4870x2. First impressions

[LordJuanlo]

Well I have just swapped power cables and amperage looks much better now, look how it's now under full load (including video card load)

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/5127/psu2se9.jpg

Testing now, lets hope power issues are solved

[Skinner]

Well nice performance for that mod then ;)

AA performance is so nice, I'm sold :D

Yes, it looks even better then vanilla VH, but tax the system quite bad.
I have to try Rygel textures, CCC1.21 ect.

This the best I could reach for now: (vanilla VH)

1600x1200, 16AF and 8xAA

18-8-2008 0:08:59 - Vista 64
Beginning Run #1 on Map-island, Demo-benchmark_gpu
DX10 , Vsync=Disabled, 64 bit test, FullScreen
Demo Loops=3, Time Of Day= 9
Global Game Quality: VeryHigh
================================================== ============
TimeDemo Play Started , (Total Frames: 2000, Recorded Time: 111.86s)
!TimeDemo Run 0 Finished.
Play Time: 71.04s, Average FPS: 28.15
Min FPS: 17.59 at frame 1951, Max FPS: 42.62 at frame 1756
Average Tri/Sec: -14461626, Tri/Frame: -513694
Recorded/Played Tris ratio: -1.78
!TimeDemo Run 1 Finished.
Play Time: 64.68s, Average FPS: 30.92
Min FPS: 17.59 at frame 1951, Max FPS: 44.70 at frame 82
Average Tri/Sec: -15515487, Tri/Frame: -501748
Recorded/Played Tris ratio: -1.83
!TimeDemo Run 2 Finished.
Play Time: 64.27s, Average FPS: 31.12
Min FPS: 17.59 at frame 1951, Max FPS: 44.70 at frame 82
Average Tri/Sec: -15665941, Tri/Frame: -503442
Recorded/Played Tris ratio: -1.82
TimeDemo Play Ended, (3 Runs Performed)
================================================== ============

Completed All Tests

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>>--SUMMARY--<<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

18-8-2008 0:08:59 - Vista 64

Run #1- DX10 1600x1200 AA=8x, 64 bit test, Quality: VeryHigh ~~ Overall Average FPS: 3102

That second X2 does not much in this game (yet)

A faster CPU would be nice, maybe I score a E8400/8500 they're cheap. Is the multiplier unlocked?

[namuk]

Well I have just swapped power cables and amperage looks much better now, look how it's now under full load (including video card load)

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/5127/psu2se9.jpg

Testing now, lets hope power issues are solved

i hope it does..


but mate get a new psu this is like putting 1500 watts trough a 1000watts cable ..

[slaWter]

A faster CPU would be nice, maybe I score a E8400/8500 they're cheap. Is the multiplier unlocked?

Locked multi on those two CPUs.

LordJuanlo, good to see you solved the problem.

[namuk]

Its going to take an overclocked nehalem to really make full use of 2 4870X2 cards.
lol:D

[LordJuanlo]

but mate get a new psu this is like putting 1500 watts trough a 1000watts cable ..

Hahaha, not anymore, the PSU has been "underclocked" to its default values, and the power cables have been re-arranged so power is distributed between the four +12V rails. This PSU is really enough for one 4870x2 card. Now I have successfully completed Devil May Cry 4 benchmark (it was impossible before, computer would reboot before reaching second test). I'm 99% sure problem has been fixed.

BTW while repeating the Devil May Cry 4 benchmark twice, I have monitorized power consumption thanks to the wonderful PSU software (the PSU is connected to a free USB connector on the motherboard), and the entire system is using about 480W average when load is maximum, but I have registered a peak value of 554W, so the ATI recommendation of 600W minimum for one 4870x2 is more than justified, and I wouldn't use anything less than 1100W for two of those cards

[Skinner]

thats what i mean eveything is faster with above 4gig cpu i.e graphices so running 2 4870 x2 on a 3 gig system is a waist


Well up to 1600x1200 with small amounts of AA this is propably true for most titles. But having the luxery to increase the res and AA (with custom filters) without a perf. hit is not completly a waste.

