xfire first time

[johnsparton10]

Hey guys. I have never used a xfire of sli system I rather go for a single card thats quite good at the time. I want this to change as I am getting a bit bored and want to tinker with my set up. This si the card I have atm

http://www.powercolor.com/us/products_features.asp?id=241

I dont want to spend stupid ammpunts of cash on them but would want a better set up than what I have atm.

Any help/suggestions on what cards to go from would be great

 

[Mangochutney]

You could get a cheap 5850 to go with that, on offer at the moment.
I've got 2 5850's in crossfire and its a great set up. Easy to install and have never noticed any stuttering even in the most demanding games at the highest settings.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-259-SP&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1711

 

[johnsparton10]

Would I not lose out on performance with the cards being different?

 

[Mangochutney]

You would gain more performance with an extra 5870, not sure on the scaling but it would twice as powerful for arguments sake. Obviously adding a 5850 would not be as good but still substantialy more than your single card.

 

[Mangochutney]

Reading a couple of threads suggests that adding a 5850 would make your 5870 run at 5850 speeds, ie when crossfiring 2 different cards they both run at the slower card's speed. It would still be quiet a performance boost and you may be able to o/c the 5850 to match your 5870.

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?p=18988918

Is you PSU up to it btw?

 

[Final8y]

Are using Eyefinity ?
You will lose 1GB on Vram if pairing with a 1GB card.

 

[Final8y]

Reading a couple of threads suggests that adding a 5850 would make your 5870 run at 5850 speeds, ie when crossfiring 2 different cards they both run at the slower card's speed. It would still be quiet a performance boost and you may be able to o/c the 5850 to match your 5870.

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?p=18988918

Is you PSU up to it btw?

You can clock CF cards & GPUs independently.

 

[johnsparton10]

yeah psu shoud be ok and no am using eyefintiy. might have done if i CF with the same card :s..hmmm what to do what to do.

Just looking and i think i may need a better psu. Only running a 750w :s

 

[Mangochutney]

If its a decent make of PSU it should be fine. I'm using a 620w one (Corsair) and have had no problems, have even o/c'd my CPU.

 

[johnsparton10]

If its a decent make of PSU it should be fine. I'm using a 620w one (Corsair) and have had no problems, have even o/c'd my CPU.

Not even 750w its 700

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-165-CM&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=1103

sould be fine I think. Might try and sell my 5870 and get two new cards

 

[Mangochutney]

Yeh, I'm sure that PSU will be fine even for 2x5870's.
2 5870's would be overkill for any game now and indeed the near future unless you are gaming at a big resolution or multi-screens.
Have you tried members market to see if anyone is selling a 2gb 5870? I can't find any 2gb versions for sale new.

 

[johnsparton10]

I have not got enough posts for it or I would have had a look :s. It would be ideal if I could get another 5870 2 gig. Got a HAF 932 so got the room for it, not sure my mobo will fit another one in tho :s

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-235-GI&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=1692

 

[arc@css]

Looking at the pic and specification I'd say it should be ok.

 

[johnsparton10]

would any 2 gig 5870 do? have seen a gigabyte obne for 200 ish....''Gigabyte GV R5876P-2GD-B Graphics adapter'' (did not want to link to another websit on here. Would that work?!?