Triple-GPU Scaling: AMD CrossFire Vs. Nvidia SLI

[erek]

Two GPUs are great, but are three that much better? When it comes to multi-card scaling, can AMD finally beat Nvidia? Who really needs this much performance?

We loaded a super-fast system in single-, dual-, and triple-GPU configurations to find out.The battle for GPU supremacy is a bit of a waiting game. The recent launch of AMD's Radeon HD 6990 (AMD Radeon HD 6990 4 GB Review: Antilles Makes [Too Much] Noise) and upcoming introduction of Nvidia's GeForce GTX 590 help demonstrate.

Roughly every six moths, two companies with similarly-capable products wait to see what the other one will showcase, hoping to trump that introduction a few days later by tweaking the clocks, power, and configuration of their own product. Both firms use these delays to build anticipation among followers. Though, as that very same 6990 story showed us, being a "fan" of either company is just silly. Why make excuses for one design team's poor execution and then slam the competition for the very same thing?

(please visit the source link for the details)...

Source: tom's hardware

[Sound_Card]

Conclusion: ATi's Crossfire scaling crushes Nvidia's SLI.

[erek]

Conclusion: ATi's Crossfire scaling crushes Nvidia's SLI.

[moshpit]

"We"?

[erek]

"We"?

whoops

[moshpit]

whoops

LOL, good clean up

[Ristogod]

Last Crossfire system I had was 2 5870s. With them I had more noticeable micro stuttering. I can't speak for the current ATI cards though. I haven't tried them. However, if they share the same issue, I'd rather have less scaling for improved smoothness.

Also, I'm not trying to discredit this article, but Tom's isn't my first choice hardware reviews. Has any other site done similar tests? I'd be interested to see a more reputable site run the same basic tests, even if their results mirrored this article.

I must say though, while I really like my GTX580s, I was an ATI user for much longer. So it' s a little strange not being in on what AMD has going on lately, which seems to be much improved overall package.

I'm anxious to see what bulldozer brings later, to see if putting together an all AMD machine would be worth it. My fear is though that it will be fairly similar in performance to what I already have now, or not far enough ahead to justify changing over again (which is kind of how I feel about Sandy Bridge now).

[Sound_Card]

It's actually almost common knowledge that crossfire leaped ahead of SLi with the HD 6 series. I have crossfire now my self with a pair of HD 6950's and not ONE GAME have I had experienced micro stutter. In many of the games even on a CPU that by all means should be holding me back, I'm getting over 100% scaling on 1920x1080.

As far as toms, if anything, they have always been biased to NV. So for them to come out and have an article that paints ATI in a good light speaks volumes about Crossfire scaling and the over all platform in general.

Anybody interested in a dual GPU rig should take heed. A single 6950 or 70 already has great value vs the 570 and 80. That Value virtually MORE THAN DOUBLES with Crossfire vs SLi. The performance is even closer, but the price difference is twice as large as before. In this article they take it a step further and bring in triple GPU set up. As seen, the performance then sways to ATi all together, and the price difference is now tripled. Thats amazing.

[demo]

leaped ahead lol hardly.. no crossfire went from slightly less scaling to slightly more, as in a couple %. I also find those benches out of whack, my tri 5850 system scaled much better than Toms tri systems..

[Ristogod]

It's actually almost common knowledge that crossfire leaped ahead of SLi with the HD 6 series.

Well, if thats at all a true statement (considering the source, I'm taking it with a grain of salt), I have to say it sure took them long enough (and doesn't inspire a lot of confidence from me). I spent a lot of money being loyal through the years and every crossfire system I had was by far 2nd rate to any SLI system. After finally giving SLI a try, 90% of the issues I had were solved.

I like the 6 series, and I like what AMD is doing on the GPU side of things. But I'm not ready to jump back in bed with them quite yet.

[Sound_Card]

Well, if thats at all a true statement (considering the source, I'm taking it with a grain of salt), I have to say it sure took them long enough (and doesn't inspire a lot of confidence from me). I spent a lot of money being loyal through the years and every crossfire system I had was by far 2nd rate to any SLI system. After finally giving SLI a try, 90% of the issues I had were solved.

I like the 6 series, and I like what AMD is doing on the GPU side of things. But I'm not ready to jump back in bed with them quite yet.

Never had crossfire back then, only now. Like I side, my experience thus far has been flawless. Yes, it's a known fact that the 6 series has leaped ahead with scaling. They scale WAY better than the 5 series, and same vs Nvidia. They are serious about Crossfire, and they showing it. Hence why I jumped on it now. I don't know what 90% of problems you had, but near weekly profiles, Radeon Pro, superior scaling, I reckon majority is fixed.

[Debello]

Worthless benchmarks from Tom's Hardware like always, nobody is going to have Tri SLI/Crossfire and not have NV Surround or Eyefinity.

Show me those benchmarks, then we can have a discussion about scaling.

[Sound_Card]

More than likely it would be even more in favor of ATi considering they scale better and further close the gap(or take the lead) the higher you increase the resolution.

[demo]

"leaped ahead".. "way better"... lol SC you crack me up..

[Sound_Card]

"leaped ahead".. "way better"... lol SC you crack me up..

Leaped ahead, way better than the 5 series and before. Enough to be ahead of NV. I should write it like that next time. I hope your not too offended by it. Results show it though. It is well conclusive across many review sites.

[demo]

Lol I know its your first CFX system and you're a little excited but just take a deep breath and relax.. 5 series scaled well, only a couple % behind Nvidia, now 6 series scale a couple % better than Nvidia (and 5 series). I know AMD needs every little win they can get at the moment but please dont blow it out of proportion, AMD have done a great job to improve scaling but its nothing earth shattering or ground breaking compared to what else is and has been available...

[Sound_Card]

Lol I know its your first CFX system and you're a little excited but just take a deep breath and relax.. 5 series scaled well, only a couple % behind Nvidia, now 6 series scale a couple % better than Nvidia (and 5 series). I know AMD needs every little win they can get at the moment but please dont blow it out of proportion, AMD have done a great job to improve scaling but its nothing earth shattering or ground breaking compared to what else is and has been available...

Relax?
Look, I don't what I have said that entails that I have been "excited" in this thread. If anything, I think you slightly offended by the facts, despite you being accepting of it. I guess that is a good first step for you. Everything is quite proportional.

[demo]

Sorry but a couple % does not translate to "leaps ahead" and "way better" to me, slightly improved over previous gen yes but thats about it..

Seriously 5 series (and 4 series) scaled very well for me, many times showing north of 90% scaling, and my Tri 5 series scaled exceptionaly well, far better than Toms results.

[caveman-jim]

5 series scaled well, only a couple % behind Nvidia, now 6 series scale a couple % better than Nvidia (and 5 series).

Yep. It's nice to see improvements, it helps encourage competition.

[moshpit]

I gotta say this. Sound Card, you really are amusing. LEAPS AND BOUNDS, LEAPS OVER TALL BUILDINGS, it's LEAPINGLY AWESOME!!!

[demo]

You left out "Crushes"

[Sound_Card]

Better is just fine.

[demo]

Slightly better than 5 series yes. Looking at a much more comprehensive review of 6970CFX vs 570SLI they both scaled almost identically across a wider range of games and settings than Toms review.. I was also surprised that even though they have near identical scaling that 570 SLI ended up with an average lead of around 15% performance over 6970 CFX.

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/radeon-hd6970-crossfirex_6.html#sect0

[moshpit]

You left out "Crushes"

Don't forget "leaps and bounds"