Birkinator said:
I appreciate all of the input, i did not expect this to take off so quickly.
I am currently running:
(I am currently at work, so i will revise the specs when i get home)
CPU: AMD FX-8170(3.9GHz no OC)
Mobo: Asus Sabertooth 990FX
GPU: Dual Radeon HD 6850's xFired(no OC)
Memory: 16Gb
SSD: Corsair G-Force 120Gb
HDD: WD 1Tb 7200RPM
PSU: 1200w
Also, as i am to understand, multi-Graphics cards does nothing for performance, so single GPU will do fine, as long as it trumps my current configuration.
Also, 1680 x 1050 currently, but i do like to connect to my 55" on occasion.
Birkinator said:
Well, I am between new graphics unit, new RAM, or a new PSU. Now that I hear yall talking about this, I'm leaning more towards a new PSU. My PSU and RAM are still original to the build. This is an ongoing build, for about 3-4 years now. As well, the PSU and RAM are were a cheaped out a bit originally. I suppose that I should probably mention the issue that I have been having that prompted the need for change.
While playing games such as WOW and PlanetSide2, I have periods were I experience choppy lag, sometimes blue screens, and sometimes, it will just stop responding. All drivers are up to date, and it is a fresh install of Win 8. I was assuming that this was a graphics error, again it may just be my naivety. I have also considered that it may be a fault in my SDD as ntsokrnl.exe is behind quite a few of the BSODs, and has carried over from my previous install of Windows7(reformatted and loaded Win8 to see if it would stop).
I suppose that I should probably open a separate thread for this issue.
Regarding single/multi GFX setups. It's not quite like you put it. Multi card configs can most definately out do single cards in certain situations. However, there are associated problems with those set ups. With your 6850's your limited by your Vram at higher resolutions ( i would bet on your 55' that playing games is a lot worse than on your 1680x1050 monitor!?)
Some dual card setups are very potent, as highlighted by 4745454b . Even your 6850 CF will be powerfull. But, with new cards coming out each year, next years super duper card is always gonna out perform the last generation of cards, and even dual card setups. When purchasing a card/s getting one very powerfull card and then adding another to CF/SLI later is the best way to go. Your not limiting yourself straight off by purchasing two midrange cards (7790/650ti's), therefore limiting your upgrading. The point 4745454b is making is very valid. Your performance should already be very good, so from a financial point of view upgrading maybe isn't wise. Although you won't see a massive frame boost by upgrading to a single gpu set up ( you will see some performance increase...along with the newer tech capabilities of the new card) you will definately have a better game experience. It will have better min/avg frames per second, less driver issues etc. I suppose in the end, it comes down to what you really need. If you want stutter free gaming, and are prepared to sepnd 400 on a single card, then go for it. Your gaming will 'feel better'. If money is aconsideration wait till the next generation of cards, and drop one of those in. You can be sure that the 8xxx and 7xxx from AMD/Nvidia will be roughly twice as fast as the current gen. Given your 6850's are a few years old, you will see a huge leap in performance.