Multi GPU - The Hardcore Way
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Article : New generation of multi
GPU systems Date : 12/04/2008 Page : 1
Summery : Multi GPU setups have
been around for a while now and haven't proved to be as popular as
either ATI or Nvidia would of hoped. However multi graphics card
setups are not a dead duck and the two companies have tried once
again with an even crazier idea. Lets bring 3 and 4 graphics card
setups into the fold. Just in case you thing your PC's case is
somewhat empty. |
As you know we've had the early version of SLI many moons ago, then much later on SLI was re-born with Nvidia bringing it to the modern Graphics card. This was closely followed by ATI who brought their own version, Crossfire into the mix. All of these systems however had one floor that the future simply would not allow, this was of course that they were limited to two graphics cards in their systems. Not a big deal even a few years ago, it unfortunately these days does not live up to what the modern power PC user requires. And like all good companies, ATI (now AMD of course) and Nvidia both came up with there own solutions. Both combating the problem both in a different way. These new technologies are namely CrossfireX from AMD and imaginatively named 3-Way-SLI from Nvidia.
So why would we go out and stump up our hard earned cash for a bunch of these graphics cards all nicely pieced together in a super formation. The answer in short is that you wouldn't well at least not yet. The problem at the moment is that these swanky new technologies require the latest motherboards to work and they have only been activated on the latest range of graphics cards. 3 way SLI can be used with 8800GTC or Ultra Cards, CrossfireX started with the HD 38XX series of cards. Now while these cards are available 1 of them would be fine to play top end games, 2 together would be expensive and possibly a little more than required. So 3 an 4 top end graphics cards in one system? Overkill? You bet. and lets not even get into the power requirements from your PSU.
This of course won't always be the case, as these cards get older and cheaper, the 3 and 4 graphics card system will become a more realistic option. Plus of course now the technology is out there and is getting perfected, you will find that future releases of budget and mainstream cards will appear giving the consumer a valid upgrade path when adding extra graphics cards when required.
To the left you can see what a typical 4-way crossfire setup would look like. As you can see it is a little tight in there, we always say that your PC requires Adequate cooling in all circumstances, however in this situation we suggest that you have some sort of hurricane machine inside your case just to make sure. Joking aside the Radeon HD graphics cards do come with onboard fans to keep the air circulating, however it would be wise to get a decent air throughput in your rig, sucking in clean air and blowing out the dirty hot air on top of the circulation inside your case.
As with all multi card setups, you should not expect to receive multiples of performance to how many graphics cards you have together, in fact the more graphics cards you add together the less performance gain each card brings. Obviously there is no hard and fast rule for exactly how much performance gain each graphics card will give you as it depends on your setup and game / application used. But we can safely say that by the time you add the 4th card the performance gain will be fairly low over a 3 card setup. If however you have been upgrading this way then it still might be the best cost effective method of upgrade.
CrossfireX specifically works on AMD platform motherboards and are currently being sold as part of AMD Spider platform, so named because of its 4 core CPU and 4 core GPU setup. However there are rumours that CrossfireX will work on new Intel Chipsets as well. Currently though it is only available on the high end AMD motherboards with the 790FX chipset.
AMD have released the Radeon HD 3870 into the CrossfireX equation to give the platform a high end card on the market. Problem being of course that 4 higher end cards in one machine equals a massive power drain. Firstly I suggest a power supply that is in excess of 1000W and secondly you will want to make absolutely sure that you are connected to a power surge protector.
