Crossfire question - different types of 7970

[Hades]

I'm probably going to press the trigger on an Asus 7970 Directcu II Top (I know new cards are coming out but I doubt they will be so cheap). If I were to buy a cheap standard 7970 (not Directcu II Top) later from the MM then would it crossfire ok. I assume it will just drop both cards to the stanrad speed.

 

[teppic]

Yup. You can run them at different speeds, but you might find the normal 7970 still clocks over 1000MHz anyway - almost all can manage that speed.

 

[Hades]

Thanks.

 

[Gregster]

Just remember that those cards are around 2.5 PCI-E slots and spacing could be an issue.

 

[Hades]

Yes aware they take up three slots... but had assumed that crossfire should still fit? even if I ended up with two of them?

 

[teppic]

Not all boards will take two 3 slot cards. Should be easy to check yours. But I think it's only the Asus 7970 that uses 3, at least most are 2.

 

[Hades]

Thanks. My current board is a socket 775 jobbie that doesn't support crossfire at all. I'm just thinking of the future as I'm stringly considering that card at current prices. I guess if my board in the future won't take two three slot cards then I just keep an eye out for a two slot card and put that at the top.

 

[teppic]

You could pick a future board that has enough space, it's not that rare I think. Mine would take two. In saying that, two three slot cards in a case would need quite a good airflow, so it might be better to look for a 2 slot one if you want Crossfire later anyway.

 

[Hades]

Thanks.

 

[Drangueos]

You can also crossfire with a 7950.