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Crossfire temp issue should I run X8 X8

Born_2_Kill_83

Born_2_Kill_83

Born_2_Kill_83

Soldato
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So my MSI Gaming 7 board supports X16 X16 in a crossfire setup, but as there is literally no gap between my cards the top card hits 94c quickly and throttles back.

I can however run my cards in PCI_E slots 1&5, which would create a gap where I can cool air between the GPU's. Doing this though for some reason runs the cards in X8 X8 mode, not X16 X8. If any-one knows why this is I am interested to know, I am currently asking MSI as well.

So the question is, where will I loose the most performance, X16 X16 and throttling back a few mhz or running them in a silly X8 X8 config with no throttling.
 
You need to stop worrying about this :D

You running pci 3.0 8x = 16x 2.0

So you really running dual 16x 2.0

You will not notice any difference between 3.0 or 2.0 and same for 8x and 16x
 
Depending on how severe the throttling is you will loose more performance from the throttling than running 8 x 8. The difference at lower resolutions isn't that much (You will notice it in Benchmarks but that's about it). I think Kaap posted a while back that at 4k it makes a difference but for lower resolutions it wont, that's for sure.

Also I am guessing but there maybe other issues with it throttling aggressively like stuttering and the likes.


What case do you have? Is there literally no gap at all between the cards and do you have a side vent blowing air on the cards?
 
Qitarah said:
Depending on how severe the throttling is you will probably loose more performance from the throttling than running 8 x 8.

Also I am guessing but there maybe other issues with it throttling aggressively like stuttering and the likes.


What case do you have? Is there literally no gap at all between the cards and do you have a side vent blowing air on the cards?
Click to expand...

I'm running 4k thats why I'm concerned. I have a H440, 3 case fans blowing at card and 1 internal high pressure fan blowing directly at them, the gap is around 4mm, with a slot gap I don't have a problem with my temps.
 
Agree with the others... I'd give them room to breathe and go 8 + 8.

Like shankly says PCIe 3.0 @ 8x has the same bandwidth as PCIe 2.0 @ 16x. For any modern high end GPU that's more than enough... you'd only notice a frame or two's difference in modern games if that.

I'd rather have GPU's running at rated speeds and cooler temps anyway - the extra performance you'd lose from throttling would likely be more than any small drop you'd see from running at 8x.

I agree though - PCIe spacings and speed rating combinations seem a bit odd on so many boards. :(
 
gt_junkie said:
Agree with the others... I'd give them room to breathe and go 8 + 8.

Like shankly says PCIe 3.0 @ 8x has the same bandwidth as PCIe 2.0 @ 16x. For any modern high end GPU that's more than enough... you'd only notice a frame or two's difference in modern games if that.

I'd rather have GPU's running at rated speeds and cooler temps anyway - the extra performance you'd lose from throttling would likely be more than any small drop you'd see from running at 8x.
Click to expand...

This unfortunately is my gut feeling, just worried about loosing FPS with a 4K setup, needs as many as I can get ;)
 
You're going to lose more performance from it throttling than you will running PCI-E 3.0 8x/8x.

It's only when you get to 3 GPUs and above that PCI-E 3.0 8x really is noticeably better over PCI-E 2.0 8x.
 
Yer h440 and two r9 290s without watercooling is gonna be a tough cookie to crack.

A few things to try;

Have you removed ALL your excess hard drive bays?
What are you using to cool the CPU an AIO or a aircooler?

Aircooler:

Make sure you have the top fan slots on the case populated (first 2 slots) extracting air out of the case.

AIO:

Make sure you have decent static pressure fans pushing air through the radiator.


I noticed an improvement of airflow by replacing the front fans. Apparently high static pressure on the front fans has a positive benefit. Noctua NF-F12 were recommended for the high SP and good amount of air being pushed through. You will want to put them connected to your motherboard not the NZXT hub though.


Make sure you have decent cable management (I.e. non in the way of the air flow), upgrade all your fans and consider ghetto rigging up some internal fans for more precise air movements and spot cooling.


That being said I doubt you will get any improvements if its throttling so hard so quickly. Just bash it in 8x8. Thats all you can do really :X Mabye send the motherboard back and buy a new one with different slot wiring?
 
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shankly1985 said:
Ops sorry.
OK then reason there running 8x is because the pci lanes share bandwidth with the other pci lanes.

Nothing you can do to changes this. It's dual 16x so long as others are empty. Soon you install another GPU into other slots they become 8x
Click to expand...

Will this include a soundcard in the bottom slot?
If I run X16 X16 on the GPU's (top slots) and then add a sound card will it force X8 X8 X1 or X16 X16 X1 still?
 
Qitarah said:
Yer h440 and two r9 290s without watercooling is gonna be a tough cookie to crack.

A few things to try;

Have you removed ALL your excess hard drive bays? Yes
What are you using to cool the CPU an AIO or a aircooler? H100i

Aircooler:

Make sure you have the top fan slots on the case populated (first 2 slots) extracting air out of the case.

AIO:

Make sure you have decent static pressure fans pushing air through the radiator. Stock fans atm


I noticed an improvement of airflow by replacing the front fans. Apparently high static pressure on the front fans has a positive benefit. Noctua NF-F12 were recommended for the high SP and good amount of air being pushed through. You will want to put them connected to your motherboard not the NZXT hub though. Front stock fans have been replaced with high static pressure fans


Make sure you have decent cable management (I.e. non in the way of the air flow), upgrade all your fans and consider ghetto rigging up some internal fans for more precise air movements and spot cooling. Cable management prefected


That being said I doubt you will get any improvements if its throttling so hard so quickly. Just bash it in 8x8. Thats all you can do really :X Mabye send the motherboard back and buy a new one with different slot wiring? Would this be possible with OcUK?
Click to expand...

Responded above, thanks :D
 
Well you should be able to return the motherboard under DSR, although the rules have changed some what with DSR. Phone OCers and see what they have to say on the matter.


And the stock fans on a h100i do a decent job of pushing air through but they are bloody noisy, don't have much other advise to give really other than run them in 8x8, try get a different motherboard or watercool them :D
 
I am assuming when you are gaming your PSU is loaded and therefore the fan is running ? is it dumping hot air into the case and onto cards as well or have you got the fan facing down so its taking air from outside the case and pushing the hot air outside as well ?
 
anthony566 said:
I am assuming when you are gaming your PSU is loaded and therefore the fan is running ? is it dumping hot air into the case and onto cards as well or have you got the fan facing down so its taking air from outside the case and pushing the hot air outside as well ?
Click to expand...

Its face downwards towards the desk so no air from the PSU gets inside the case, the only good thing about the H440.
 
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