PLZ NEED HELP WITH A FEW QUESTIONS!

[aztec88]

Hey guyZ its me again!...I have another question. And I can't seem to find the answer anywhere on the net nowhere!!..I was wondering what kind of FPS I would be getting with
CRYSIS @ 1920x1200 no AA to 4XAA with 3 GTS 250's 1GB Tri SLI'ed?

Will also be running Phenom II 940 3.0Ghz and 4 GB DDR2.

PLease give me an idea..I would also like to know if I'd be better off getting 2 GTX 280's or the 3 GTS 250's?...please help me out here lol...

Thanks in advance!

 

[mentalcrisis00]

you're definitely going to see an increase in performance with 2 GTX 280's than 3 GTS 250's I would guess. The rule of thumb for most people is to get the least amount of most powerful graphics cards one can afford. I'd say if you can swing the gtx 280's you should go that route. But I'm curious as to why you need to play crysis at those levels? Unless you've never played it before. The system you intend would be great for upcoming titles but specifically making it to play crysis is a bit silly IMO. At any rate a tri sli GTS 250 or sli GTX 280 will both give you good results but in my experience the least cards you have to achieve your goal the better.

Also about benchmark articles, you usually won't find exactly what you're looking for especially with triple sli because there just aren't alot out there. I found a tri sli article awhile back that included crysis benchmarks but it was about a year old. I usually find more than one article and compare the results if one doesn't show what i'm looking for.

 

[Hauk]

I ran GTX 260 216 Tri-SLI and now have GTX 285 Tri-SLI. For Crysis at 1920 x 1200, I found myself (with both configs) running shaders and post processing on high, everything else maxed, 2xAA. I found 4xAA to bog down either config and had to stick with 2xAA. Prolly has to do with frame buffer and no, the 285's larger frame buffer didn't make a difference. So yes, you can chew up Crysis with Tri-SLI, but be prepared to use 2xAA unless you like slowdowns during tough scenes.

Are you CF capable? 4870/4890 x2 or x3 does a damn nice job too. Lots of choices. Above all, don't let Crysis influence your decisions too heavily. I thought I'd chew it up bigtime with 285 Tri-SLi but 4xAA all settings maxed still wins.

 

[aztec88]

First off thanks to you both for replying so swiftly!

@ mentalcrisis00 Well thanks for the reply bro I appreciate it! As for why I need to play Crysis @ those levels? the answer is because I can lol! and 2ndly Despite your concern, and believe me bro I do appreciate it, I am NOT building this system solely to play Crysis. This system will be used for gamimg,academics,multimedia etc.

But as a rule of thumb for PC gaming I've learned go by the HOG for reference. And as of now and as of the past couple years that HOG has been Crysis. So thats why I'm asking. If I can run Crysis @ those settings comfortably then I can pretty much run anyother game out there hands down!


@ Hauk tyZ for the reference bro it HELPZ!!!..and yeah I could and am thinking about CF'ing some 4890's...thats always an option. I could also just get a GTX 295!..its in my budget..what do ya say? would I be better off getting 1 GTX 295 as opposed to 2 280's and or 3 250's? or the rather?...lemme make it simpler out of the options for GPU listed below which would be my best option for total enthuiast bleeding edge visuals?

Basically heres my budget options:

GTX 285 1gb DDR3
GTX 280 SLI 2gb DDR3
GTS 250 Tri SLI 3gb DDR3
CF 4890 2gb DDR5
GTX 295 1.7gb DDR3


Thanks GUyZ

 

[JAG87]

Originally posted by: mentalcrisis00
The rule of thumb for most people is to get the least amount of most powerful graphics cards one can afford.

This. So well put.

 

[Hauk]

Originally posted by: JAG87

Originally posted by: mentalcrisis00
The rule of thumb for most people is to get the least amount of most powerful graphics cards one can afford.

This. So well put.

