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Resolved Question

Get another graphics card to have a dual GPU or?

Dec 27, 2011 1:15AM PST

After playing some of the most recent games, such as Battlefield 3, I believe it's time to update my graphics card yet again. As of right now, I have an Asus NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 1 GB. I got this card a year ago, and so far I haven't had any problems. I'm thinking of getting another GTX 460, just so it'll be able to handle the most recent games with ease. However, I have a very small case, the Antec Sonata II. I barley got the 460 in it, and trying to fit another graphics card wouldn't be realistic.

I'm trying to see which would cost more money, to either get another 460 and a bigger tower, or just buy another graphics card that surpasses the 460. I got this gear over a year ago, do you guys think it's worth it to upgrade yet again? Any feedback would be great, thanks.

Discussion is locked

ZeroPressence has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer

Best Answer

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Specs
Dec 27, 2011 1:17AM PST

Woops I forgot to include my specs. Here they are:

Monitor: LG Flatron E2350V 23"
Processor: AMD Phenom II X4 965 Processor 3.4 GHz
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws DDR3 4096MB RAM
Hard Drive: Hitachi 1 TB
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 1 GB
Motherboard: Gigabyte 870A-UD3
Sound Card: Realtek High Definition Audio (On board sound)
Operating System: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
Speakers: Logitech G51 5.1

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Answer
What PSU do you have and will DUAL 460s give you that
Dec 27, 2011 2:04AM PST

much more 'GPU bang' for the buck. Is the PCIe slot you'll be putting the additional card in 16X, 8X or 4X ?

Unless you installed a hefty PSU in to begin with....you'll probably need a more robust PSU to go along with that additional GPU.

VAPCMD

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Answer
The list I like is at this link.
Dec 27, 2011 2:16AM PST
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Answer
Gaming
Dec 27, 2011 6:03AM PST

If your serious about gaming get a mid tower or better yet a full tower case.
That will space things out.....provide room to work...... and help with the cooling.
There not that expensive.......unless BLING is a must have item.

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Accidentally said the question was resolved...
Dec 27, 2011 7:21AM PST

I accidentally said that the question was resolved... woops. Is there a way that could be undone? Silly

Anyways, I have a 750W PSU that I got a year ago as well, so I think I'm set for that. VAPCMD, to be honest, I don't know. I'm guess the 8x, since the 460 is in 16x. What did you mean though by "more GPU bang for the buck"? Happy

I looked at the list Proffitt, and I think the Radeon HD 6790 looks good, though would I be able to use both cards together even though they're two different brands?

If I get another card, for example, another 460, I'd have to also get a mid tower or a full case, as you said Bob. But would it cost less than just getting a whole new high end card for around $300?

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To get the speed benefit of dual video cards....you usually
Dec 27, 2011 9:27AM PST

need matching cards....exact same make and model.....either SLi or Crossfire....whichever your system supports. I see no mention of either feature for your MB.

http://www.gigabyte.us/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3423#sp

Your system specs says.....
1 x PCI Express x16 slot, running at x16 (PCIEX16)
1 x PCI Express x16 slot, running at x4 (PCIEX4) (Note 3)
2 x PCI Express x1 slots (The PCIEX1_1 and PCIEX1_2 slots share bandwidth with the PCIEX4 slot.) (Note 3)
(All PCI Express slots conform to the PCI Express 2.0 standard.)
3 x PCI slots

Bottomline, not sure adding a second card in your system will give you desired result.

Re the 750W PSU.....it really depends on which one it is.....all 750W PSUs are NOT equal.

Let us know how it turns out.

VAPCMD

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So
Dec 30, 2011 6:12AM PST

I apologies this is as late as it is. So in order to add another GPU, I'd have to also buy another motherboard? Since it only allows for one card? When I first upgraded, I believed that I wouldn't have to upgrade or let alone, add another GPU to the set up. Haha I was clearly wrong. So really the first option to have a dual GPU set up isn't going to work? Should I consider instead then to buy a higher end card?

Concerning the PSU, I have a Corsair 750W HX (Professional Series). And according to the box, it is SLI ready,

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Adding a second video card
Dec 30, 2011 12:13PM PST

Q: So in order to add another GPU, I'd have to also buy
another motherboard? Since it only allows for one card?


A: The existing mother has an available PCIe 16X
slot however adding a matching 460 GPU in the available
slot would not result in accelerated video. So yes you COULD add another card but it would ultimately be for naught.

Q: When I first upgraded, I believed that I wouldn't have to
upgrade or let alone, add another GPU to the set up. Haha I was clearly wrong.


A: Yes...

sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

Q: So really the first option to have a dual GPU set up isn't
going to work?


A: Work...yes it would work but again ..... it would not provide accelerated video.


Q: Should I consider instead then to buy a higher end card?


A: Short answer ...YES.

See suggestions below.


Concerning the PSU, I have a Corsair 750W HX (Professional
Series). And according to the box, it is SLI ready,

Good....that should cover you.


http://www.hwcompare.com/7987/geforce-gtx-460-oem-vs-radeon-hd-6870/




From here it looks like you have two choices....



A single high horsepower GPU for use with your existing
system that could be carried forward to a newer system..... or




A new system....mainly a motherboard with compatible CPU and RAM with support for multiple GPUs, now or later, under
AMD's Crossfire. Putting two GPUs in a system does NOT automatically mean you get
the video acceleration/multiplier effect of two GPUs ....it just means you have two GPUs. You need a system that supports Intel's "Sli" and/or AMD's "Crossfire"
to get the video acceleration/multiplier effect of two or more GPUs.

Here's another reference site for GPU evaluation/comparison.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/fastest-graphics-card-radeon-geforce,3085.html

Let us know how it turns out.

VAPCMD