To play your favorite video game at better, higher settings, you will need to purchase a dual graphics card.
As you may know, both Nvidia and AMD support setups with multiple graphics cards, as using two can enhance performance. The best option for an improved gaming experience is the EVGA GeForce GTX 1650.
How will dual graphics cards enhance gaming PCs? Additionally, are there any disadvantages of multi-GPU setups that you should consider?
This article contains all the answers you need, along with several recommendations for various graphics cards, in case you haven’t yet decided which one to purchase.
Table of Contents
How Does Multi GPU Work?
Let’s begin with the fundamentals – how do dual GPU cards function?
Well, Nvidia and AMD are two technologies that enable two separate cards to function as one. The workload is distributed between these two cards, allowing the system or gaming PC to receive double the computing power.
In this manner, dual graphics cards will facilitate scene rendering. One GPU will render a scene while the other processes the next one, thereby enhancing the overall efficiency of the system.
Your PC will easily manage demanding conditions, resulting in enhanced performance.
Requirements for Multi GPU
If you want to implement dual graphics cards, you must first verify whether the rest of your gaming setup can support it.
To begin with, you will need to use either Nvidia or AMD.
Nvidia’s graphics solution is called SLI, while AMD’s is known as Crossfire.
Features of both must be enabled in the GPU driver control panel.
Additionally, SLI or Crossfire must be compatible with the streaming motherboard and the PCI Express graphics slot. You can verify this compatibility on the motherboard’s packaging (if you still have it) by looking for the symbol representing one of these two technologies.
This compatibility is detailed in the motherboard’s specifications, so all you need to do is locate the model you own in any online tech store.
The second requirement is the desktop case. If it is not large enough to accommodate the additional hardware you plan to add, you can forget about enhancing gaming performance in this manner.
The desktop case should support an additional GPU card and accommodate an extra power supply.
Lastly, a bridge connector is necessary. It links the two graphics cards and connects them to the motherboard. Often, this component is already integrated with either the GPU or the motherboard.
Running Two Graphics Cards Without SLI or Crossfire
Yes, it is possible to run dual GPUs without SLI, but only if you have two monitors.
In this scenario, the workload is evenly distributed between two GPUs, resulting in enhanced performance for PC games.
Rendering will occur on one monitor or graphics card, while the other will manage video games or any other tasks.
The first thing you should verify before adding an extra GPU is whether the CPU can manage the additional workload.
Who Should Get a Dual GPU?
So, do you truly need a dual GPU, or will your video game run perfectly well without one?
If you are an average gamer, the games you play will perform well even without dual graphics cards. While they could enhance the system’s efficiency, the setup is somewhat demanding and requires more power, making it a waste of your time.
Rather than purchasing a dual graphics card, opt for a high-quality single GPU. This approach will lower costs, prevent overloading the PC hardware, and ultimately make more sense. Today, most single graphics cards do not support SLI or Crossfire setups.
Professional gamers and streamers could gain advantages from using dual graphics cards. An extra graphics card will enhance 3D output and improve rendering for various streaming platforms.
During the broadcast, you won’t need to worry about dropping frames, even when streaming at high frame rates. One graphics card will handle the rendering, while another will run the games.
Multimedia experts can also benefit from utilizing dual graphics cards. Regarding Adobe Suite, it has already incorporated SLI support, so if you are using Lightroom or Premiere, they will operate smoothly with Nvidia technology.
Pros and Cons of Multiple Graphics Cards
Now, let’s explore some pros and cons. Are there more advantages or disadvantages to using dual graphics cards?
Here are some benefits of implementing an additional graphics card:
- Boosted gaming experience – Instead of one card rendering the video, there will be two of them splitting the work. This means that you can increase bandwidth, frame rates, and resolution, which will all add to both graphics quality, as well a better gaming experience;
- Improved resolution – Resolution can be significantly boosted. As you may already know, single GPUs, even the best ones, offer a resolution of 1080p. For certain games, this is more than enough. However, new technology enables a 4k display with a resolution increased four times;
- Upgrades – As stated, adding an extra GPU requires compatible hardware (motherboard, power supply, and large case). Upgrading is later easier – you can expect a new update in around two years, but your systems won’t require these updates as soon.
- Use of multiple monitors – If you choose to add another graphics card, you can also add another monitor. While the game is running on one card, the other will handle rendering, which increases performance.