And this is how my recommendation would fall. I'd recommend two cards over three, be it 4890, 280, 285. My third card helps, but barely. With only the most demanding games is there a realized gain in smoothing out the most demanding scenes. If you like the idea of extra memory, 4870 2GB CF, 275 1792MB SLI, 285 2GB SLI. It will help a little with big title games that chew up frame buffer and give extra room for AA. With dx11 on the way, no choice is future proof right now. In other words, 1GB cards are as good an option.

250's are cheap but they're old tech redone. Avoid IMO if anything, for resale value's sake. I'd consider 260 core 216 Tri-SLi over 250's. Again, lots of options, but be thinking about the most powerful card(s) instead of many less powerful cards.

A final consideration, if not running an x58 mobo solution, a 3rd gpu will be even less a benefit.

 

[aztec88]

Thanks Hauk!

Thanks alot for the valuable input I need this kind of stuff!
So if its best to think about more powerful cards and a lesser quanity would my ideal choice be the GTX 295? its obviously the most powerful dual gpu on the planet and only takes up 1 PCIe. I mean the only thing faster than 1 GTX 295 would be 2 GTX 285's in SLI or possibly 2 highly overclocked GTX 280's in SLI, or even 2 HD4890's in CF! But if less is more...which everyone knows it is than wouldn't the GTX 295 be my best choice? Cash isn't really a problem as far as a GPU goes for this build I can spend up to $500-$575..so that easily puts me in the range for a GTX 295 @ the Egg. And even gives me some cushion with a GTX 280 SLI setup.

So I dunno but I'm really @ a crossroads at this time, this is my first build and I've done all of my homework! For the past 3 months I've spent hours pouring over forums topics asking questions, researching and what not. I'm totaly concrete on everything else in my system except the GPU its just driving me NUTS!!! christ there are so many options and combonations.

I really appreciate the input from all of you guyz..but unfortunately I still remain undecided, and need further swaying in what direction I really don't care!!!..So plz humor my indecisiveness and let me know what the hell I should do!!! christ its really frustrating me @ this point with everything else set and ready to order I'm still stuck on what GPU and or GPU(s) I should get and like the song from DJ TOXIC "Its Killing ME"...olo hahah I dunno if anyone here has heard that song..but AnyhooZ thought I'd just throw that one out on the stoop and see if the cat licks it up..don't get a hairball though lol!!

AnyhooZ Plz reply and tell me!!! Hauk you have been so helpful bro..hit me with some more digits!!

Take Care

 

[Hauk]

Yea two powerful cards will do the trick. A 295 would be good but if you decide to go that route, wait for the single pcb versions to surface. It'll likely have better thermals, and may have better overhead. Decisions decisions...

 

[aztec88]

Thanks man hey I think I'm decided about going with 2 GTX 280's in SLI check out this vid

Crysis w/GTX 280 SLI Setup

 

[cusideabelincoln]

Two GTX285s would give you the best performance, better than both a single GTX295 and Tri-SLI GTX250s.

If that doesn't fit in your budget then two HD4890s or GTX275s would also work well.

Without AA: http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3520&p=7

With 4xAA: http://xbitlabs.com/articles/v...-hd4890cf_9.html#sect2

 

[mentalcrisis00]

just a quick note, the 40nm cards are already coming out and I believe nvidia is launching theirs sometime this summer. With the release of windows 7 in 2010 there are rumblings of directx 11 cards coming this summer or fall. I usually don't believe in waiting for new tech to come out because it's changing all the time anyway but this summer/fall will probably be a substantial leap.

However if you do have the money to spend why wait? You can always sell the card down the road if you have the urge to buy the new cards when they do come out.

For me anything over a GTX 260 or 4870 paired with a leading cpu and board is a step in the right direction. I agree with Hauk that the GTS 250 is basically a rebadged G92 chip and is the "old technology", however in the computer arena pretty much anything over 6 months old is considered to be majorly out of date.

Good luck to you.

