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Upgrade 2x Xfire 5870s for a 6990

Nippletweaker

Nippletweaker

Nippletweaker

Associate
Joined
17 Jun 2009
Posts
37
Hello,

I have a pair of HIS 5870s XFired in my desktop and am considering upgrading to a single 6990 (4gb) I have 3 monitors running at 1920*1200.

My justification to myself for shelling out is I have serious heat issues. The 2 cards are so close when installed in the x16 slots the lower one basically warms the air in the upper one. I bought a Revo drive for the machine but had to remove it because the heat was to much with it blocking the intake for the lower card.

My other option is watercooling the cards but I have non reference cards (HIS iCooler) and this feels like shelling out good money after bad.

What I want to know is will the single card outperform the dual setup when running the 3 monitors and will it max out on the latest games? I play mostly racing games (DiRT2 and NFS Shift being current favorite and the new one comes out soon) I want to know my £500 outlay will let me race at full res in eyefinity.

What could I get for the pair of 5870s on ebay?

Muchos gracias

Andrew
 
I would suggest any multi gpu setup over a 6990 or a 590. The 6990's cooler isn't good enough for the job, and is very loud. The 590 isn't as fast as the 6990, costs more and also doesn't overclock as much. I would have though that your 5870s would run cooler than these cards, and not much slower.

Maybe get two 6950s or gtx480s, or possibly a new case? or, maybe a new motherboard with further separated PCIe slots?
 
Mojo said:
I would suggest any multi gpu setup over a 6990 or a 590. The 6990's cooler isn't good enough for the job, and is very loud. The 590 isn't as fast as the 6990, costs more and also doesn't overclock as much. I would have though that your 5870s would run cooler than these cards, and not much slower.

Maybe get two 6950s or gtx480s, or possibly a new case? or, maybe a new motherboard with further separated PCIe slots?
Click to expand...

the 590 is an overclocking beast
 
OK so if I go Xfire again what do I need to look out for to prevent making the pair into a toasted sandwich? I need 3 PCI slots filled. My mobo is very new so don't want to replace. My case is an Antec P180 with all the fans in it. I am after something that works and is future proof.

Tempted to try my hand at watercooling but my cards are non reference so I am unsure about getting blocks to fit. If I get a generic block will the vram not over heat?

I feel a big expenditure coming on...
 
Nippletweaker said:
Hello,

I have a pair of HIS 5870s XFired in my desktop and am considering upgrading to a single 6990 (4gb) I have 3 monitors running at 1920*1200.

My justification to myself for shelling out is I have serious heat issues. The 2 cards are so close when installed in the x16 slots the lower one basically warms the air in the upper one. I bought a Revo drive for the machine but had to remove it because the heat was to much with it blocking the intake for the lower card.

My other option is watercooling the cards but I have non reference cards (HIS iCooler) and this feels like shelling out good money after bad.

What I want to know is will the single card outperform the dual setup when running the 3 monitors and will it max out on the latest games? I play mostly racing games (DiRT2 and NFS Shift being current favorite and the new one comes out soon) I want to know my £500 outlay will let me race at full res in eyefinity.

What could I get for the pair of 5870s on ebay?

Muchos gracias

Andrew
Click to expand...

honestly I'd get a new MOBO with further spacing and get a longer bridge to xfire the cards...that'll let more air circulate and keep them cooler. New case with more fans and better cooling maybe as I don't know what case you have...


EDIT: just saw you got a new mobo recently...perhaps a superior case with more fans....failing that you could mount a fan blowing air between the cards
 
Last edited:
I've no idea how much the waterblocks would cost, but you'd be looking at an outlay of around £225'ish after selling your 2 5870's to switch to a 6990.

I take it your cpu is already watercooled ? If it is, have you tried emailing the block makers to see if they suport your card model ?

The 6990 will be quicker than your current setup & the 2gb vram should be an added advantage at your resolution + aa in some games.

Only other choice would be to try some Antec Spotcool fans positioned to blow between the cards ? Easily the cheapest option, but might not drop the temps enough for your liking.
 
Mojo said:
I would suggest any multi gpu setup over a 6990 or a 590. The 6990's cooler isn't good enough for the job, and is very loud. The 590 isn't as fast as the 6990, costs more and also doesn't overclock as much. I would have though that your 5870s would run cooler than these cards, and not much slower.

Maybe get two 6950s or gtx480s, or possibly a new case? or, maybe a new motherboard with further separated PCIe slots?
Click to expand...

Good advice... I was going to go for a 590 or 6990. But looking at the reviews / price difference I cant argue that a 6950 xfire setup makes much more sense.
 
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