Is a Q9550 able to reach 4 ghz? I don't spend much $ more before Nahalem is available.

[namuk]

Well up to 1600x1200 with small amounts of AA this is propably true for most titles. But having the luxery to increase the res and AA (with custom filters) without a perf. hit is not completly a waist.

Is a Q9550 able to reach 4 ghz? I don't spend much $ more before Nahalem is available.


the e8400 can hit 4gig on air but that is dual core

[namuk]

Hahaha, not anymore, the PSU has been "underclocked" to its default values, and the power cables have been re-arranged so power is distributed between the four +12V rails. This PSU is really enough for one 4870x2 card. Now I have successfully completed Devil May Cry 4 benchmark (it was impossible before, computer would reboot before reaching second test). I'm 99% sure problem has been fixed.

BTW while repeating the Devil May Cry 4 benchmark twice, I have monitorized power consumption thanks to the wonderful PSU software (the PSU is connected to a free USB connector on the motherboard), and the entire system is using about 480W average when load is maximum, but I have registered a peak value of 554W, so the ATI recommendation of 600W minimum for one 4870x2 is more than justified, and I wouldn't use anything less than 1100W for two of those cards


too true about 2 x2 cards they pull some power at least your psu is sorted . but it still does me that overclocking psu lol mad in the kit did you get a handle to wind it up to get more watts? (only joking) lol

[Xion X2]

I have monitorized power consumption thanks to the wonderful PSU software (the PSU is connected to a free USB connector on the motherboard), and the entire system is using about 480W average when load is maximum, but I have registered a peak value of 554W, so the ATI recommendation of 600W minimum for one 4870x2 is more than justified, and I wouldn't use anything less than 1100W for two of those cards

Just so you know, that's total system power draw. A single X2 eats up no more than 300w under load, so if you're peaking at 554, then add about 300W to that and you get the total wattage PSU you would need. In this case, 850 or greater. Preferably a 1000w for a little headroom.

[namuk]

Just so you know, that's total system power draw. A single X2 eats up no more than 300w under load, so if you're peaking at 554, then add about 300W to that and you get the total wattage PSU you would need. In this case, 850 or greater. Preferably a 1000w for a little headroom.

after reading all reveiws all differant i might add (all are diffeant does me) .. it looks like 2 x2 cards run max load at under 800watts

[Blkout]

the e8400 can hit 4gig on air but that is dual core

The only real advantage to owning a quad core vs dual core is encoding, but it looks like even that is about to go away as GPU encoding is coming soon. GPU encoding is so much faster than a quad core, it's not even a fair comparison. Only a handful of games even use dual cores so in my eyes, that's the best way to go nowadays. It's cheaper, runs cooler, overclocks better and soon the GPU will be doing the encoding.

[namuk]

The only real advantage to owning a quad core vs dual core is encoding, but it looks like even that is about to go away as GPU encoding is coming soon. GPU encoding is so much faster than a quad core, it's not even a fair comparison. Only a handful of games even use dual cores so in my eyes, that's the best way to go nowadays. It's cheaper, runs cooler, overclocks better and soon the GPU will be doing the encoding.

yea no this thats why i said e8400 and you could say the same as owning 2 x2 cards or even one that does not support x2.

when gpu encoding is in we will all need new cards lol

does not nvidia drivers support duel core and the new upcoming drivers support quad?

[BrianG]

The only real advantage to owning a quad core vs dual core is encoding..

Oh no. This thread is about to jump the Quad v. Dual shark. Shame, it was good up to now.

[Blkout]

Thats not true at all, some games even today take advantage of Quad Core CPU's. UE3 based games such as Mass Effect use it really really well.

Prove "really really well". I'll be waiting...

[Blkout]

Oh no. This thread is about to jump the Quad v. Dual shark. Shame, it was good up to now.


