Gaming CPU Shoot-Out Redux: Multi-GPU Scaling - DiRT: Showdown

DiRT: Showdown

DiRT Showdown was tested at the Ultra setting pre-set, with 4X MSAA enabled. The test was run three separate times, with the testing done on the third pass. FRAPS was manually started with the benchmark fly-by of the track. It was subsequently stopped right before the car crossed the finish line, prior to the slow motion scene of the finish.

Please note that the DiRT Showdown test is not a canned demo like Metro Last Light or Unigine Valley. It is a sample race in a figure-eight style track. The cars jockey for position with the driver AI, and each run is inherently different.

Small variances between runs should be discounted, due to this variation between the actual tests. I did toss out any test run that had any crashes or a stuck car.

1080p Widescreen

	DiRT: Showdown - 1080p HD												DiRT: Showdown - 1080p HD CrossFire
	R7 260X			R9 270X			R9 280X			R9 290			R7 260X CFX			R9 270X CFX			R9 280X CFX
	Min	Avg	Max	Min	Avg	Max	Min	Avg	Max	Min	Avg	Max	Min	Avg	Max	Min	Avg	Max	Min	Avg	Max
AMD FX-9590	39	46.1	60	53	63.2	80	64	76.8	96	72	85.4	111	71	81.9	112	71	84.8	124	71	84.2	125
AMD FX-9370	38	45.6	60	51	61.0	80	63	77.2	97	71	82.2	113	63	79.0	106	67	81.8	121	70	82.1	113
AMD FX-8350	35	42.7	59	47	56.4	79	61	73.6	99	69	79.9	113	64	75.7	105	59	78.5	117	59	78.5	121
AMD FX-6350	36	43.4	59	47	56.4	79	61	73.6	99	69	79.9	113	59	70.7	102	60	72.5	105	59	72.6	109
AMD FX-4350	34	42.7	59	44	57.1	77	55	63.4	96	55	67.1	102	48	60.8	92	48	60.6	92	48	61.3	97

Again, as with the previous article, there is a bit of performance impact on the upper GPUs. We see improvements in averages and minimums across the CPUs, when paired with the R9 280X and especially the R9 290. These are the only instances where a better CPU makes any difference. With the FX-6350, the minimums break the 60fps barrier.

With a CrossFire configuration, there are noticeable increases with each CPU. The FX-4350 continues to be a performance inhibitor. In many instances both the averages and the minimums are above fps. DiRT: Showdown has never been a demanding game, and many of the configurations would benefit from a 120Hz monitor.

1080p Eyefinity

	DiRT: Showdown - Eyefinity												DiRT: Showdown - Eyefinity CrossFire
	R7 260X			R9 270X			R9 280X			R9 290			R7 260X CFX			R9 270X CFX			R9 280X CFX
	Min	Avg	Max	Min	Avg	Max	Min	Avg	Max	Min	Avg	Max	Min	Avg	Max	Min	Avg	Max	Min	Avg	Max
AMD FX-9590	17	20.4	29	25	29.5	41	34	39.9	53	39	45.3	61	32	38.3	53	46	52.9	72	62	71.4	94
AMD FX-9370	17	20.5	29	26	29.6	41	35	40.3	53	39	44.9	61	32	38.2	54	44	52.3	73	60	70.5	94
AMD FX-8350	16	20.0	28	22	27.4	39	32	39.3	54	39	45.7	62	31	37.4	51	46	53.2	74	60	69.7	94
AMD FX-6350	15	19.9	28	23	27.2	39	30	39.0	54	39	45.3	62	30	37.3	51	45	52.4	74	56	65.9	91
AMD FX-4350	16	19.9	29	22	27.5	39	31	38.7	54	38	45.2	62	17	20.3	30	43	50.0	69	43	56.4	89

As with the previous article, the results across each CPU is basically flat. Even looking at the minimums and maximums, the variations are within the margin of error.

With CrossFire, we do see some performance improvements with a pair of R9 280X cards. The FX-4350 does hamper performance, especially on the R7 260X. The FX-4350 carries parity with the other CPUs with the pair of R7 270X. Even the max frame rate with the R9 280X is on par with the other CPUs. However, the minimum and average scores are much lower.

Gaming CPU Shoot-Out Redux: Multi-GPU Scaling - DiRT: Showdown

DiRT: Showdown

1080p Widescreen

1080p Eyefinity

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