 

[happy medium]

Originally posted by: aztec88
Hey guyZ its me again!...I have another question. And I can't seem to find the answer anywhere on the net nowhere!!..I was wondering what kind of FPS I would be getting with
CRYSIS @ 1920x1200 no AA to 4XAA with 3 GTS 250's 1GB Tri SLI'ed?

Will also be running Phenom II 940 3.0Ghz and 4 GB DDR2.

PLease give me an idea..I would also like to know if I'd be better off getting 2 GTX 280's or the 3 GTS 250's?...please help me out here lol...

Thanks in advance!

Correct me if I'm wrong, but dosen't his cpu roughly equal a Q9550 @ stock?

Does that cpu even have the power to push 2 gtx 280's or 2 4890 's?

With that 940 cpu stock I would save some money and try a 2gb 4890 or one gtx 275 1792 mb (overclock it to gtx 285 levels). See how that goes and add a second one later if your cpu allows. .

 

[aztec88]

Wrong the Q9550 is @ 2.8
940 BE 3.0....+ I plan to overclock..to around 3.5-3.7...and yes the 940 has more than enough power to push either one of those cards in SLI or CF


Thanks you and have a nice day!

 

[aztec88]

@ mentalcrisis00 As far as the GTS 250 TRI SLI's are concerned..I really dont care about how old they are, I mean seriously..I just want to know if I can get good performance with 3 of them in Crysis @ the settings I've mentioned. Like I said I cant find any reviews and or statements anywhere about it so...thats why I've been asking around here. I know that they arent the newest thing out...but I'd have 3 gb memory+ 3 SC Cards...I mean come on the performance can't be that bad right?...

I mean you hit the nail right on the head mentalcrisis00..In the Pc market if something is a few months old its "Old Tech"....and though I know that the GTS 250's are older than 2 months you get my point right?...I mean look im not totally PRO GTS 250 and against any other combo...I'm just saying...I dont care wether they're old tech or not...Im more concerned about performance in perticular Crysis...if someone could shoot me some hypothetical numbers here? that would be great!...like I said I'm still very much so open to everything else...but I just cant rule 3 of these baby's out just cuz they're a little old!..I mean come on guys!

Would 3 of these be comparable to 2 GTX 280's?....I dunno.

Thanks again to EVERYONE! keep em comming!

 

[happy medium]

Originally posted by: aztec88
Wrong the Q9550 is @ 2.8
940 BE 3.0....+ I plan to overclock..to around 3.5-3.7...and yes the 940 has more than enough power to push either one of those cards in SLI or CF


Thanks you and have a nice day!

A 940 BE @ 3.5 is roughly = to a Qx9650 @ 3.3. We all know that clock for clock the Q9650 is faster.

<These benchmarks are done at 2560x1600 so at your 1900x1200 res the bottleneck will be larger.

A Q9650 is the bottleneck for sli'd 280gtx's in crysis until it's clocked to 4.0 GHz.

http://www.benchmarkextreme.co...urrent=CRYSISCPU-1.jpg

In Call of Duty WAW the bottleneck ends with the Q9650 @ 3.8

http://www.benchmarkextreme.co...w¤t=CODWAW-1.jpg

Same story with Fallout 3

http://www.benchmarkextreme.co...current=FALLOUT3-1.jpg

And with Race Driver Grid

http://www.benchmarkextreme.co...t=RACEDRIVERGRID-1.jpg


http://www.benchmarkextreme.co...eck%20Analysis/P2.html

Coclusion? Copied fron article.

CONCLUSION



"Allright...we now have an exhaustive list of games to compare and contrast and see how CPU speed affects gaming. What I have shown above is just raw data. All this data is open for further analysis. Infact, I will post a follow up article on an indepth analysis on these numbers. It seems that at 2560 X 1600 gaming experience in most modern and semi-modern titles can be noticeably improved by overclocking to 3.80 GHZ with a GPU system as powerful as overclocked GTX 280 SLI."

