Two separate graphics cards supporting same shader version but one of them is...

Discussion in 'The Lounge - Off Topic' started by kobem, Apr 18, 2011.

  1. kobem

    kobem Megabyte Poster

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    I wanna ask a question about graphics cards. Assume you are eager to play a
    videogame. There are two dedicated graphics cards that support same pixel
    shader version. But only one of them meets the minimum system reqs.

    In that case, the only reason for one of them picking the pace is the performance difference, rendering speed cos number of graphics pipelines?

    Or, even though they are built with same shader-version units, the one under
    the requirements can allow us to select same graphics options as well?

    As an example ; Think Geforce 6800 and Upper version geforce 7800. Are they
    able to both show us same graphics?
     
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  2. michael78

    michael78 Terabyte Poster

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    Not really sure on your wording so if I have this wrong then feel free to correct me. You can only use 1 graphics card unless you buy 2 identical ones that support SLI/Crossfire. Your card has to meet the specification of the game otherwise it won't run it or performance will be poor.
     
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  3. Kitkatninja
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    Kitkatninja aka me, myself & I Moderator

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    :blink

    I'd get the graphics card that meets the minimum requirement.

    It not just because of that, there's a whole range of things, eg:

    Graphics Bus Technology

    Memory

    Memory Interface

    Memory Bandwidth

    Fill Rate

    Vertices/sec.

    Pixels per clock

    RAMDACs (MHz)

    Direct X support

    etc, etc, etc...

    -Ken
     
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  4. kobem

    kobem Megabyte Poster

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    Is the only concern supposed to be the performance ? Should they both produce same quality-graphics?
     
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  5. Kitkatninja
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    No*, otherwise there'd be no use to upgrade your GC.

    *It does depend on your settings & FPS.

    Put it this way, you have a single core 2.0GHz CPU (say a P4) and a quad core 2.0GHZ CPU (say a Core i7), which would you go for? If you're only going to use Excel. What about if you're going to be gaming?

    -Ken
     
    Last edited: Apr 18, 2011
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  6. kobem

    kobem Megabyte Poster

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    i couldn't manage to express it completely. I mean this; These cards incorporate
    same shader pipelines but their number changes only. Lets say one of them has
    4 the other may have 6 ps.

    1) Why the hell application supports only 6-ps one? For decent performance, FPS?

    2) Could both of them allow me to choose same graphics options? Such as texture
    quality : high or shadow quality : medium

    My question is exact same as this here ; http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/782999
     
    Last edited: Apr 18, 2011
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  7. michael78

    michael78 Terabyte Poster

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    Kobem if you look at the specification of the 2 graphics cards you mention (Geforce 6800 and Geforce 7800) then the hardware will be different mainly the chip itself obviously. Yes they may both be able to run a game at 1600x1200 but the hardware specifications (as well as good drivers) will determine how well it runs the game. As the cards you mention are only a generation apart there might not be a huge difference in performance. The best thing to do is look at a website like Tomshardware and see if they have benchmarks for the 2 GPU's you mention.
     
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  8. Kitkatninja
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    My last answer to this thread.

    Not everyone is a gamer (some will just use basic graphics, while others need more power), not everyone has the same amount of money to spend.

    The answer to question 1 is like asking while continue to build street roads when the motorway is so much better.

    The answer to number two, some options you will be able to, some option no. And just because you can choose the same options, don't expect the same results.

    Have you considered studying for the A+, to increase your basic hardware knowledge?

    -ken
     
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  9. greenbrucelee
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    You cant.

    Both cards need to be the same make and type to go sli or crossfire.

    SLi and Crossifre are a waste of time because:-at most you will get a 20% increase in performance, more power is needed (so a good and powerful psu is a must) and it creates more heat which anyone with any brains knows that more heat inside a computer creates problems.

    If you want a good frame rate and want smooth graphics go for one card and go for the best you can afford and that your psu can handle.
     
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  10. Theprof

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    Agreed!

    I looked at this once and it was never worth the money for me to invest... but just keep in mind what GBL and others have said... you need to have identical cards and a motherboard that either supports SLI or Crossfire.
     
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  11. GSteer

    GSteer Megabyte Poster

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  12. michael78

    michael78 Terabyte Poster

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    Personally I wouldn't opt for SLI/Crossfire just simply because in 99% of the time 1 GPU is enough and then there is the added expense of 2 GPU's, a more expensive PSU, more cooling and higher running costs I just don't see the point.
     
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  13. Theprof

    Theprof Petabyte Poster

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    It's possible that adding the second card will result in impressive gains but what I should of said is that I agree with the part where GBL states "possible issues of heat, power, etc..." when adding the second card. Of course those who opt for a second or even third card obviously think about these things but for a normal user I don't see this necessary.
     
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  14. SimonD
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    SimonD Terabyte Poster

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    Comparing 2 gpus from different families is like comparing 2 cpus from different families, yes both have similar instruction sets but offer vastly different performance.

    As far as SLI and Crossfire are concerned, a lot of the issues of yesteryear were down to poor driver implementation, these days there are obvious differences when running software with 1 or 2 gpus (I have a friend with an Alienware M17x with dual cards, trust me he notices the difference when playing games using a standard or cf profile).

    Personally speaking I like SLI and CF and whilst I did have issues with some setups (quad sli was a pain for me with my gtx295's) I generally had nothing but decent performance increases with it fitted.
     
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  15. greenbrucelee
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    Yes a lot was to do with drivers that caused issues but in the time in creating sli setups and crossfire setups which I have done for people have I never saw a 90% increase and this was with perfect setups.

    Unless by 90% increase it is meant the frame rate improve 20% the speed of processing increased 10% the clock timings increase by 10% the draw rate increased by 10% the heat produced increase by 40% then I would agree.

    The drivers have improved for sli and crossfire but until it doubles the frame rate of one card and produces less heat then its pointless. Your still better of buying one big powerful gpu and using that.
     
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