & GSXR 600 K2

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