So even at 2560x1600 resolution your cpu is a bottleneck until you overclock it to 4.1 since that roughly equals a Q9650 @ 3.8.

You'd have to overclock your 940 to 4.4/4.5 Ghz (good guess?) to see the true benifits from sli'd 280gtx's @ 1900x1200 since at this resolution the bottleneck will be larger.

So save yourself some money and grab sli'd 260gtx's or 2- 4870's 1gb.
Tri sli with 3 mid range cards (gts 250) is never a good idea.

Hope this helps. And you have a nice day!

 

[nitromullet]

I know it's not in your list of options, but if I was looking at getting an SLI setup from the ground up right now I'd go with dual GTX 260s. Best SLI bang/buck IMO. Of course, SLIed GTX 275/280/285 will be a bit faster, but the individual cards are significantly more expensive than the GTX 260. Having blown a lot of cash on video cards in my day, I think the rule I'm going to use going forward to to either stick with a singe flagship card from launch or two of the next card down from the flagship at launch. That should cover me for the whole generation.

The reason you don't want to get three GTS 250s is because there are diminishing returns on every gpu. You'll do better overall with two more powerful cards. Plus, SLI doesn't share memory between the cards (neither does Crossfire) so you don't really have 3GB of video RAM, but 1GB for each GPU.

 

[aztec88]

Thanks guyZ

@ happy medium, tyZ for those benchies bro, I had no Idea I was walking into a severe bottle neck'in there. TyZ for pointing that out!!! seriously..the last thing I want with this build is a frekin BN. I have a couple questions regarding that though. There is a guy on youtube that has a 940 BE oc'ed to like 3.5 or 3.7? Im not for sure would have to double check, but anyhooz hes running 2 4890's in CF and gets about 40-50 FPS in Crysis all @ very high + AA. Is he being bottlenecked aswell? not being sarcastic just curious!...could he be getting more outta those 2 4890's if he had a better CPU? my guess is most likely.

What if I was to upgrade to an i7 920? would that be sufficient?

And If I was say to stay with the 940 would even a GTX 295 be bottlenecked?...I know it sounds retarted but...the GTX 280'sSLI are more powerful and use more power etc...so just asking.

Whats your take on the HD 4870 2gb CF?

Thanks alot man...you've opened my mind to a few things that have proven to be very important!.....and lastly which CPU would be best for the sli 280s?...


@ nitromullet. Thanks for the input man, yeah I've offically ruled out the gts 250s... 2 of em in SLI only pump out 22 FPS in crysis 1920x1200 very high DX10...and a 3rd would maybe get me to 25-28?...but defenitately not worth the hassle or cash when I can get something else that would double those frames. Any recommendations on CPU GPU combo? and like I asked happy..opinions on overclocked 4870 vapor x 2gb?


Thanks ALOT guys this has really helped me out alot you guys ROCK! but dont stop replying yet lol!! I still need answers!


Thanks Again and @ Happy Medium You have a Magnificent Day!

 

[happy medium]

Originally posted by: aztec88
Thanks guyZ

@ happy medium, tyZ for those benchies bro, I had no Idea I was walking into a severe bottle neck'in there. TyZ for pointing that out!!! seriously..the last thing I want with this build is a frekin BN. I have a couple questions regarding that though. There is a guy on youtube that has a 940 BE oc'ed to like 3.5 or 3.7? Im not for sure would have to double check, but anyhooz hes running 2 4890's in CF and gets about 40-50 FPS in Crysis all @ very high + AA. Is he being bottlenecked aswell? not being sarcastic just curious!...could he be getting more outta those 2 4890's if he had a better CPU? my guess is most likely.

What if I was to upgrade to an i7 920? would that be sufficient?

And If I was say to stay with the 940 would even a GTX 295 be bottlenecked?...I know it sounds retarted but...the GTX 280'sSLI are more powerful and use more power etc...so just asking.

