How cheaply could I crossfire?

[Jonny Chee]

Hey all,

I currently have a HIS IceQ 7950 Boost and would very much like to get another and crossfire.

My problem is that whilst my MOBO has two GPU slots, one of them only runs at half the speed (I believe).

Additionally, my PSU is only 550w.

I will post my full rig below, but would like to know what the cheapest way around this is?

Or would I be better off just selling my 7950 and upgrading to a better single GPU?

System specs:

CPU: i5 2500k @ 4.5Ghz
GPU: HIS 7950 Iceq Boost @ 1100/1500
MOBO: Gigabyte Z68AP-D3
RAM: 8Gb Exceleram 1333Mhz
PSU: Seasonic G Series 550w '80 Plus Gold' Modular
CASE: Cooler Master HAF 912 Advanced
STORAGE: Samsung 120Gb SSD / 500Gb HDD
MONITOR: AOC 22" LED @ 1080p

Any advice is much appreciated.

 

[krooton]

The second slot running at x4 shouldn't be a massive issue at 1080p, as the bandwidth isn't really required at that res. If you plan to move to 1440p, it might have up to a 10% performance hit.

You would need to get at least a 700w quality PSU.

If you can pick up another 7950 for £180ish brand new, you can get around £20-£25 back on selling the game codes, bringing it down to 2nd hand price levels for a new card.

 

[Panos]

I will agree with krooton.

Cheapest solution, that will provide the most "grunt" is to get a better PSU and a second 7950.

Later on you change the motherboard if you want to.

 

[LtMatt]

Krooton nailed it.

 

[Jonny Chee]

Ok, thanks a lot for the advice.

I guess I should ask, is it really worth getting a second one @ 1080p?

The main game that I will be playing is BF4.

 

[krooton]

Given I happily use a single, mildly overclocked 7950 for 1440p, possibly not, but then I don't play BF4, and am happy to not bother with AA at this res.

 

[cjph]

There is a today only 7950 on for £162 on overclockers - a basic HIS model, but 7950 nonetheless.

cj

 

[Sky01454]

I had the same system as you but upgraded to the latest Haswell i7 and bought another HD 7950 from Overclockers as it was on deal. The performance different is amazing. The temperatures are another story tho.