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What are the drawbacks of crossfire? (5850's)

EdwardTeach

EdwardTeach

EdwardTeach

Soldato
Joined
18 Mar 2010
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4,174
I am considering getting another 5850 for crossfire. I wanted some advice on the drawbacks.

I am aware there can be driver issues. From what I understand this means that sometimes it won't work with new games? Prob not a massive issue for me, as I early buy new releases.

What about the power draw?Will my corsair hx 750 be able to handle it? Will I notice an increase in my electricity bill?

My pc is not mostly used for gaming. Will having two cards running on idle end up costing me more in electricity than one more powerful card?
 
I run crossfire 5850 with my system below before upgrading and never really en counted any major problems.

I pulled 430w from the mains with Prime and 3d win mark running, your current PSU will be more than enough.
 
Power consumption, heat and the fact that you wont see 100% gain in performance, not much else tbh.

hx750 is a great PSU and should handle 2 of them cards.
 
Did you go from one 5850 to crossfire. Did you notice a difference in you electricity bill?

I have no idea idea what my computer costs to run in general, so I have no idea if a graphics card has any noticeable cost.
 
EdwardTeach said:
Did you go from one 5850 to crossfire. Did you notice a difference in you electricity bill?

I have no idea idea what my computer costs to run in general, so I have no idea if a graphics card has any noticeable cost.
Click to expand...

I did originally have one and upgraded to the 2nd later, I do not count the cost of my system whilst running, my pc is on a few hrs during the week and more during the weekend.
 
Fancied a change, went originally with the 480 then changed to the 580 over Christmas, also I use the 580 for Folding.

I must admit I have not noticed to much difference, I never really had any problems with the 5850 crossfire, ie crashes or strange goings on.
When looking at the performance charts the 5850 xfire does beat the 580 in certain tests, I don't have any figures to give a comparison.
 
Seen your other thread regards energy usage mine at full load is 500w from the mains, with my 480 it was 615w.

Running Prime & Furmark together, also have various HDD and watercooling.
 
Just go with a second 5850, if it beats the 580 in some tests and you are happy with the performance then it is not far from being on par with a single 580. The only problem is what I have mentioned already. You choice!
 
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