Key Takeaways
- Dual-GPU setups are making a comeback, leveraging new frame generation technologies like Lossless Scaling to enhance gaming performance.
- The YouTuber ETA PRIME demonstrated improved performance in games by using an Intel Arc A380 for frame generation alongside an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060.
- In tests, frame rates significantly increased from below 60 FPS to over 120 FPS with Lossless Scaling enabled, especially at 2x scaling.
- The Arc A380 proved to be efficient, utilizing only 34 watts while achieving 70-80% utilization, compared to the higher utilization of the RTX 3060.
- This approach allows gamers with mid-range hardware to boost performance without needing to upgrade to high-end GPUs.
Combining two GPUs to enhance gaming performance is an old technique that seems to be making a return thanks to new frame generation technologies. One notable application is Lossless Scaling, available on Steam, which uses machine learning to boost performance. The great thing about it is its compatibility with games lacking built-in frame generation features. YouTuber ETA PRIME recently demonstrated a dual-GPU configuration in a gaming PC, assigning one GPU specifically for the frame generation work.
Components Used in the Setup
In their gaming PC, the YouTuber included an Intel Core i5-11400F CPU, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 GPU with 12GB of VRAM, and an Intel Arc A380, which has 6GB of VRAM. Additionally, the system was equipped with 16GB of RAM.
Testing Performance
After a quick setup, where the RTX 3060 was set as the primary GPU and the Lossless Scaling app was launched, the YouTuber began testing various games. The first game was Borderlands 4, played at 1440p with medium settings and DLSS set to balanced. The RTX 3060 alone struggled to keep a high frame rate, often dropping below 60 FPS. However, once the Arc A380 took on the frame generation task via Lossless Scaling, the performance significantly improved.
With a fixed 2x multiplier, the system exceeded 120 FPS without any noticeable input lag, according to the YouTuber. Even when trying 3x scaling, the playability was stable, though 2x was identified as the ideal setting.
Further Tests on Cyberpunk and Oblivion
The next game tested was Cyberpunk 2077, at 1440p ultra settings with DLSS configured to quality. The RTX 3060, operating independently, averaged around 48 FPS. After enabling Lossless Scaling on the Arc A380, the generated frames boosted performance up to around 150 FPS.
Notably, issues with HUD elements and crosshairs that were common in prior app versions were mostly resolved, leading to a smoother and more consistent gaming experience, as stated by the YouTuber.
ETA PRIME also looked at Oblivion Remastered. At 1440p high settings, the RTX 3060 alone struggled to maintain 60 FPS. However, with Lossless Scaling set to 2x, the average performance comfortably surpassed 100 FPS, showcasing the secondary GPU's capability for frame generation.
Noteworthy Efficiency of the Arc A380
One of the impressive aspects of this setup is the efficiency of the Arc A380. Even though it's a budget-friendly card that doesn't need external power, it managed frame generation with about 70–80% utilization and consumed only around 34 watts. In contrast, the RTX 3060's utilization ranged from 90 to 100%.
While this dual-GPU approach isn't a substitute for upgrading to a high-end GPU, it presents a creative method to extract more performance from mid-range hardware, and many viewers seemed to echo this sentiment in the comments.
One user mentioned their “1050 Ti has a new life”, while another stated they own an RTX 1660 Ti and plan to combine it with an RTX 2070 Super.
Source: Link