Geometry vs Graphics

[speedyrudolf]

Hi. I want to buy a new pc and I'm thinking about using 2 graphics cards (someone said something that I thought would be interesting to try). So here are the questions:
1) can one graphics card be used to do the graphics/textures and one to do the geometry (both being ATI cards: Radeon X1900XTX and Radeon HD5750)?
2) (if yes to the first one) which one needs more processing power, texture or geometry?
Thank you in advance. Bye.

 

[kjv1611]

I don't think it'll work that way.. unless you are able to handle the custom hardware programming somehow yourself. Right now, there are only 2 different tools/uses with graphics cards that I'm aware of:

1. Physics control - this is now usually just done on the same card, but you can get a PhysX card for isntance, to supposedly help some there. From what I've read it isn't worth having.

2. Taking on some of the CPU tasks... tasks normally handled by the CPU. For instance, nVidia has been working with their Cuda platform to do more in that area..

Why is it that you think you'll benefit from dual video cards. Oftentimes, the only real benefit is if you're wanting to play the fastest video games at the aboslute highest graphics settings. And sometimes you come out slower than with a single card, b/c the system has to work extra hard making sure the 2 cards work together correctly.

For nVidia cards, you'll need to look for info on SLI. For aTi cards, you'll need to look for info on CrossFire. You'd need to also make sure your motherboard supports whichever you want to go for. Some boards now supporot both, but up until recent, some boards supported one, while other boards supported the other.

--

"If to err is human, then I must be some kind of human!" -Me

 

[kmcferrin]

You may want to find a more specialist forum somewhere to get a better answer. I do know that PhysX will run on ATI cards, but there are three big questions here:

1. Will PhysX on ATI function with Crossfire (two of the same card)? It seems like it should, but since PhysX is an nVidia technology it's hard to say.

2. IF PhysX works on Crossfire, does it work on Hybrid Crossfire (two different ATI cards)? This is a big question mark.

3. Finally, does the Radeon x1900xtx card even support Hybrid Crossfire? I thought that you needed to go to the 3000 series or later for that.

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