Upgrade or Crossfire?

[Destro]

Running an ATI 4850 512MB. 
I'm looking to add some video memory, but am wondering if I should spend $100 to get another card to hook up via crossfire, or if I should just get a 1GB card.  Also, can I hook up a 1GB 4850 to my 512GB 4850?  My research implies that I can.  If so, I guess that would be the route I would go.

[tehfunk101]

not sure about crossfire, but i know with SLI you are limited to the lower amount of memory, in that case i think the total would be 1gig shared rather than 1.5gig

[Schlup]

Destro, it kinda depends what you could upgrade to.  You'll only get about 50% of the power from the second card in Crossfire.  So if you can upgrade your card that will give you more than 50% more power then upgrade, otherwise go Crossfire.

[tehfunk101]

I recommend upgrading to a dx11 card. either an ati 5xxx or wait it out for an Nvidia 3xx

[Destro]

I did some more research and you are correct.  According to this: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/245454-15-crossfire-faqs I would still only have 512MB but two GPUs using it.  Based on what I've been reading, I may be better off to just get a whole new card.  I'll consider getting an ATI 5 card

[Schlup]

Get the 5970!

[Destro]

Too pricey right now, Schlup.  it's not like I'm really having any issues with what I've got now.

[Schlup]

5870?

[Monkey_Grill]

Destro, it kinda depends what you could upgrade to.  You'll only get about 50% of the power from the second card in Crossfire.  So if you can upgrade your card that will give you more than 50% more power then upgrade, otherwise go Crossfire.

50%? I thought it was more around 15%.

Destro, I'm in the same situation as you. I have a 9800GTX+, and I would like to get a second one. I have the 1GB version, but they currently only sell the 512MB. If I got the second card, I would not have 1.5GB total, but 1GB. The cards equal out. (Just to note)

Even though my card is around $100, I will NOT be getting a second one. I am putting that money towards a new 395.

[Schlup]

You're gonna spend $600+ on a graphics card Grill?

[Monkey_Grill]

Would like to. You're not just buying a card, you're buying bragging rights.

[Schlup]

LOL...for a couple months at least.  Just remember, you won't be buying bragging rights because my computer will ALWAYS be better than yours.  If you upgrade, I'll upgrade better.

[CoCoCountyKiller]

here is another question for ya

I have A Gforce 8800 GTX OC 768
would it better for me to run in SLI
(buying another 8800 GTX OC 768)
or to up grade to a newer card?

the 8800 should be still good for the
new games that are being released right?

with all this talk of graphic cards and
processors has me thinking

btw i run a AMD Athlon 64x2 dual core
processor 5600+ with 3 gig ram

thanks

co.co.

[Schlup]

Your bottleneck right now is probably your processor...you're probably sitting at 50% at idle in game and when it get's demanding you are pumping out 100%.  I know because I have that processor on my guest computer.  If you get a good 300 series card when they come out it will beat your card in SLI.  I'm running (2) 8800 GTS SSC edition right now and I've about outgrown it.  Especially with a 24" monitor and 1920x1200 resolution and all high settings on all games.  When I get my new 300 series card I'm going to put one of my 8800's in my guest computer and leave one in here for handling PhysX.

[CoCoCountyKiller]

thanks
for the info

co.co.