Whats your take on the HD 4870 2gb CF?

Thanks alot man...you've opened my mind to a few things that have proven to be very important!.....and lastly which CPU would be best for the sli 280s?...


@ nitromullet. Thanks for the input man, yeah I've offically ruled out the gts 250s... 2 of em in SLI only pump out 22 FPS in crysis 1920x1200 very high DX10...and a 3rd would maybe get me to 25-28?...but defenitately not worth the hassle or cash when I can get something else that would double those frames. Any recommendations on CPU GPU combo? and like I asked happy..opinions on overclocked 4870 vapor x 2gb?


Thanks ALOT guys this has really helped me out alot you guys ROCK! but dont stop replying yet lol!! I still need answers!


Thanks Again and @ Happy Medium You have a Magnificent Day!

Hey, I'm gald to help. As to you question about The Cf 4890's being bottlenecked on youtube? Yes they are bottlenecked. An i7 core system overclocked would have added 10/15= fps to that.

The best option for a highend cross/sli combo is a i7 system overclocked to 3.6/3.7. There is website with benchmarks showing the benifits of having an i7 core cpu and highend tri sli/ trifire setup also. If I find it I'll post it for you. An overclocked i7 core @4.0 vs an overclocked Q9650 @4.0 and the Q9650 takes a woopen by like 25% in some games and more in other applications.

You welcome and anytime and You have a Super Terrific Day also.:laugh:

Heres some benchies with a core i7 956 vs Q9770 and tri sli'd 280's. The i7core syem beats the Q9770 by a large margin. Only here does a core i7 sytem @ 3.2 needs to be overclocked to use the 3 280 gtx's power.

http://www.guru3d.com/article/...-performance-review/19

Quote from Tom's hardware

"Last but not least, Crysis Warhead. Again, both the E8400 and even QX9770 stumble into pretty hefty CPU limitation whereas the Core i7 keeps on steaming.

So for the last time I'm explaining this, to get the message clear... you need heaps of GPU performance like 3-way SLI GTX 280 in order to be able to show what the Core i7 can do. Would we have shown GTX 260 in SLI here... the differences would be much smaller as the GPUs can't go any faster.

You could also look at this processor as a good investment for future (much faster) graphics cards.

Look at this bench mark the core i7 system puts a beating on a Q9770 extreme in Crysis @ 1900x1200.

With sli'd 280's the Q9770 @ 3.2 ghz had 32 fps vs the core i7 's 40fps in Crysis. You might say thats only 8fps but it might be the difference in playable or not playable.

http://www.tomshardware.com/re...-i7-gaming,2061-7.html

Heres Crysis Warhead its even more here 30 for the Q9770 vs 41
for core i7. Remember a Q9770 stock = 940 @ 3.6/3.7.

http://www.tomshardware.com/re...-i7-gaming,2061-8.html

 

[aztec88]

Hey thanks alot Happy you're begining to become my fav poster on here! lolZ!...
Thats too bad that those 4890's are BN with the 940...still though 30-40 FPs @ 1920x1200 dx 10 aint bad either yet still ya know?....
What about the 4890's with a Phenom II 955 BE 3.2GHZ? its roughly 60 bucks more!

Thats great to hear about teh i7...its an option...it just all comes down to price atm. I can get my whole system for 1k right now thats with the 2 4890's OC to 900Mhz, and the 940 BE!...If I was to add the i7,X58 Mobo,DDR3, and what not which I did...Right now I'm looking at approx: 1,354.89....which is quite an increase from the 1k! as ya can see. My question to ya is....would I be pretty set with the 955 BE? for an extra 60 bucks I can justify it!...plus I have the option to use ddr3 if I want. which is nice.

I think that I'm pretty sold on the 4890's atm I mean come on OC to 900MHz and only 249.99!!!! 1gb DDR5..it aint too shabby especially if I have 2.

