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Installing Crossfire

erocker said:
Uninstalling/Installing Video Drivers
CrossFire and Optimization

If those are followed and things still aren't working, use a different version of Catalyst drivers, and make sure your motherboard chipset drivers are up to date.

*I'm a little confused with your PSU. I didn't know that Corsair made a 650W modular PSU. Mine is a 620 watt and is modular. It also only has two 6 pin pci-e connectors. How exactly are you powering both cards?
Click to expand...

Yeah i see it. Must have typed it wrong in system specs. Fixed it. Thanks for noticing.:toast:
I also have 2x 6 pin but with a extra 2 pin attached on both plugs.

I followed the guide. But can not install the updates. It says the update does not apply to my system.
I'm on fresh Vista 64. I tried both Dutch and English updates but no success.
Also tried multiple Catalyst's and followed instructions on how to use driver cleaner pro.
But i really think the Sapphire card is dead because it won't do anything. Tried on 2 comps but nothing. So would be obvious that it crapped out.
 
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The 4870 512 is roughly the same or slightly better than the 3870x2. The 48701Gb would be even better, while your FPS wont exactly increase that much (in all games) it should be a smoother gaming experience and you can use higher levels of texture filtering.
 
So i would be better of with 2 HD4870's then with a power hungry HD3870X2 (that can act up) and a HD3870 in Crossfire?

Also is the difference in memory used on the cards very big. DDR3 against GDDR5?
 
You would be better off and have much better performance. A single 4850 is much better than a 3870 so... 2x 4870 is going to be killer.

the memory really only makes a difference for bandwidth (duh) and really shows it's power at higher resolutions.
 
Guys one last question before i order.:o
I have been looking at the 3Dmark06 scores between the 3870's in Crossfire and the 4870's.
I must say that i am a bit surprised that the difference in score imo is not that great. The HD4870 in Crossfire scores roughly 3000/4000 points more.
Is that worth the money? Saying a HD4870 Crossfire setup would set me back €300. I have a little doubt on spending it.
And if the difference in gaming performance is not hugely improved i think i will settle for 2 brand new MSI RX3870 OC that i can get for about €150.

But if you can convince me that is so much more better in general. Not only purely in benchmarks but for gaming and image quality, for instance with HD/Blue-ray playback. Also considering that i game at 1920x1200.;)
Then i will go for a single HD4870 first and in a week or two buy the second one.:)

They advise a 600w psu for 2 4870's, but they always overdo it a bit so psu wise i will be fine i guess.

I know i go from the one to the other but i just get carried away sometimes.:D
I appreciate your help.

:toast:
 
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Bump.
 
Forget synthetic programs (aka.....3DMark) for finding comparisons. Those programs are absolutely useless for real world results, and are only for benchmark monkeys.

Look for actual frame rate comparisons in the games you play @ 1920x1200, for deciding on your next upgrade path from your current setup.

The final argument is to whether or not what you choose to buy will provide a greater gaming experience (higher frame rates/smoother gameplay/allow for increased use of AA/AF) over what you currently have. Of course price factors in also, so additional figuring will be needed to find the end result that has the highest price/performance ratio.

If possible try and round up some numbers that compare a HD3870 CF setup (or a HD3870X2), a single HD4870 512/1GB, and a HD4870 CF setup (or a HD4870X2) @ 1920x1200.

Nobody can tell you what is best for your specific needs, so it takes a little legwork to read the multitude of available reviews out on the internet. There is certainly no lack of information to make an educated decision...
 
Yeah that is true.
But there are many here that switch hardware so often that i thought it would be easy for them to tell me the difference.
 
I think you would be happy with a single 1gb 4870 honestly. I play many different games, maxed out with my Intel system just using a GTX 260/216 and at stock speeds mind you.:)
 
I have just finished some reading and it seems that the 1Gb 4870 is just slightly better at 1920x1200. With 4x AA and 16x AF. It does matter when going even higher on the resolution.
With multiple games compared the highest difference was 5 fps.
Would this be worth the extra €30? And if i later on buy a second HD4870 512 would that also double the memory to 1Gb or doesn't it work like that?:confused::laugh:
 
Bump.:toast:
 
WTF. I was just about to complete the order for a Sapphire HD4870 1Gb at Pixmania.nl
I did not clicked complete order so it just stood in the card:slap:
Now i want to complete the payment and the price has gone up from €179 to €199:wtf::wtf::wtf: This morning it was still at €179.

I called their costumer service but was 5 min to late. They closed now.
 
this crap makes me nervous about trying xfire
 
If i buy a 512 first and a 1Gb later on will this work in Crossfire?
 
Yes but the extra ram on the 1Gb card will be useless as both cards will only use 512. Crossfire works with common denominations. 1 card with 512 will limit both cards to 512.

Buy a 1Gb card to start.
 
One question. If i buy 2 512's will this have the same affect as a 1Gb for the higher res?
Because i dont want to pay for two 1Gb's while it's overkill.
If this is the case is would rather get 2 512's and save me €100 and get some nice ram to go with it.
 
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2 x 512 will not equal 1Gb. Each card will have it's own 512 RAM and all data stored on one card much be identical on the second card.

In crossfire all data processed on one card is mirrored on the second card as they alternate the rendering of frames.
 
If you want 1gb of RAM get a 1gb card to begin with. You will regret buying a 512mb card.
 
You both are good:D:respect:
 
lol i am happy whit my crossfire 4870 setup:laugh: what you meen technicks would you buy 4870's nou gne gne join the team m8:toast: the dutch crossfire dude's:pimp:


ps a 1person team i got no team lol:twitch:
 
Yeah that would be nice.:)
 
ooh and euhmm are my corsair Xsm2 whit heatspreaders 4gb kit CrossFire Certified???
 
Does it matter?:)
 
i dont no?:laugh:
 
its fun to ask something like that
 
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