Crysis 2 DX11/HighResTextures and 3-way CFX problem

[DGLee]

Hi. I just patched my Crysis 2 to v1.9 and got obtained DX11 / Ultra spec and High resolution textures. I tested newly-added options and compare them with late-highest setting, Extreme option. Here's the result.
My system is as follow:
CPU: Phenom II X6 @ 4.2GHz / NB 2.8GHz
Mainboard: MSI 890FXA-GD70
Memory: Samsung PC3-10600 4GB x 2 @ 1600MHz / CL7
VGA: Radeon HD 6970 2GB x 3 CFX
Storage: Intel SSD 510 Series 120GB
Power: CORSAIR AX1200 GOLD

First, I tested each graphic option under 3-way CFX configuration.

As you see, without any API or textures resolution change, changing spec from Extreme to Ultra brings about 14% performance loss.
Changing API from DX9 to DX11 cuts average framerate massively about -56%. DX11 in Crysis 2 seems that it's really hardware demanding.
Contrary to previous two tests and popular expectation, applying high resolution textures merely affects to performance - see and compare 'Ultra' and 'Ultra + HighRes', 'Ultra + DX11' and 'Ultra + DX11 + HighRes'.

Second is to test under various VGA configuration - single, 2-way and 3-way CFX.

There's something we missed at the first test: That is, CFX scale may decrease (or increase) by presence of newly-added options since there can be no suitable profiles for them in up-to current version of Catalyst.
It seems okay when we use single 6970 and even add another 6970. CFX scale for 2-way configuration is nearly 200% under both Extreme (DX9) and Ultra (DX11 + HighRes) settings. But adding a third 6970 is, though it shows nice 3-way CFX scale under late DX9 setting, almost meaningless for brand-new DX11 setting.
So, '-56% loss' at the first test is not made only by Extreme -> Ultra, DX9 -> DX11 change but also 'nullified' third VGA. We may expect that this massive DX11 performance loss under 3-way CFX can be moderated by future version of Catalyst or CAP (Catalyst 11.7 or 11.6 CAP2 perhaps).

So far, my points can be summarized as follows:
1. Changing from Extreme -> Ultra consumes framerate by around 14%
2. Under DX11 settings, as of today, third Radeon VGA worth nothing. (wait for coming Catalyst)

Thanks for reading

 

[Aikouka]

That's kind of crazy that you need 3x 6970 just to play the game with what I assume would be more than 30 FPS (minimum) with the new effects. This of course assume the game will scale properly again once AMD updates the Crossfire profiles.

 

[HendrixFan]

Thanks for the info. It is nice to see Crysis 2 finally being what it should have been at release, the game to bring a computer to its knees. Why they didn't wait til it was done on the PC to release it is beyond me.

I find it very interesting that the minimums aren't too far off the averages with one, two or three cards. I haven't installed the patch yet, but I'm eager to give it a go. I played through the game some at release, but left it in hopes of just this kind of patch.