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Crossfire 4870 1GB to 512MB

Forum Graphic & Displays : Graphics Cards - Crossfire 4870 1GB to 512MB

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Hello All,

I am hoping that someone can help me, I have done a search and the concensus is that I can crossfire a 1Gb 4870 to a 512mb.

I currently have a 512mb 4870 and am looking to buy a cheap 2nd hand 1GB 4870. The thinking is that if I come across a game that is not good with crossfire set-ups I can disable crossfire and run the 1GB 4870 on its own.

Does anyone have a similar set-up and is disabling crossfire a simply case of unticking a box in CCC or am I being naive.

Thank you in advance for your help.

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Thats fine as long as you realise that you still only have 512MB when in crossfire mode.

Mactronix

Reply to mactronix

Mactronix,

Thanks for the reply, will I get 512mb or 2x512mb in crossfire mode?

Reply to kfckfc

It dosent add up. 2 cards with 512mb give you 512mb net . If you use a 1gb card and a 512mb card you still only get 512mb.
I will try to explain.
In Crossfire you would by default be using AFR (Alternate Frame Rendering) it dosent make a differance if you use checkerboard or split screen rendering the result as far as the Ram on the cards goes is the same.
In order to calculate what it needs to do to render each frame both card needs (unfortunatly) to calculate the same information so you end up with two sets of identicle info on each card.

Mactronix

Reply to mactronix

Mac is right.

SLI or CF is not a SUM of the 2 cards RAM. Its mostly the calculating power that is "doubled".

I think your plan is not bad. With games that support CF youll have better Performance. And with games that dont youll have the 1gb. Remember that The 1gb is not really faster. read reviews about the games you play and see BENCH to know if your CF worth it or not.

Maybe it can be better for you to sell your current 4870 and buy a Single GTX285 or GTX275 ? Depand on games you play. Find benchmark !

------------------------------ __________________________Le Québécois_________________________
WCed Q9550 EO + P5Q @ 3.825ghz / HTPC - E5200 + P5Q @ 3.3ghz
BFG GTX285 OC2 + PC P&C 750w . / HIS HD4850 with Sharp 42" 1080p
Reply to boulard83

Thank you all for your help. With my my budget I can afford the GTX 275 which is probably the best route when I factor in heat, noise and stabilty. Thanks again.

Reply to kfckfc

Another 4870 512mb crossfired with your current one will walk all over a gtx275 in most games. What resolution are you playing at?

Message edited by jennyh on 04-16-2009 at 12:32:00 AM

Reply to jennyh

1680 x 1050 - I generally play FPS and driving games.

I think you are right when CF is running well but am a little worried about heat and stabilty with my current set-up (Lian Li A17 case and HW620W PSU) thus inclined to go with a single card solution e.g. GTX 275 or HD4890.

------------------------------ Asus Maximus Extreme
E8500 @ 4.27Ghz (air)
4GB 1197 @ 5-5-5-12 1T
512Mb HD4870@780/1020
Reply to kfckfc

Depand on the games you play. If the games support CF your better with it. COD is awesome with a SLI-CF ... my SLI GTX+ was able to play COD4 and WAW maxed out, everthing to the top @ 1680x1050.

I just swapped to a single GTX285 cause GTA4 dont support SLI yet .... Now i can MAX the settings pretty well.

Your CPU is well ok for a CF.

As i told. Find reviews/benchmark of the games your playing. Try to discover if your better with a single or a CF.

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