User:TechAngel85/Sandbox: Difference between revisions
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Each GPU in a system must have its own dedicated VRAM that is not shareable, additionally in order for GPU's to work together they need to have access to exactly the same resources. What this means is that for multi-gpu configurations (whether it is several different cards or multiple chips on a single card) all VRAM memory must be mirrored, so if you add up your total VRAM and divide by the number of GPU's you get your '''functional''' dedicated VRAM. All the extra VRAM for each additional GPU makes absolutely no performance difference whatsoever, it is entirely utilized to make the GPU's able to work together seamlessly. So lets say you have just spent $1620 for 3 HD 7970's in Crossfire, what you would expect is that your games will now have 9GB of VRAM available to them, in reality you are still limited to 3GB and the other 6GB is utilized entirely to make the other GPU's compatible.}} | Each GPU in a system must have its own dedicated VRAM that is not shareable, additionally in order for GPU's to work together they need to have access to exactly the same resources. What this means is that for multi-gpu configurations (whether it is several different cards or multiple chips on a single card) all VRAM memory must be mirrored, so if you add up your total VRAM and divide by the number of GPU's you get your '''functional''' dedicated VRAM. All the extra VRAM for each additional GPU makes absolutely no performance difference whatsoever, it is entirely utilized to make the GPU's able to work together seamlessly. So lets say you have just spent $1620 for 3 HD 7970's in Crossfire, what you would expect is that your games will now have 9GB of VRAM available to them, in reality you are still limited to 3GB and the other 6GB is utilized entirely to make the other GPU's compatible.}} | ||
The following chart lists cards by GPU power and sorts them into tiers along with a range of appropriate VRAM amounts required to get the best performance/price value. | The following chart lists cards by GPU power and sorts them into tiers along with a range of appropriate VRAM amounts required to get the best performance/price value. | ||
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Price listings are just what I was able to find with a quick online search and are meant as examples not definitive in any way (if the VRAM is less than recommended I provide the available amount). | Price listings are just what I was able to find with a quick online search and are meant as examples not definitive in any way (if the VRAM is less than recommended I provide the available amount). | ||
Minimum recommended GPU models are the Nvidia GTX 550TI or ATI HD 6850 each with 2GB VRAM (these are last seasons mid-range models with a boosted VRAM and available fairly cheap at ~$150, 1GB versions run around $35 less and you will hate yourself if you skimp here). PCIe 3.0 x16 support would be nice here but certainly not necessary (unless you are spending $500 or more), but a PCIe 2.0 with a full x16 dedicated bandwidth is a really good idea, check your motherboard for this support. | |||