I'm all out of ideas for helping a pal with 4870x2 problem, anyone?

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: Keysplayr

Originally posted by: brblx
to apoppin's credit, i went benchmark diving and it DOES appear that the 4870x2 is more CPU limited than the gtx280. so sorry for that, duder. but, it is still probably a software or driver-related occurence, and i don't think it's related to the OP.

but yeah, he can try kicking it up 4-500mhz and see what it does. the problem is that if it DOES improve, there's no gauge for how much it 'should' improve. even with another issue, he'll probably net a few fps more.

i'm sure the OP has tried this, but since i didn't see it mentioned- you did check all your driver-level settings, right?

Yes, it is CPU limited. You put a GTX280, 4890 or 4870X2 is a 1GHz PIII system (as if that were possible, but for example purposes) The all would be accutely limited by the CPU. All three graphics cards would have the same exact ceiling of fps in a given game. None would do worse than the other, nor would they do better. You put these same 3 cards in a 4.0GHz i7 rig, and the 4870X2 would dust them both. So yes, the 4870X2 would benefit from a faster CPU. But unless Xfire isn't working as Zap mentioned, or there is a driver/OS/hardware problem, there isn't any reason a 4870X2 would ever perform slower than a GTX280/4890 in any system where the system remains the constant.

the OP has run away .. and what the hell does "choppy" mean anyway?
- he left us with NOTHING to go on .. but a discussion

ANYWAY -
q9550s at 4.0 GHz [Very high/4xAA/16xAF/16x10]:
<< 4870-X2 = 25 min / 33.77 average/45 max
q9550s at 2.6 GHz [Very high/4xAA/16xAF/16x10]:
4870-X2 = 17 min / 27.92 average/42 max

i'd say it is a little choppy with the slower CPU down from 33.72 > 27.92 average

Also, by my testing at MAX detail, most of the work has been offloaded to the GPU
- i live this stuff now

there isn't any reason a 4870X2 would ever perform slower than a GTX280/4890 in any system where the system remains the constant.

So what? You have MISREAD the original post - what you are saying has nothing to do with anything he stated here

Crossfire is working fine .. there are no driver issues in my PC
-the OP should at least attempt an OC to check out the performance differences

In the immortal word of Zstream..... *facepalm*

 

[apoppin]

so you don't understand ?
Do you need me to explain it to you again?

 

[dawp]

make sure folding at home isn't running in the background. I made the mistake of installing it with my 4870x2 and if i don't close it before running a game, my preformance suffers greatly. the folding client that came with my card uses the gpu.

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: apoppin
so you don't understand ?
Do you need me to explain it to you again?

LMAO...... no no no!! hehehe.. The first time was one time too many. But thanks.

 

[cocainewhite]

Hey guys! Woah! Lots to read! Thanks very much! And let it be remembered that there is nothing wrong with a healthy debate!

In answer, yes its fresh Vista 64 install, we reinstalled the entire OS to make sure it wasnt a problem with that - didn't make any difference.

In regarding the Geforce/Radeon comparison in games, we didnt do that, simply because we wouldn't have known if the GPU or the CPU was affecting the FPS, and by what margin.

Yes, we do have FRAPS - what info would you like?

"choppy" btw means that anything that requires the video card to do work - shooting, fire, people running around, causes the fps to slow to a point where it jerks around. ie: you shoot someone, but don't see them drop to the ground because its missed the frame where they are falling (can you imagine what I mean?.

Things to do now:

1. O.C the CPU, test in Crysis and measure difference (in game?)
2. Check GPU speeds - using GPUZ? Am I correct in saying that on the 4870x2 it reports two different speeds for each GPU, something like 750/500? Or should they be the same?
3 Check PCI-E speed (I can use GPUz for this as well right?)
4. Make sure CAT AI is turned on (in CCC?)

Thanks guys, I'll get him to try this out and report back. My gut instinct tells me its either the PCI-E speed or CATAI not being turned on.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: cocainewhite
Hey guys! Woah! Lots to read! Thanks very much! And let it be remembered that there is nothing wrong with a healthy debate!

In answer, yes its fresh Vista 64 install, we reinstalled the entire OS to make sure it wasnt a problem with that - didn't make any difference.

In regarding the Geforce/Radeon comparison in games, we didnt do that, simply because we wouldn't have known if the GPU or the CPU was affecting the FPS, and by what margin.

Yes, we do have FRAPS - what info would you like?

"choppy" btw means that anything that requires the video card to do work - shooting, fire, people running around, causes the fps to slow to a point where it jerks around. ie: you shoot someone, but don't see them drop to the ground because its missed the frame where they are falling (can you imagine what I mean?.

Things to do now:

1. O.C the CPU, test in Crysis and measure difference (in game?)
2. Check GPU speeds - using GPUZ? Am I correct in saying that on the 4870x2 it reports two different speeds for each GPU, something like 750/500? Or should they be the same?
3 Check PCI-E speed (I can use GPUz for this as well right?)
4. Make sure CAT AI is turned on (in CCC?)

Thanks guys, I'll get him to try this out and report back. My gut instinct tells me its either the PCI-E speed or CATAI not being turned on.

good to hear back from you

Use FRAPS .. measure the framerates so you can relate what is "choppy" to you, to the frames actually measured

1. Run Vantage and 3DMark06 - as is now and record the score. Then overclock your CPU and measure it again. Do the same for Crysis
2. The GPUs will downclock when you are running 2D applications
3. Sure, use GPU-z
4. Cat AI should be set to standard [or advanced; not off] for Crossfire. i'd leave it standard for X2 - not off