Computer Q&A

[BigBear]

Not really. I know the MOBO will support it... but I guess I'm just wondering if I will see any apparent advantage (besides one or two FPS, which can be acheived with OC'ing an indivudual card) with having two video cards on one moniter... Or if with the amount of RAM, etc, it doesn't really matter. Seems that the only folks I know running two GPU's also run two moniters.

[Byte Stryke]

In high graphics games you will see less "transition Latency" as well as lower stress on the cards.
if you have the funding for it, go for it. it is my experience that SLI/Crossfire configurations will improve your graphics performance on Single and Multiple monitors as well as extending the usable life of your cards.

[BigBear]

Ok, let's make this a bit more challenging:

What role does the "onboard" memory of a GPU play?

Scenarios:

Does 1x 5850 2GB equal 2x 5850 1GB?

[Byte Stryke]

ok, in BASIC layman's terms..

think of a Video Card as a funnel.
The GPU of the Card is the Nozzle part
the Memory is the Bowl Part.

if the sand is being poured in faster than the GPU can handle it the Memory buffers up and holds Sand "instructions"

the Bigger the Bowl (memory) the More "instructions" it can hold
the Bigger the Nozzle (GPU) the faster it can pass the Instructions down the line.
if you have allot of sand (instructions) and you have 2 "funnels" Cards you would think you process twice the sand, but you don't. its actually closer to 1.8x IIRC. That's a topic for another time.

It really is kind of a dumb analogy, but It should give you a basic understanding.

more info here:
http://www.howstuffworks.com/graphics-card.htm

[BigBear]

Got it, Rgr that.

Thanks.
One more week and I can order.