Multi GPU progression

[Champ]

So I'm wondering why the field of multiple gpu setups is not flawless or damn near? Its been used almost as long as there have been graphics cards, but its still not perfect to this day. It seems to be the same problems repeated. I feel like there is a lot of potential power in some of the older gpus that have been replaced. Like example, if you wanted to game at 1600p maxed or 4k smooth, one could get sli 690s or 4 way 680s or 4 way 7970s or crossfire 7990s. Most sites say it won't work do to scaling or just too many gpu. Both dual gpu cards can be had for like $500 a piece.

 

[Champ]

Well, I actually did a little reading and read about the afr method. I read the other could possible work better if it had as much backing as afr.

 

[BarbaricSoul]

The scaling of cards is getting better with each generation, 7970 crossfire give about a 90% boost in performance over a single 7970. I honestly don't expect it to get much better than that.

http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/asus_radeon_hd_7970_crossfire_review,1.html

 

[Shambles1980]

90% is a lot better than i gave them credit for to be fair. always believed that you were more likely to get 30-40% boost..
but 90% is a number that actually seems to make it worth doing. never did see a reason to pay 100% extra for 40% better performance, but if they can achieve 90% pretty constantly. and get none of the dumb issues you usually get with sli/crossfire then i may even think about going cross fire set up my self.

 

[64K]

I don't think Nvidia or AMD spend much time on optimizing drivers for 4 way SLI/Crossfire because so few actually use it. I have only occasionally run across someone on a gaming or tech enthusiast site that does. Generally going over 3 way SLI/Crossfire doesn't add much performance.

 

[Tatty_Two]

I don't think Nvidia or AMD spend much time on optimizing drivers for 4 way SLI/Crossfire because so few actually use it. I have only occasionally run across someone on a gaming or tech enthusiast site that does. Generally going over 3 way SLI/Crossfire doesn't add much performance.

Thats simply because so few platforms support it and those very few that do only offer 4x PCI-E lanes on one or two of the cards, on top of that they are the very high end boards (x79, x58 etc) that probably only command around 5 - 10% of the market share.

I have used 2 cards on a couple of occasions, once SLi and once Crossfire and found both to be pretty much trouble free and despite many still quoting game compatibility issues most games now support multi GPU's, granted not all but things continue to improve I think.

 

[BarbaricSoul]

I have used 2 cards on a couple of occasions, once SLi and once Crossfire and found both to be pretty much trouble free and despite many still quoting game compatibility issues most games now support multi GPU's, granted not all but things continue to improve I think.

My experience has been about the same as yourS Tatty, but I've had more multi-GPU set-ups than you have. I've had the following-

SLI
9800gx2
2 * 9800GTX (I actually had 3 of these at one time, but my motherboard at the time, an EVGA 750 FTW, only supported SLI, not tri-SLI)
2 * GTX 280

Crossfire
2 * HD5870
2 * HD7770

 

[Shambles1980]

may think about getting a second 7850 but would also need a new board if i did that,
always assumed that a second card would be more hassle than its worth so i try and get the fastest single card i can. this means i chose a board with 1x pci-e x16 3.0 slot.

the board i have now does have a open ended pci-e x4 2.0 slot but buying a 7850 to use on that just seems like a waste of money.

 

[Tatty_Two]

may think about getting a second 7850 but would also need a new board if i did that,
always assumed that a second card would be more hassle than its worth so i try and get the fastest single card i can. this means i chose a board with 1x pci-e x16 3.0 slot.

the board i have now does have a open ended pci-e x4 2.0 slot but buying a 7850 to use on that just seems like a waste of money.

In your case I would probably agree with you there, although the origional concept of dual GPU's was as a cost effective performance upgrade, exacty what you are considering. In my case I am considering doing technically the wrong thing, I am about to pull the trigger on 2 Sapphire DualX 280X's, only because I have found them dirt cheap, in fact slightly cheaper than a 290X but with more performance (of course in those optimised games), so might give it a try, if I don't like it at the price I am paying I wouldn't lose by selling one.

 

[Slizzo]

I experimented and had SLI working on my P45 board. When I switched to Sandy I moved the GTX470s to this board.

Now that I have the 780, I am looking at getting another sometime soon so I can max everything out at my current resolution.

 

[GhostRyder]

I guess similar to the consensus here it depends on how many GPU's your running. Both companies generally on the higher side of the cards normally scale at least 90% on the second cards with a few exceptions here and there. When it comes to the Tri/Quad modes its a whole different ball game. Generally AMD has put a bit more focus in 4 way mode and allow more cards to run in the 4 way mode but it drops off on the third card to about 50% and then on the fourth to about 20% give or a take 10%. Its still very dependant on the games but generally speaking for the highest setup in this day and age I would say beyond 3 cards is a poor value.