HD 4890 Crossfire Question

[killerxp100]

I currently have 1 4890 running in my system. I've been told that when running at high resolutions (2048x1152) a second card can greatly increase the FPS, and sense prices have come way down I'd thought I would pick up another card.

My question is my CPU going to bottleneck? Its an old processor now but it still runs like a champ & I haven't had the need to upgrade, I've just overclocked it. Is the crossfire going to run smoothly or should I be looking for an upgrade?

Specs:
Intel e6750 @3.66
Foxconn Blackops x48
Radeon HD 4890
WB 500 Gig
650W Antec PSU
Antec 900
AC Freezer 7 Pro

[zanzabar]

u should be fine with your current setup to add another 4890, just make sure that its a reference card so u can change the voltage. have u thought of getting a 5850 a good 4890 is about $190-200 and a good 5850 is $320 so unless u are getting a good deal on a 4890 it dosnt seam cost effective

[killerxp100]

I can get a used card for about $125. 2 4890's would be better than 1 5850 right?

[zanzabar]

I can get a used card for about $125. 2 4890's would be better than 1 5850 right?

it would be a little better but more power consumption and u would have to use AFR so the 5850 should be better IMO. $125 is a good deal

[Razrback16]

I can get a used card for about $125. 2 4890's would be better than 1 5850 right?

Yes. The 4870X2 actually outperforms the 5870 by a very slim margin in most benchmarks/games from what I have seen in reviews, and 4890 Crossfire will obviously be 5-15% faster than a 4870X2, so a 4890 Crossfire setup should do you well, but as Zanzabar said, it will consume more power and put out more heat. I'm happy with my setup tho.

[killerxp100]

Great, thanks for the input guys. I think I'm going to pick up another 4890 and get the most I can out of it for the time being.

I might even upgrade my cpu too with these low prices, was looking at the q9550 at around $250 but I noticed that the qx9650 was only in the $300 range on ebay.

[zanzabar]

i would not buy a core2 cpu, u can get an am3 quad setup for the same price and a hex amd and a MB for like $70 more than a core2quad

[texasreefer]

Yeah, the qx9650 is a lemon...if you notice the q9650 is more expensive.

[FlawleZ]

You should be alright with your OC'ed E6750. And 2 4890's will painfully slap around a 5870, let alone a 5850. In fact, a heavily overclocked 4890 (aka Toxic or Atomic 4890 speeds) is right on the heels of the 5850, sometimes even beating it.