Worth the Crossfire/Ram upgrade? (dxdiag included)

[kdjayo]

Hey everybody, long time surfer, first time poster.

I just recently forked out the cash to build a high end graphic design and gaming system and was wondering whether or not it would be worth it to upgrade my RAM from 4gb to 8gb, and whether or not crossfiring my video cards (1gb raedon 4890) would be worth it?

I couldnt copy and paste the whole dxdiag.txt file so here is what (i think) is the important stuff.

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 7/5/2009, 10:35:43
       Machine name: OWNER-PC
   Operating System: Windows Vistaâ„¢ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6001) Service Pack 1 (6001.vistasp1_gdr.090302-1506)
           Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
       System Model: System Product Name
               BIOS: BIOS Date: 03/26/09 14:02:27 Ver: 08.00.15
          Processor: AMD Phenom(tm) II X4 955 Processor (4 CPUs), ~3.2GHz
             Memory: 4094MB RAM
          Page File: 1588MB used, 6776MB available
        Windows Dir: C:\Windows
    DirectX Version: DirectX 10
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
     DxDiag Version: 6.00.6001.18000 64bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
      Display Tab 1: No problems found.
        Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
        Sound Tab 2: No problems found.
        Sound Tab 3: No problems found.
          Input Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D:    0/4 (retail)
DirectDraw:  0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (retail)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (retail)
DirectPlay:  0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow:  0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
        Card name: ATI Radeon HD 4800 Series   
     Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
        Chip type: ATI Radeon Graphics Processor (0x9460)
         DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
       Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_9460&SUBSYS_27001682&REV_00
   Display Memory: 2809 MB
 Dedicated Memory: 1018 MB
    Shared Memory: 1791 MB
     Current Mode: 1920 x 1080 (32 bit) (60Hz)
          Monitor: LG W2453(Digital)
      Driver Name: atiumdag,atidxx32,atidxx64.dll,atiumdva,atiumd64.dll,atiumd6a.cap,atitmm64.dll
   Driver Version: 8.14.0010.0671 (English)
      DDI Version: 10.1
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
 Driver Date/Size: 5/15/2009 20:08:33, 3064832 bytes
      WHQL Logo'd: n/a
  WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
Device Identifier: {D7B71EE2-D720-11CF-AD77-0A07A1C2C535}
        Vendor ID: 0x1002
        Device ID: 0x9460
        SubSys ID: 0x27001682
      Revision ID: 0x0000
      Revision ID: 0x0000
      Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_C 
 Deinterlace Caps: {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive 
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch 
                   {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY 
                   {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive 
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch 
                   {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY 
                   {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                   {3C5323C1-6FB7-44F5-9081-056BF2EE449D}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive 
                   {552C0DAD-CCBC-420B-83C8-74943CF9F1A6}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive 
                   {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive 
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch 
                   {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY 
                   {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC1,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                   {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC2,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                   {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC3,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                   {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC4,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                   {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(S340,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                   {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(S342,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
     DDraw Status: Enabled
       D3D Status: Enabled
       AGP Status: Enabled

-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
            Description: Speakers (Realtek High Definition Audio)
 Default Sound Playback: Yes
 Default Voice Playback: Yes
            Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0888&SUBSYS_10438357&REV_1001
        Manufacturer ID: 1
             Product ID: 100
                   Type: WDM
            Driver Name: RTKVHD64.sys
         Driver Version: 6.00.0001.5657 (English)
      Driver Attributes: Final Retail
            WHQL Logo'd: n/a
          Date and Size: 7/3/2008 02:03:48, 1477272 bytes
            Other Files: 
        Driver Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
         HW Accel Level: Basic
              Cap Flags: 0x0
    Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 0, 0
 Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
              HW Memory: 0
       Voice Management: No
 EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
   I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No

