Is Dual Graphics Worth it?

[trevorcory]

Hi, I was recently given an older PC to use as it can run a lot of the games I play even if they have to be on a lower setting.

The Spec is AMD A6 3650 APU with the integrated Radeon 6530d.
8GB Ram
500W generic PSU

Most games run ok, even DayZ SA runs at 27-30fps on low settings, which I can deal with. But I would like to see if I can push the power slightly for a low price.

I was considering at looking at the dual graphics option but hear conflicting reports such as it actually makes it slower!. But at the same time hear that if configured correctly gives you up to 40% increase.

So my question is, is dual graphics worth it? if it is what card do you recommend?

If it isn't are there any cheap cards that will get me by until I build my proper rig?

 

[swifty_morgan]

sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't. depends on the game. how much do you have to invest?

this card should work.................. .AMD Radeon HD 6570 discrete graphics card. a better single card would be better.

 

[azathoth]

Crossfire (AMD's name for Dual Video cards) will work with a card such as the HD 6570. There will be a decent improvement of like you said 40% or so. (Conservative estimate)

It wouldn't be a bad idea to pop in and Crossfire one of these http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150613 for a little bit of extra power for now.

 

[photonboy]

Some confusion here...

CROSSFIRE is not the same thing as Dual Graphics.

Dual Graphics: APU + dedicated graphics card

Crossfire: 2x (or higher) graphics cards.

*Dual Graphics has apparently improved but I don't have a lot of info on that:
http://www.pcper.com/reviews/Graphics-Cards/AMD-A8-7600-Kaveri-APU-and-R7-250-Dual-Graphics-Testing-Pacing-Fixed

**My concerns are here:
"The ability to frame pace multi-GPU graphics has finally arrived to Dual Graphics with the Catalyst 13.35 beta and the results are pretty good. Of the five games we tested, four of them saw significant improvements in playability and experience with the new driver that did not exist before. The only game that didn't see improvement was Skyrim, a game that is still using a DX9 rendering engine. AMD has clearly told us that only DX10/11 games are enabled for Frame Pacing right now, and in all honestly I don't think we'll see DX9 implemented at all. The game development world has moved on, and unfortunately I don't think AMD sees the value of spending time on that right now. "

A LOT of people still get DX9 games from Steam on sale especially for systems that aren't high-end. There are LOTS of great DX9 games and if they all have issues that sucks..

(The article is a few months old but I could find no evidence that DX9 support has been fixed.)

 

[CrispyChips]

While there was confusion,now that its cleared up theres another matter to attend if you do go for Dual Graphics.

The A6 APU's are only Dual Graphic compatible with AMD 6570's

 

[swifty_morgan]

didn't anybody read anything I said above.