Performance Summary
Disregarding the inconsistent 3DMark results, let’s see how each configuration compares in average gaming capability. We begin once again with the lowest test resolution.
The P55’s native PCIe controller is already in trouble from a triple-GPU perspective, averaging a mere 2.6 FPS higher than the same motherboard with two graphics processors. Amazingly, both NF200-enhanced P55 motherboards are nearly as good with CrossFireX as the purpose-designed X58.
Triple CrossFireX continues to look like a bad idea for standard P55 motherboards through the 1920x1200 resolution, but the NF200-enhanced versions still look like a safe bet compared to X58.
A shift from bandwidth limitations to GPU power limits begins to occur at 2560x1600, but the NF200 is still required to make LGA 1156-based platforms approach X58 performance in a CrossFireX configuration.
NF200-enhanced P55 platforms stay within 3% of X58 performance levels all the way up through our highest test settings.
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looks like we need new Crysis... getting over 100fps in games these days seems way too easy...
What effect does increasing the PCI-E clock from 100mhz to 200mhz on the P55 platform have? Would doubling the clock rate make up for the half bandwidth 1.1 interface over a 2.o interface?
What effect does increasing the PCI-E clock from 100mhz to 200mhz on the P55 platform have? Would doubling the clock rate make up for the half bandwidth 1.1 interface over a 2.o interface?
More likely it'd throw the graphics cards completely and not boot. you'll struggle beyond 120MHz, and even then the gains would be minimal.
Although an interesting read, I'm really not sure why motherboard manufacturers are investing so much time in "fixing" the P55's lack of PCI-E lanes.
Right now, the only thing that requires all these lanes is multiple GPU setups, and if you're a gamer who demands that level of GPU power then you obviously have the cash to burn and go top-end with X58 anyway.
It just seems to me that mobo companies are trying to fix a problem for a market that doesn't exist.
Work in progress, release then try fix is the new way for all devices and games alike. Good read was more interested in the small gains by adding a 3rd card, hopefully if, when they get 16,16,16 or 32/32/32 oh ye what a dream, will be better results, but for now it shows how limited the boards are at present.
Then again we have always been paying usualy double for those very small gains in the past.