Is crossfire sufficient for my monitor?

[cali101]

I'm currently using an HD4850 512mb at 2048x1152 resolution. From what I understand, 512mb of GDDR is not really enough for that resolution (and i can tell when gaming - not being able to use high amounts of AA or AF ).

So I was wondering: since i don't have the funds for a newer 1GB card (and probably won't for a while), would getting another HD4850 be enough to compensate for the lack of graphics ram?

 

BTW i think my sig is outdated but I'm still using the Q9550 and 5gb ram...

 

Thanks in advance for any help...

[potatochobit]

if you buy it used and cheap, under 50$, its fine

next year you should definitely step up to the 7000 series

[Speedway]

To answer your question...No adding a second 512mb 4850 will not affect the lack of needed VRAM for resolution needs. Whether you have 512MB, 1GB, or 2GB graphics cards, adding a second one in Corssfire does not double you VRAM. You would still only have 512MB of available VRAM. For instance, I have (2) 2GB HD 6970's, but that doesn't mean I have 4GB of VRAM, I still only have 2GB Now that being said, you will still get an fps boost by adding another 4850

[cali101]

To answer your question...No adding a second 512mb 4850 will not affect the lack of needed VRAM for resolution needs. Whether you have 512MB, 1GB, or 2GB graphics cards, adding a second one in Crossfire does not double you VRAM. You would still only have 512MB of available VRAM. For instance, I have (2) 2GB HD 6970's, but that doesn't mean I have 4GB of VRAM, I still only have 2GB Now that being said, you will still get an fps boost by adding another 4850

 

Thanks. I knew it didn't double the vram, but I wanted to know if just having an extra GPU would be enough of an improvement to compensate for not having more vram.

 

Think I'll get a 4830 and overclock the 2 cards instead - 2nd hand 4850s are scarce and expensive in England - cheapest one i can find is £65 :-( .

[potatochobit]

not a good idea!

check for other used cards first, 5770, 6850, GTX460

skip lunch for a week

eat ramen

[Waco]

If you're not pushing high-res textures you may be okay - if you're running into VRAM limitations now the only thing that'll fix that is more VRAM (a new card) or lower resolution textures (turn settings down). A second card will surely make things smoother at the settings you run now though.

[cali101]

not a good idea!

check for other used cards first, 5770, 6850, GTX460

skip lunch for a week

eat ramen

Too late! Already paid for Now to find where to buy a crossfire bridge

 

Thanks for your answers anyway

[Fight Game]

too late i guess, but it would also depend on what game(s) you're playing.

[Speedway]

Now to find where to buy a crossfire bridge :

 

Not sure about Ebay UK, but they are pretty cheap here on Ebay! Too bad your not in the states, or I would just give you one.