There will be no discussion, game over...


http://www.pcgameshardware.de/aid,645004/Test/Benchmark/&menu=browser&image_id=827921&article_id=645004&page=1&show=original

[Xion X2]

There will be no discussion, game over...


http://www.pcgameshardware.de/aid,645004/Test/Benchmark/&menu=browser&image_id=827921&article_id=645004&page=1&show=original

I'm not saying you're wrong, but that doesn't really prove your case. It's a benchmark done in XP. Vista is much better for utilizing multi-core applications.

I do know there are a few games like Lost Planet where the difference is drastic in some places. It depends on the surroundings. There were some parts in Medal of Honor Airborne where my 3.6GHz E6600 was pinned at 100% on both cores, so it would be hard to see how quad isn't benefiting it some.

But let's let this discussion continue in the CPU/Motherboard forum and keep this relevant to the X2. :)

[Blkout]

I'm not saying you're wrong, but that doesn't really prove your case. It's a benchmark done in XP. Vista is much better for utilizing multi-core applications.

I do know there are a few games like Lost Planet where the difference is drastic in some places. It depends on the surroundings. There were some parts in Medal of Honor Airborne where my 3.6GHz E6600 was pinned at 100% on both cores, so it would be hard to see how quad isn't benefiting it some.

But let's let this discussion continue in the CPU/Motherboard forum and keep this relevant to the X2. :)

It's a pretty well known fact that quad core gaming never took off. It was supposed to be the future when everyone jumped on the Q6600, but it just never happened and it probably never will with GPU's taking on physics now too. Quads are good for encoding but those days are about over also.

[Skinner]

Unreal Engine 3 games were a reason for me to stay at Quadcore first, but it's very tempting to get an E8xxx and run it at 4 ghz. But Im running at 3,3 stable now and with some further tweaking (I propably have to look into nortbridge strapsettings) I could get 3,6 (which did run with it on auto, but froze ingame).

UT3 is faster on my Q6600 then with my previous E6600 on the same clock.

I'm also running COJdx10 with allmost 100 fps with the dx10 content and it was 70 with one X2.

[JaxMacFL]

I've had mine a week now and am not disappointed. With the gainward expertool fan setting at 50%, gpu #1 idles at 43-45 and gpu #2 at 38-40. As near as I can tell load is in the mid 60s.

Ran a few benchmarks. All at 4.1GHz and 790/970 with 8.52.6 on 3dmk06 and furmark, 8.8betas with vantage:

Vantage performance: P12,961 (GPU 15,962 CPU 8287)
Vantage Extreme: X7497 (GPU 7463 CPU 8214)
3DMark06: 19,502 (SM2.0 8497 SM3.0 11,037 CPU 3644)
FurMark: 6353 (Min 67 Max 138 Avg 106)

I prefer the drivers that came on the Sapphire Installation disc.

[hell_of_doom227]

I'm going to post some bench numbers for my SLI GTX280 with q6700@2666 Mhz and Video Cards are running at default clock 604Mhz for GPU so you know where are you at with X2 4870.

I will do later tonight when i get back from work.

[LordJuanlo]

I have done another full benchmark suite (http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=118035) with the games I tested before on the 8800 GTX. Enjoy and share your comments at the other post

[ATi]

does amd/ATi drivers have Digital Vibrance or something like it?

[Blkout]

does amd/ATi drivers have Digital Vibrance or something like it?


No, but why would you need it? ATI's color it spot-on with no corrections needed. Only Nvidia has washed-out colors.

[slaWter]

So I got my card today but I'm not happy with the X2 :( I can't get it to work with my LCD TV. The X2 works flawlessly in Windows and most game, 1:1 pixel mapping is spot on. But Crysis DX10 runs at 1080i 50Hz all the time, scaling doesn't work.

I'll try a few things tonight but if I can't find a solution tonight I'm gonna sell the card, I'm not going to waste my time with ATI drivers when I have a perfectly fine GTX 280 on my table.