As you can see, the benefits are numerous, but I must also mention the disadvantages:
- Performance – In most cases, dual graphics cards should increase the performance of the PC. Unfortunately, it won’t always be the case. Its efficiency strongly depends on the PC itself. Many home PCs have cut-price processors, so less data is delivered to the graphics card by PC is not sufficient;
- Compatibility – Another thing that has to be mentioned is the compatibility issues that often occur. As said, for dual graphics GPU to run, you need to have a compatible motherboard, graphics slots, as well a bridge connector. Graphics card setup consists of many parts, and if the game doesn’t support it, the performance will be worse, as the game will be choppy;
- Power consumption – An additional GPU will require an additional power supply. The power needed to run two graphics cards is often doubled, and you need to check whether your PC can stand that power supply and high wattage.
- Overall expenses – In the end, we need to talk about the cost. Dual graphics cards are expensive, plus you have to take into account the money spent on GPU setup. Now add the power cost to that amount. As you can see, in the end, it may not be the best solution, especially if the games you are playing are not supported by Nvidia SLI or AMD Crossfire.
So, is it worthwhile?
It depends on what you intend to do with the dual graphics card.
For a professional gamer, this would be the ideal solution, as it would enhance performance and provide the audience with high frame rates and resolution.
However, for an amateur, purchasing an additional GPU is not necessary. Your game will run perfectly on a high-end single GPU.
If you’re uncertain about which dual GPU to choose, take a look at the products in the list below.
1. EVGA GeForce GTX 1650
Best Overall
Stefan’s Take:
This graphic card performed beyond my expectations. While I couldn’t run some of my games on max settings, I could still play most of them on high settings, which is good enough for me.
It has an incredible memory bandwidth, a built-in cooling fan, and RAM size. But what truly amazed me the most was the turning technology.
My gaming experience was smooth, fast, and immersive thanks to improved Turing architecture. The quality of the image was outstanding, and I didn’t have to deal with dropped frames.
| Memory | 9 |
|---|---|
| Cooling | 10 |
| Clock speed | 10 |
| Power | 10 |
Nvidia is renowned for producing the fastest graphics cards, so the first item on the list is the EVGA GeForce GTX 1650 Super SC Ultra Gaming.
The price may pose a challenge for some, as these types of GPUs are on the higher end. However, considering the benefits that SLI provides, it will be worthwhile in the long run.
This model greatly enhances the performance of the entire system and can address common issues such as frame drops during live streaming, as well as improve the graphics of games.
Let’s examine the specifications!
Key Features
The GTX 1650 Super features a superior cooling system compared to similar models, along with 4GB of RAM, which can enhance efficiency by up to 50%.
If you have owned one of their previous series, such as the GTX 1060 or the 10 series, you will notice a significant difference once you switch to this one.
The key feature that sets this GPU apart from other graphics cards is its turning technology. As processing power increases, rendering and gaming performance become smoother.
Essentially, issues like a game’s choppy appearance, dropped frames, and lag are avoided.
Additionally, an HDB fan is included with the GPU.
As mentioned, the issue of power consumption is common with dual GPUs, and an overheated system will not operate efficiently.
The built-in HDB fan enhances airflow and cooling. Due to the fan’s E pattern, noise is reduced by 20%, ensuring that your streams remain unaffected by sounds generated when the systems are operating.
Regarding power consumption, you can expect the card to use approximately 100 Watts. In some instances, this usage may be lower, around 75 Watts, but 100 Watts is preferred and recommended by the manufacturer.
As you can see, compared to others, both SLI and Crossfire have lower power consumption.
The final point I would like to discuss is memory bandwidth. The GTX 1650 Super boasts a bandwidth of 192 GB/s, enabling it to deliver superior performance compared to other cards, even when playing demanding games.
Pros
- High settings
- 20% noise reduction with HDB fan
- Memory bit width: 128 bit
Cons
- You could have compatibility issues
2. XFX Radeon RX 580 GTS XXX Edition
Graphics Card with the Optimal RAM Size
Stefan’s Take:
I have tested numerous games on XFX Radeon RX 580 GTS, on 1080p and 720p, and different FPS, and in all cases, the games ran smoothly, the image quality was great, and I didn’t notice any dropped frames.
One feature that I particularly appreciated was the low noise. It’s significantly quieter than any high-powered fan while preventing overheating.
| Memory | 10 |
|---|---|
| Cooling | 9 |
| Clock speed | 10 |
| Power | 9 |
If you are still having difficulty deciding between SLI and Crossfire, after introducing one of the SLI cards, I would like to discuss the XFX Radeon RX 580 GTS XXX Edition 1386MHz OC+ to highlight the advantages of AMD.
Undoubtedly, these are two of the largest manufacturers in the tech industry. When it comes to GPUs, you cannot go wrong with either choice.
Of course, people often have a preference for one over the other, so now let’s explore what makes Crossfire so exceptional.