Thanks again Happy Medium

And Have Superfluous Day!:laugh:

 

[aztec88]

Heres that Vid in some spots he hits 60+VID Heres some benchies...on the 4890's in CF...keep in mind they also most likely just like everyone else going by the most intense lvl...which I think is the harbor or something? anyhooZ I've read that most all practical Crysis benchies take part there. 4890 CF


Thanks! PS...just noticed that hes playing @ 1680x1050...so then just refer to the Techpowerup stuff then. Hey I'm perticular about things, my monirot maxes out @ 1920x1200 with a 2ms respose ...and DAMMIT I wanna play @ that rez nothing lower or I'll just buy a different combo of cards!...but these 4890's seem to do the job might well! I mean that FPS is with 4x AA if I tone it down to 2xAA and or no AA of which either one is fine by me I could prob hit mid to upper 40's which would be insane!


Enjoy


Thanks again Happy U DA MAN!:shocked:

 

[happy medium]

Originally posted by: aztec88
Hey thanks alot Happy you're begining to become my fav poster on here! lolZ!...
Thats too bad that those 4890's are BN with the 940...still though 30-40 FPs @ 1920x1200 dx 10 aint bad either yet still ya know?....
What about the 4890's with a Phenom II 955 BE 3.2GHZ? its roughly 60 bucks more!

Thats great to hear about teh i7...its an option...it just all comes down to price atm. I can get my whole system for 1k right now thats with the 2 4890's OC to 900Mhz, and the 940 BE!...If I was to add the i7,X58 Mobo,DDR3, and what not which I did...Right now I'm looking at approx: 1,354.89....which is quite an increase from the 1k! as ya can see. My question to ya is....would I be pretty set with the 955 BE? for an extra 60 bucks I can justify it!...plus I have the option to use ddr3 if I want. which is nice.

I think that I'm pretty sold on the 4890's atm I mean come on OC to 900MHz and only 249.99!!!! 1gb DDR5..it aint too shabby especially if I have 2.

Thanks again Happy Medium

And Have Superfluous Day!:laugh:

By no means am I saying that your 940 overclocked @3.5 will not use the second 4890. It will. Just not to it's FULL potential. Also a 955 be is the same cpu as the 940 just a higher ghz. So if you overclock the 940 it will be the same as the 955. so no thats not a real good option either. Sorry.


The core i7 system overclocked will utilize both your crossfired 4890's and be begging for a third when you wish. You might pick one up for 150.00$ in a few months? But if you do your 940 system will give you little benefit while the Core system won't require a cpu upgrade AGAIN.

It's up to how much you want to spend I guess.
You'll spend now or spend later. If you spend now you have a faster system now and a faster system later on the cheap. If you spend later you have a slower system now and a more exspensive cpu/gpu upgrade later...

Speaking of later ...........I hope your day is better then mine.
Happy

 

[happy medium]

Originally posted by: aztec88
Heres that Vid in some spots he hits 60+VID Heres some benchies...on the 4890's in CF...keep in mind they also most likely just like everyone else going by the most intense lvl...which I think is the harbor or something? anyhooZ I've read that most all practical Crysis benchies take part there. 4890 CF


Thanks! PS...just noticed that hes playing @ 1680x1050...so then just refer to the Techpowerup stuff then. Hey I'm perticular about things, my monirot maxes out @ 1920x1200 with a 2ms respose ...and DAMMIT I wanna play @ that rez nothing lower or I'll just buy a different combo of cards!...but these 4890's seem to do the job might well! I mean that FPS is with 4x AA if I tone it down to 2xAA and or no AA of which either one is fine by me I could prob hit mid to upper 40's which would be insane!


Enjoy


Thanks again Happy U DA MAN!:shocked:

Yea, take a look at the test system !? It's a core i7 920 (280$) overclocked to 3.8!
Thats Eqivilant to a 955 BE @ 4.1 at least !

You see where I'm comming from?

No YOU DA MAN!:beer: