Processor and 2x HD3870x2 Question

Evileye · May 20, 2008, 10:57 PM

Hi all,

I have heard a few rumblings on other forums about Processor Speed effecting Crossfired Cards.

I have adequate Power supply to run 2 HD3870x2's, but where I'm concerned is my CPU......an AMD Athlon 64 X2 6400+ Black Edition.
It's been reported that my Processor is too slow to bennifit from a Duel HD3870x2 Crossfired set-up.

Is there any truth to this rumor or are they all just jealous ?

mkk · May 20, 2008, 11:27 PM

Some games are much more CPU demanding than others and that's what the major factor is. To get the most out of a dual 3870X2 setup or a single 3870X2 you might need to lower a games settings for geometrical detail or advanced physics. A 3870X2 could still supply its bandwidth for using high antialiasing settings in high resolutions, but on some games there may be dips in the framerate because of the CPU not quite keeping up. A 3.2GHz Athlon64 X2 isn't that bad, it's just that for instance an Intel Core 2 Duo at about the same clock would perform significantly better in games. And since they can regularly reach higher clock speeds with relatively simple overclocking methods they get extra attention.

Unless your monitor/LCD screen can run in some of the more extreme resolutions above 1920x1200 I doubt that two 3870X2's would be of much use, with any CPU.

Oh, and of course people would surely become jealous of your dual 3870X2's either way.

**kris23** · May 21, 2008, 02:37 AM

nobody here is jealous of your 6400+

were all running Quads and heavily OCed Core 2s

but yea on a more serious level, the X2 isnt bad, it just depends on the game and how much of the CPU is available to the GPUs, if you are playing Crysis and have all the stuff maxxed, the CPU will have its hands full, no Dual can run all those complex operations at once, a Quad is needed.

it really depends on the game but if you want BALANCE, get a Quad of some sort, a 9850 BE is better

Evileye · May 21, 2008, 03:55 AM

Well I appreciate the Feedback
And oh yes....Jealous was somewhat tongue and cheek

I agree my CPU is lacking. Wish I could afford a QX9xxx
Guess Ill have to settle for a Phenom.

Many thanks for the input

**kris23** · May 21, 2008, 04:55 AM

very few people can afford the Q9XXX series let alone the QX series........

a Phenom isnt THAT bad, i mean, its good and CAN OC through AMD overdrive....

just need good cooling and youre good.

Judas · May 21, 2008, 05:00 PM

The Q6600 is by far one of the most favorite and rather cost effective cpu's out there... benefitting from being quad core and the massive amount of cache on there....

H3X4D3C1M4L · May 29, 2008, 06:12 AM

A Phenom is by no means a bad chip. The Spider platform I think is very well thought out and AMD is getting a hard rap just because Intel is on top right now.

You can always get the cards then just upgrade the CPU later if need be. As it is, graphics cards these days are really powerful and unless (like mkk said) you play at very high resolutions there's really no need for more than 1.

Freulein · May 29, 2008, 07:36 PM

you can find a very interesting cpu comparsion on these page Computerbase-Cpu

written in german but the resluts are multilingual.

(kern/e= core)

you can see even a singlecore -cpu can handle most of the games.

i think amd 6400 x2 and 2x ati 3870x2, an wonderful combination.

PandaZ3 · Jun 1, 2008, 12:18 PM

I just have single 3870 and a 6400 and feel fine with mine, I know a X2 3870 would be a good bit more impressive, but I'm okay for now. I do have a AM2+ platform so I could go up to a Phenom, but so few games really use more than what I have, I don't own or plan to own Crysis. I was a single core hold out for a long time and really only went dual core to appease the lingering doubts. What single core can you buy for newer faster machines, they are gone. The 939 San Diego 4000 is the fastest Single I own. It does well, but it is a 2.4 default, the 5000 Black AM2 is a X2 at 2.6 default. Single cores are just memories now.

Your 6400 is fine for 99% of whats out there.

chris.bannister · Jul 10, 2008, 11:35 PM

Hey guys. The AMD processor in question is a great proc, however with two 3870x2 cards, you will experience problems with bottlenecking at the processor level. Kinda funny I know, that you can bottleneck a freakin proc!!! Tells you how far along we have come in the past few years. Good news is you can pickup a AMD Phenom x4, or x3 for around 220 USD. (Really cool part, you may even be avble to do this without replacing the mobo, if you have the AM2 proc slot!)

ChaosMinionX · Jul 13, 2008, 05:21 PM

Since you already have an AM2 socket, might as well stick with AMD and go Phenom....

However... if you got the money to buy a new motherboard, and to buy a new processor I would 100% say go Intel right now.

Best bet would be a Q6600 and a P35/P45 motherboard, but since you got 2 HD3870X2s get a X38/48 board.

May 20, 2008, 10:57 PM	#1
Evileye DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 14 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Processor and 2x HD3870x2 Question Hi all, I have heard a few rumblings on other forums about Processor Speed effecting Crossfired Cards. I have adequate Power supply to run 2 HD3870x2's, but where I'm concerned is my CPU......an AMD Athlon 64 X2 6400+ Black Edition. It's been reported that my Processor is too slow to bennifit from a Duel HD3870x2 Crossfired set-up. Is there any truth to this rumor or are they all just jealous ? __________________ AMD Athlon 64 X2 6400+ Black Edition / Vista X64 / Asus M3A32-MVP WIFI / Saphire Radeon 3870X2 / 2x2GB Kingston DDR2 800 Mhz / Antec Quatro 850W PSU / 2xWD 500 GB HD / Thermaltake Tsunami Dream case / 32" Daytek LCD

May 21, 2008, 02:37 AM	#3
kris23 Going Insane..... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,013 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	nobody here is jealous of your 6400+ were all running Quads and heavily OCed Core 2s but yea on a more serious level, the X2 isnt bad, it just depends on the game and how much of the CPU is available to the GPUs, if you are playing Crysis and have all the stuff maxxed, the CPU will have its hands full, no Dual can run all those complex operations at once, a Quad is needed. it really depends on the game but if you want BALANCE, get a Quad of some sort, a 9850 BE is better __________________ Hardwareheaven Super-Moderator Building a new computer system and not sure where to start? Click Here! last updated (5/18/11) Rosewill FUTURE case replaces CM 690 II with its greater interior length. Building a PC: Step by Step Guide Written by Kristopher Pedemonte and Nathan Marks-Forder Edited by Allan Campbell Questions or Comments? feel free to post them in the forums!

May 21, 2008, 03:55 AM	Thread Starter #4
Evileye DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 14 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Well I appreciate the Feedback And oh yes....Jealous was somewhat tongue and cheek I agree my CPU is lacking. Wish I could afford a QX9xxx Guess Ill have to settle for a Phenom. Many thanks for the input __________________ AMD Athlon 64 X2 6400+ Black Edition / Vista X64 / Asus M3A32-MVP WIFI / Saphire Radeon 3870X2 / 2x2GB Kingston DDR2 800 Mhz / Antec Quatro 850W PSU / 2xWD 500 GB HD / Thermaltake Tsunami Dream case / 32" Daytek LCD

May 21, 2008, 04:55 AM	#5
kris23 Going Insane..... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,013 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	very few people can afford the Q9XXX series let alone the QX series........ a Phenom isnt THAT bad, i mean, its good and CAN OC through AMD overdrive.... just need good cooling and youre good. __________________ Hardwareheaven Super-Moderator Building a new computer system and not sure where to start? Click Here! last updated (5/18/11) Rosewill FUTURE case replaces CM 690 II with its greater interior length. Building a PC: Step by Step Guide Written by Kristopher Pedemonte and Nathan Marks-Forder Edited by Allan Campbell Questions or Comments? feel free to post them in the forums!

May 29, 2008, 07:36 PM	#8
Freulein HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Germany Posts: 129 Rep Power: 58	you can find a very interesting cpu comparsion on these page Computerbase-Cpu written in german but the resluts are multilingual. (kern/e= core) you can see even a singlecore -cpu can handle most of the games. i think amd 6400 x2 and 2x ati 3870x2, an wonderful combination. __________________ Drinking Mates

May 20, 2008, 11:27 PM	#2
mkk Cthulhu/Dagon 2012 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Gefle, Sweden Posts: 4,481 Rep Power: 132 System Specs	Some games are much more CPU demanding than others and that's what the major factor is. To get the most out of a dual 3870X2 setup or a single 3870X2 you might need to lower a games settings for geometrical detail or advanced physics. A 3870X2 could still supply its bandwidth for using high antialiasing settings in high resolutions, but on some games there may be dips in the framerate because of the CPU not quite keeping up. A 3.2GHz Athlon64 X2 isn't that bad, it's just that for instance an Intel Core 2 Duo at about the same clock would perform significantly better in games. And since they can regularly reach higher clock speeds with relatively simple overclocking methods they get extra attention. Unless your monitor/LCD screen can run in some of the more extreme resolutions above 1920x1200 I doubt that two 3870X2's would be of much use, with any CPU. Oh, and of course people would surely become jealous of your dual 3870X2's either way.

May 29, 2008, 06:12 AM	#7
H3X4D3C1M4L DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 6,794 Rep Power: 0	A Phenom is by no means a bad chip. The Spider platform I think is very well thought out and AMD is getting a hard rap just because Intel is on top right now. You can always get the cards then just upgrade the CPU later if need be. As it is, graphics cards these days are really powerful and unless (like mkk said) you play at very high resolutions there's really no need for more than 1.

Jun 1, 2008, 12:18 PM	#9
PandaZ3 HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Cornelius, Oregon Posts: 419 Rep Power: 0	I just have single 3870 and a 6400 and feel fine with mine, I know a X2 3870 would be a good bit more impressive, but I'm okay for now. I do have a AM2+ platform so I could go up to a Phenom, but so few games really use more than what I have, I don't own or plan to own Crysis. I was a single core hold out for a long time and really only went dual core to appease the lingering doubts. What single core can you buy for newer faster machines, they are gone. The 939 San Diego 4000 is the fastest Single I own. It does well, but it is a 2.4 default, the 5000 Black AM2 is a X2 at 2.6 default. Single cores are just memories now. Your 6400 is fine for 99% of whats out there. __________________ It has to be Plugged In? To electricity? Video cards in house, 5770, 4650, HD 3870, X1950 XTX, X1900 XTX, X1900 XT and X1900 Crossfire, 2 X1800 XT's, X850 Pro, X800 Pro, AIW 9600XT, 9600 Pro, 9550 SE, 9200, 7000. XFX 6800 GS

Jul 10, 2008, 11:35 PM	#10
chris.bannister DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 1 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Response to question Hey guys. The AMD processor in question is a great proc, however with two 3870x2 cards, you will experience problems with bottlenecking at the processor level. Kinda funny I know, that you can bottleneck a freakin proc!!! Tells you how far along we have come in the past few years. Good news is you can pickup a AMD Phenom x4, or x3 for around 220 USD. (Really cool part, you may even be avble to do this without replacing the mobo, if you have the AM2 proc slot!)

Jul 13, 2008, 05:21 PM	#11
ChaosMinionX USB 3 dot oh Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 1,911 Rep Power: 47 System Specs	Since you already have an AM2 socket, might as well stick with AMD and go Phenom.... However... if you got the money to buy a new motherboard, and to buy a new processor I would 100% say go Intel right now. Best bet would be a Q6600 and a P35/P45 motherboard, but since you got 2 HD3870X2s get a X38/48 board. __________________ ::Heatware:: How you can help DriverHeaven by using Digg!