Mixing GPU manufacturers.

[zane1214]

Ok so this may seem like a dumb question, but one I need to ask.

 

I currently have an AMD Radion R9 290 tri x from "Saphire" and though I haven't upgraded my CPU and mobo yet I get low FPS on games. So I had the thought of getting a second GPU. And before you ask it would be a second AMD Radion R9 290.

 

My question is, could I use a "Saphire " card and say a referance card without trouble? I know both cards would ideally need to be at the same clock setting but that would be easy enough and would be a different post to learn what to do.

 

To recap can you use to of the same gpu's but from different companies?

[manikyath]

yes, it just looks hideous.

[WoodenMarker]

The brand doesn't matter. The clock speed will be set to the lower of the two by default but you can manually set them to something higher. 

[Rolling Potatoe]

a single 290 runs 1440p quite comfortably, what exactly is your cpu?

If it is really ``crap´´ a second 290 woldnt help much.

 

[TheHiddenCreeper]

23 minutes ago, Rolling Potatoe said:

a single 290 runs 1440p quite comfortably, what exactly is your cpu?

If it is really ``crap´´ a second 290 woldnt help much.

 

adding more cards wont help

 

upgrade your cpu

[zane1214]

As long as it would work. You dont want to know what my current CPU is

. 

I will be getting a i5 4690k this month as its my birthday and my inlaws are really good to me. 

 

I need a new monitor to and I know that will impact as well. I ask as I can get a second R9 290 for less than I paid for mine.

 

Is it easy enough to set the clock speed of the GPU's as one? 

[WoodenMarker]

50 minutes ago, zane1214 said:

Is it easy enough to set the clock speed of the GPU's as one? 

The clock speeds will match to the lowest of the two by default when you turn on crossfire. 

[-rascal-]

As long at the GPU architecture/Core is the same, you can run them I'm Crossfire. For an example, you can Crossfire a R9-290 with:

- Another R9-290

- R9-290X

- R9-390

- R9-390X

- R9-295X2

 

All the GPUs use the same "Hawaii" chip.

 

You also DO NOT need to run your cards at the same clock frequencies. It is ideal, but not 100% necessary. AMD is a lot more forgiving than NVidia.

 

Observe (sorry, I am on mobile):

Spoiler

 

 

 

[zane1214]

So why dose anyone bother with duel GPU's then? Is there any real noticeable difference to gaming?  

[Starelementpoke]

3 minutes ago, zane1214 said:

So why dose anyone bother with duel GPU's then? Is there any real noticeable difference to gaming?  

Yes, but only i games who have supported it and have implemented it well.

[zane1214]

Not sure if its worth it for me then. But thanks dude