Key Features
One aspect that makes this card superior to the one I reviewed earlier is the RAM size.
8 GB is sufficient to handle any video game, run a stream, and stream software simultaneously.
Once you ensure good internet speed and adjust the settings, everything will run smoothly. You shouldn’t be concerned about dropped frames or any lags.
With such impressive RAM, the card will also perform excellently for any media expert who needs to run multiple programs simultaneously.
Additionally, its efficiency is enhanced by True Clock.
Overclocking is managed by the BIOS to ensure that the card operates at an optimal level at all times.
The manufacturer encourages all buyers to test the factory-tested speeds to discover the card’s capabilities and limitations.
Energy usage will remain substantial (likely around 500 Watts), so verify in advance whether you can meet this requirement.
Regarding cooling, AMD has introduced new technology that includes VRM and Memory cooling, allowing the system temperature to be reduced by 20 degrees, while the noise level decreases by approximately 5%, maintaining a quiet working environment.
Pros
- Great noise reduction
- 8 GB of RAM
- Superior True Clock technology for increased efficiency
Cons
- Requires 500 Watts to run
3. ASUS GeForce RTX 2070
Ideal for Gamers
Stefan’s Take:
This graphic card is simply a beast and engineered at another level. RTX 2070 can overclock to more than 2100 MHz and performs incredibly well at 1080p, so you can run almost any game you want. Also, it supports 4K gaming and up to 4 monitors, which is ideal for competitive gamers.
What I particularly liked were the Axial-tech fans that ensured good airflow and prevented overheating without making much noise.
| Memory | 9 |
|---|---|
| Cooling | 9 |
| Clock speed | 10 |
| Power | 9 |
Many people are exploring various video cards to enable the use of multiple monitors, and this ASUS GeForce RTX 2070 allows you to connect up to four.
So far, I have discussed SLI and Crossfire, along with the benefits of each. This card also supports SLI, so if that is your preference, ASUS is always a reliable choice.
In the technology sector, ASUS is a well-known brand, particularly among gamers.
Let’s review the requirements you need to meet for this GPU.
Key Features
I have mentioned two video cards, each with 8 GB of RAM. This is an impressive capacity. Previously, I discussed AMD, so now I will focus on the one that supports SL. In the end, you can compare the two and choose the one that best suits your needs.
This model features a 2.7-Slot design that enhances cooling. Two fans will provide sufficient airflow while increasing efficiency.
Given the power of this GPU, you might expect a large hub. However, ASUS has integrated Axial-tech fans, allowing them to maintain a smaller hub size, which ensures compatibility and accommodates larger blades without issue.
The downward air pressure is precisely regulated by the barrier ring—it is elevated to the required level, and the product’s lifespan is extended by IPS5X.
Another way to increase longevity is by selecting the right materials: alloy chokes and capacitors made from polymers.
Furthermore, graphics engines enhance your gaming experience.
This is one of the best graphics cards for gamers, as it offers a variety of features, including ray tracing, sampler feedback, mesh shaders, and VRS.
If you enjoy 4K gaming, then this is the best option among all products.
Pros
- Supports 4K gaming
- Dust-resistance and premium choice of materials for longer life span
- Superior capacity
Cons
- The most expensive on the list
Conclusion
It is difficult to determine whether dual graphics cards are worthwhile.
As mentioned, this largely depends on your needs and what you aim to achieve.
If you choose to get one, ensure you have sufficient energy to power the card and enough funds in the bank to cover the increased electricity bills.
If you are still having difficulty deciding, take another look at my top three picks:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the point of dual GPUs?
The whole point of getting a dual graphics card is to increase efficiency. Instead of a single card handling all of the work, it will be split between the two. For example, during the live stream, games will run on one, while the other will handle the rendering. The same rule goes for any work done on the computer. That is why they are useful even for media experts that have to use multiple high-demanding programs simultaneously on their computer – one line is being rendered on one card and one on another.
Are dual GPUs worth it?
Yes and no – it depends on what you are doing on your computer. If you are an average gamer, it will most likely be a waste of money. Before purchasing one of the dual GPUs, take into account the cost. Firstly, you will have to spend a few hundred dollars on the GPU itself. Then you have additional costs of setup and energy usage. In this case, it would make more sense just to purchase a single, high-end GPU. For professional streamers, multi-GPU is a good choice.
Are dual-fan graphics cards better?
Yes. More airflow is always a better option, especially if the heatsink is similar. Keep in mind that this could also mean more noise. Even though many multi-GPUs have some type of noise reduction, the level will still be higher compared to the single fan.
