3870X2/9800X2 Question

[acidpython]

Well really this applies to either card, I was going to make a purchase of 2 3870's for my new build but with the 3870X2 coming it would make sense to allow for the interchange...

My question is with the single card solution 1x 3870X2. I know that crossfire profiles aren't in every game, and i was wondering does the 3870X2 require "multi-gpu" support in order to function properly? Or will it work as any other single card?

 

[imrul]

single

 

[badgtx1969]

I thought the 3870x2 was basically a single PCB crossfire. Thus highly dependent on drivers and program support. I know the 9800x2 is basically equivalent to SLI.

Two 3870s in CF should out perform the 3870x2. A single 3870X2 card has two individual 3870 gpus linked by a PCI-E 1.0 48-lane switch chip: 16 lanes connect to the motherboard's PCI-E socket, the remaining 32 lanes divide equally between the two RV670 cores. The end result is the same, two RV670 GPU's, two banks of 512mb memory, and a PCIE link holding them together. Unfortunately, the 3870X2 has slower GDDR3 1.2ns ram to reduce costs.

 

[aznstriker92]

I would say getting a single 3870X2 would be better bec. it saves space. 2 cards for a dual slot is better than 1 dual slot card.

 

[hcforde]

At CES ATI said that the 3870x2 will outperform 2 3870's in Crossfire. What I saw had the x2 operating at over 100% of 1 3870. The 2 GPU's work in tandem and are a hybrid and as I recall were not to be considered as crossfire on one PCB.

 

[The_King]

3870 X2 is faster than 2 3870 in x-Fire

Here are some new Benchies

http://www.pconline.com.cn/diy/graphics/reviews/0801/1210234.html

Plus in X-Fire you only have 512MB vid ram with the X2 card you have 1GIG

Dual gpu's on a single PCB is far superior to SLi or Crossfire.

 

[randomizer]

Dual core GPUs are superior still.

 

[mihirkula]

Dual core GPUs are superior still.

Strongly agree.

 

[weskurtz81]

Who makes dual core video cards?

 

[righteous]

All I want to know is where there are benchmarks in ENGLISH.

 

[badgtx1969]

^And now the INQ says we have to wait until Monday, instead of tomorrow.
http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/inquirer/news/2008/01/22/3870x2-delayed

There are sure to be more Chinese/Asian leaks between now and then to further tantalize you!

 

[emp]

It saddens me a bit that we had to wait 14 months for something to rival the G80... Oh well. Fine tune those damn drivers fassst I want to see some benchmarks now... NOW

 

[spoonboy]

that could be what the brought forward then pushed back release is all about, some last minute tuning.