4850x2?

[Vince22]

Hello, I I currently have a single sapphire 4850 1GB. I want to know if I'll get a big performance boost by getting an addiionAl 4850x2 gfx card, and how big of one? It would basically be a trifire right?
I have a sufficient psu, and mobo with both lanes at x16

IT would be paired with an athlon II x4 630 @2.8ghz
Running at either 1920x1080 or 1280x1024, which ever one is optimal for the setup...

Thanks for takin the time to answer!

 

[rolli59]

It will be a good increase. It would be a waste at 1280x1024 but with 1920x1080 it will be good and your CPU at stock becomes the bottleneck.

 

[jryan388]

I think it would be better to go with a newer generation. The 4850 and 4870 are quite old. If you got a single 6950, you would probably get better performance anyway for much less power consumption.

 

[Vince22]

Ok, do you know any way to oc my athlon, cuz I've never oc'ed anything other than my gfx card...

 

[rolli59]

You can overclock it easy there are plenty of guides if you google and one here in the overclocking sections.

 

[jjb8675309]

yeah personally Id rather have a single 6950/70 or gtx 570/80 instead of dealing with the issues that come along with adding one let alone two more 4850s, trust me when I say that it is not worth the headache and when you are three way crossfiring a weaker card such as the 4850 your minimum fps will suffer great;y I say get a gtx 570 or 6950/70 and you will be good to go, also like rolli said look in the oc section for advice, as long as you meet certain heat and stability envelopes it is fine and nonetheless a great skill to have if you like to build your own pcs and save some money! also consider the make and model of your psu, what is it? it may not be sufficient to deal with any card upgrade, please let us the know the make and model of your psu

 

[jjb8675309]

I think it would be better to go with a newer generation. The 4850 and 4870 are quite old. If you got a single 6950, you would probably get better performance anyway for much less power consumption.

yes totally agreed, good advice

 

[jay2tall]

I would not want to deal with all that heat. You will need alot of airflow over the cards to keep them cool.

Power consumption would be a so much higher than a single new gen card. Also, you are missing out on DX11 and all the other goodies. I think it is time to upgrade my friend, not add.

 

[jjb8675309]

^+100 yes

 

[Vince22]

Haha ok guys!!!I think that that will be the way I'll go(getting a 6xxxcard). !!! Thanks!

 

[jay2tall]

^ GTX5xx cards are good too. Just throwing the Green team out there too. I'd measure up what games you play and see who performs better at what price point.

 

[jjb8675309]

yeah I will add that I love my gtx 570, it runs cool and quiet (even when fan is at 100%) it also OC's to near gtx 580 levels, and I picked it up for 304 AR and PNY has a lifetime warranty

 

[Vince22]

Ok! Is the 570 expensive? I've heard that nvidia 5xx series are expensive compared to ati equiv..

 

[ionut19]

Expensive where? In Europe everything is more expensive, in states everything is cheaper. In states ~350$. In Europe ~350 euro ha ha ha..

 

[jjb8675309]

well like I said I got my gtx 570 in the US (frys electronics las vegas, nv) for $304 AR and it is comparable to a 6970

 

[ionut19]

On new egg you can buy it at 320+ with rebates or other promotions. 304 is a good deal.

 

[Vince22]

Ok! I'll check it out! Thanks guys!!

 

[jjb8675309]

no problem, let us know what you pick