ATI's mix-n-match CrossFire X technology gets official, tested

Sure, SLI technology is fine and dandy, but ATI's hoping to remove some of the restrictions found on current multi-GPU setups with its forthcoming CrossFire X technology. As we've seen before, the idea here is to "take two, three or four GPUs and use their power to render one game faster than you otherwise would be able." Over at PC Perspective, those kind folks were able to pick AMD's brain on the topic, and aside from getting confirmation that CrossFire X "supports multi-GPU configurations of any combination of RV670- and R680-based products," we also found that a public release was just weeks away. Better still, there's a full report detailing the results of putting the technology to the test, and yes, initial impressions do seem quite positive. Hit the read link for the full spill, cool?

[Thanks, sizewise]

[Pismodude @ Feb 22nd 2008 8:17AM]

Ok, lets see how this plays out: Geez Engadget, why are you posting stuff about Windows? GOSH!!!

[Wii60 @ Feb 22nd 2008 8:46AM]

Wow, this is pretty cool, if I could multi-card two different kinds of nvidia cards, I'd get me one of those 9600GTs to go with my 8600.

Well done ATi, I wonder if nvidia will follow suit.

[Organic_Shadow @ Feb 22nd 2008 9:56AM]

SLI already allows mixing of different cards. It just doesn't let you mix different MULTICORE cards.

nVidia suggests making sure the ram amounts are the same on whatever cards you mix, but say it isn't a requirement.

[Tim Brown @ Feb 22nd 2008 9:01AM]

If they can get their CPU's sorted then they will have a serious gaming rig sorted, especially if they can get some nice and specific CrossFire X instructions into their CPU's.

[Matt B @ Feb 22nd 2008 9:13AM]

I never understood why you needed the exact same cards for SLI. You have to spend an extra $200-$300 for a second card that is only utilized 20%-50%. Ideally, I would pay for an 8800GT for rendering but only have to buy a 6600GT to do the shading as a second card.

[Andrew @ Feb 22nd 2008 9:27AM]

Presumably the major issue is the programming behind getting two discreet cards, running at different GPU speeds, etc... to draw a single image on a screen without massively overtaxing other areas of the system. I assume that the software is much, much simpler where identical cards are used.

[Gleidus @ Feb 22nd 2008 9:57AM]

Youuuul get caught up in the.....

[mattklump @ Feb 22nd 2008 3:09PM]

I refuse to accept any ATI news until they fix the AIW TV capture problem in Vista. The b@st@rd$!!

[Chris @ Feb 22nd 2008 4:02PM]

???