            Description: Realtek Digital Output(Optical) (Realtek High Definition Audio)
 Default Sound Playback: No
 Default Voice Playback: No
            Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0888&SUBSYS_10438357&REV_1001
        Manufacturer ID: 1
             Product ID: 100
                   Type: WDM
            Driver Name: RTKVHD64.sys
         Driver Version: 6.00.0001.5657 (English)
      Driver Attributes: Final Retail
            WHQL Logo'd: n/a
          Date and Size: 7/3/2008 02:03:48, 1477272 bytes
            Other Files: 
        Driver Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
         HW Accel Level: Basic
              Cap Flags: 0x0
    Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 0, 0
 Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
              HW Memory: 0
       Voice Management: No
 EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
   I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No

            Description: Realtek Digital Output (Realtek High Definition Audio)
 Default Sound Playback: No
 Default Voice Playback: No
            Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0888&SUBSYS_10438357&REV_1001
        Manufacturer ID: 1
             Product ID: 100
                   Type: WDM
            Driver Name: RTKVHD64.sys
         Driver Version: 6.00.0001.5657 (English)
      Driver Attributes: Final Retail
            WHQL Logo'd: n/a
          Date and Size: 7/3/2008 02:03:48, 1477272 bytes
            Other Files: 
        Driver Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
         HW Accel Level: Basic
              Cap Flags: 0x0
    Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 0, 0
 Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
              HW Memory: 0
       Voice Management: No
 EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
   I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No

---------------------
Sound Capture Devices
---------------------
            Description: Microphone (Realtek High Definition Audio)
  Default Sound Capture: Yes
  Default Voice Capture: Yes
            Driver Name: RTKVHD64.sys
         Driver Version: 6.00.0001.5657 (English)
      Driver Attributes: Final Retail
          Date and Size: 7/3/2008 02:03:48, 1477272 bytes
              Cap Flags: 0x0
           Format Flags: 0x0

-------------------
DirectInput Devices
-------------------
      Device Name: Mouse
         Attached: 1
    Controller ID: n/a
Vendor/Product ID: n/a
        FF Driver: n/a

      Device Name: Keyboard
         Attached: 1
    Controller ID: n/a
Vendor/Product ID: n/a
        FF Driver: n/a

Poll w/ Interrupt: No

-----------
USB Devices
-----------
+ USB Root Hub
| Vendor/Product ID: 0x1002, 0x4398
| Matching Device ID: usb\root_hub
| Service: usbhub
| Driver: usbhub.sys, 1/20/2008 19:47:01, 270336 bytes
| Driver: usbd.sys, 1/20/2008 19:47:25, 7680 bytes
| 
+-+ DeathAdder Mouse
| | Vendor/Product ID: 0x1532, 0x0007
| | Location: Port_#0002.Hub_#0002
| | Matching Device ID: usb\vid_1532&pid_0007
| | Lower Filters: DAdderFltr
| | Service: HidUsb
| | Driver: dadder.sys, 8/2/2007 17:33:04, 12672 bytes
| | Driver: hidusb.sys, 1/20/2008 19:46:55, 15872 bytes
| | Driver: hidclass.sys, 1/20/2008 19:46:55, 48640 bytes
| | Driver: hidparse.sys, 1/20/2008 19:46:55, 31616 bytes
| | 
| +-+ HID-compliant mouse
| | | Vendor/Product ID: 0x1532, 0x0007
| | | Matching Device ID: hid_device_system_mouse
| | | Service: mouhid
| | | Driver: mouhid.sys, 1/20/2008 19:46:59, 19968 bytes
| | | Driver: mouclass.sys, 1/20/2008 19:46:59, 39992 bytes

