Will crossfiring an HD 8670D (A10-6800k apu) with HD 6670 increase performance?

[FalconXFury]

Hello, i've had my PC since Christmas, and it has served me well but i'd like to be able to play games at a higher framerate and/or at higher specs.

My PC Specs:
- A10-6800k APU with integrated graphics (HD 8670D) Quad core processor @ 4.1GHz
- 8gb of 1600mhz DDR3 RAM
- 1TB HDD @ 5400rpm (I believe)
- Asus A55BM-A motherboard

I can't think of anything else at the moment that i'd need to list above.

If I was to crossfire a Radeon HD 6670 with my current APU, would I get an increase in framerate/would I be able to increase graphics quality in games without my fps dropping too low?

I've looked into this a bit, but i've seen on multiple occasions people saying that the 6670 would only run as well as the 8670D.

I've decided to use the 6670 because apparently that is the best/one of the only GPU's able to crossfire with the 8670D.

I also thought about upgrading to 8gb of 2133mhz RAM, so that the iGPU using the computers RAM would run faster.

I would like your thoughts and help on this, i'm absolutely clueless!

Thanks, Liam.

Edit: I also thought about getting different cpu and gpu altogether but that would mean I would have to get a new motherboard (I think). I'm not exactly sure if the motherboard I have (A55BM-A) can have alternate dedicated GPUs. I haven't built a pc, nor have I really researched my motherboard, because I found it hard to find info on adding extra GPUs to it.

 

[bigpinkdragon286]

In games that support CrossFire well, you will see a performance boost, but unless you're going to get the 6670 for a very good deal, I would sooner put the money toward a 7750 or 7770. Both would be faster overall and have less in-game issues.

 

[FalconXFury]

In games that support CrossFire well, you will see a performance boost, but unless you're going to get the 6870 for a very good deal, I would sooner put the money toward a 7750 or 7770. Both would be faster overall and have less in-game issues.

Thanks for answering.

But would they be able to crossfire with my specific apu?

 

[FalconXFury]

Also, could someone please enlighten me on my A55BM-A motherboard? Is it only compatible with APUs and certain GPUs (the ones that can crossfire)?

 

[Cristi72]

Hello,

Please check this:

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/answers/id-1858863/amd-a10-6800k-gpu-match.html

So, the most powerful graphics card you can use for CF with your APU is HD6670, and that's because the better ones are more powerful anyway than APU + 6670 combination.

If you have the budget, forget the Crossfire and go with either R7-260X or GTX750Ti. By the way, your motherboard is compatible with any PCIeX graphics card, the limitation appears only when using Crossfire with the APU (which works only for AMD cards lower than HD6670).

 

[FalconXFury]

Hello,

Please check this:

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/answers/id-1858863/amd-a10-6800k-gpu-match.html

So, the most powerful graphics card you can use for CF with your APU is HD6670, and that's because the better ones are more powerful anyway than APU + 6670 combination.

If you have the budget, forget the Crossfire and go with either R7-260X or GTX750Ti. By the way, your motherboard is compatible with any PCIeX graphics card, the limitation appears only when using Crossfire with the APU (which works only for AMD cards lower than HD6670).

Ahh, i've been wondering about that! So would I need a new cpu or do I have the option to disable the use of the 8670d? (maybe through BIOS or something) In other words, is my current cpu compatible with PCIeX graphics cards?

Thanks for the answer!

 

[Cristi72]

Ahh, i've been wondering about that! So would I need a new cpu or do I have the option to disable the use of the 8670d? (maybe through BIOS or something) In other words, is my current cpu compatible with PCIeX graphics cards?

Thanks for the answer!

I don't think you don't need a new CPU right now. For much better graphics performance, you can go with a good GPU (260X or 750Ti); for better performance overall, you must change the entire platform anyway, as your CPU is about the maximum for the FM2 platform. You can overclock your CPU, but this implies a new CPU cooler and more likely a new PSU also, and that will give you max. 10% more performance on the CPU side. By the way, what PSU do you have right now?

Please check your motherboard's manual, in BIOS you should have the option to change the graphics startup order from ONBOARD to PCIeX (Advanced tab from BIOS).

 

[FalconXFury]

Thanks ! u read on my motherboard's cardboard box that it can also have Athlon processors. Are these a bit more powerful maybe? I'm picking you as solution.

 

[Cristi72]

Thanks ! u read on my motherboard's cardboard box that it can also have Athlon processors. Are these a bit more powerful maybe? I'm picking you as solution.

They are a little bit better clock-for-clock, but the fastest one is 3.8GHz, while yours has already 4.1GHz and can go to 4.4 GHz turbo. Their advantage is the oveclocking potential, as such CPU's can go to 5 GHz with a good cooler (but for such speeds you will need another motherboard also, in addition with a new cooler and a new PSU).

 

[FalconXFury]

I don't exactly want to oc, just hoping that my curren cpu can handle the gpu without bottlenecking (if thats in the right context) or without stuttering, if that also occurs.

 

[Cristi72]

I don't exactly want to oc, just hoping that my curren cpu can handle the gpu without bottlenecking (if thats in the right context) or without stuttering, if that also occurs.

You will have a well balanced system pairing that APU with R7-260 / R7-260X / GTX-750 / GTX-750Ti (or older HD7770, GTX 650Ti). Also, you could keep your PSU if it is of a decent quality.

A CPU bottleneck will occur only if you go higher on the GPU side (from R7-270 / 270X, GTX 660 / GTX760 upwards).

If you are using higher resolutions than 1080p though, then you'll be better served by at least a R7-270X / GTX760.

Please check this:

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/charts/2014-vga-charts/benchmarks,175.html

It will give you an idea how a given graphics card will perform in various games. Of course, you will need to dial down the graphics settings in order to achieve at least 30 FPS (the tests were made with the best graphics settings and using a beast of a system).

 

[FalconXFury]

Thanks for all your help, i think i'll go for the r7 260x, and stick with my current cpu (you've helped me make these decisions and i'm very grateful.)

I vouch for you, your answers are very detailed and you go out of your way to find links and pages which help alot.

Thanks again!

Liam

 

[Cristi72]

Thanks for all your help, i think i'll go for the r7 260x, and stick with my current cpu (you've helped me make these decisions and i'm very grateful.)

I vouch for you, your answers are very detailed and you go out of your way to find links and pages which help alot.

Thanks again!

Liam

You're welcome, have fun!