----------------
Gameport Devices
----------------

------------
PS/2 Devices
------------
+ Standard PS/2 Keyboard
| Matching Device ID: *pnp0303
| Service: i8042prt
| Driver: i8042prt.sys, 1/20/2008 19:47:27, 64000 bytes
| Driver: kbdclass.sys, 1/20/2008 19:47:27, 42040 bytes
| 
+ Terminal Server Keyboard Driver
| Matching Device ID: root\rdp_kbd
| Upper Filters: kbdclass
| Service: TermDD
| Driver: i8042prt.sys, 1/20/2008 19:47:27, 64000 bytes
| Driver: kbdclass.sys, 1/20/2008 19:47:27, 42040 bytes
| 
+ Terminal Server Mouse Driver
| Matching Device ID: root\rdp_mou
| Upper Filters: mouclass
| Service: TermDD
| Driver: termdd.sys, 1/20/2008 19:46:50, 63544 bytes
| Driver: sermouse.sys, 1/20/2008 19:46:59, 26624 bytes
| Driver: mouclass.sys, 1/20/2008 19:46:59, 39992 bytes

------------------------
Disk & DVD/CD-ROM Drives
------------------------
      Drive: C:
 Free Space: 27.8 GB
Total Space: 143.1 GB
File System: NTFS
      Model: WDC WD1500HLFS-01G6U0 ATA Device

      Drive: D:
      Model: PLEXTOR DVDR   PX-850SA ATA Device
     Driver: c:\windows\system32\drivers\cdrom.sys, 6.00.6001.18000 (English), 1/20/2008 19:46:54, 79872 bytes

 

[hikaricloud]

Wow, that's a lot of info. I don't think we would have needed all that, haha.

First off, 4gb of RAM is plenty unless you use multiple VMs.

Secondly, how is the performance from your single 4890? Are you getting satsifactory results in your games and such?

Thirdly, what PSU do you have?

 

[kdjayo]

Wow, that's a lot of info. I don't think we would have needed all that, haha.

First off, 4gb of RAM is plenty unless you use multiple VMs.

Secondly, how is the performance from your single 4890? Are you getting satsifactory results in your games and such?

Thirdly, what PSU do you have?

What is VM? and the 4890 lets me play all the games i have tried at max graphics, WoW,COD 5, Far Cry 2, Crysis...everything is fine at max graphics but i was wondering if anything with...i dunno better graphics was coming out and i should worry about getting another card, one thing i cant have enabled in Left 4 Dead is VSync, It just makes the game extremely jerky and I dont see any difference, besides...jerkyness, dunno what Vsync even does really...

And the power supply is ummm i dunno what brand or company if it makes a diff i can find the box, but its 1000w

 

[Hefemeister]

VM are virtual machines. Virtual machine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

If you 4890 plays all the games you own at max then there is no need at the present time to spend the money to go xfire.

In a year or two when newer games come out that require more gpu power you can go xfire and the cards will be much cheaper.

 

[kdjayo]

VM are virtual machines. Virtual machine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

If you 4890 plays all the games you own at max then there is no need at the present time to spend the money to go xfire.

In a year or two when newer games come out that require more gpu power you can go xfire and the cards will be much cheaper.

What about upgrading to 8gb of ram rather than 4...will it make a big difference? that way each core from my quad-core will have 2gb, is that how it works? lol sorry if i sound noobish.

 

[hikaricloud]

You won't need 8gb, since you don't run virtual machines. And your cores to utilize certain amounts of RAM or anything, it doesn't quite work like that.

If you're looking for money to burn, you could always get a bigger monitor, or something.

 

[Hefemeister]

As Hikaricloud mentioned more than 4gb is not really necessary unless your are running a lot of VM's or very RAM intensive programs.

Just open up your task manager and see what your physical memory usage is.

I have 6gb of RAM. When I am running a ton of programs including Photoshop CS4 i rarely use over 3gb of my ram.

 

[kdjayo]

As Hikaricloud mentioned more than 4gb is not really necessary unless your are running a lot of VM's or very RAM intensive programs.

Just open up your task manager and see what your physical memory usage is.

I have 6gb of RAM. When I am running a ton of programs including Photoshop CS4 i rarely use over 3gb of my ram.

Heh, I am not looking for money to burn, just burned alot on this new monitor already xD just wanted to see if i could use an extra upgrade or not, thank you so much for the info guys!