Need cooling advice for 6870 crossfire

martyn12444 · 22 Sep 2011 at 21:08

I currently have an XFX HD 6870, and I plan on buying another. I have already chosen a power supply (Corsair 850W) to deal with two cards and I have an i5 650 cpu with a 1156 socket. The motherboard I am looking at has 2 PCI-e 2.0 slots to support both cards, but I have one main problem.
Currently, running one 6870, my temps hit around 80C running several games (crysis, witcher 2 etc) with the stock cooler and no overclock. I know that getting a second card will just push the temps dangerously high, so I'm looking for a suitable cooling solution for both cards. I have considered water cooling, but the price puts me off. Aftermarket coolers seem to be much more efficient, but I'm worried that I wont be able to fit the cards on the motherboard side by side because some of the coolers take up so many slots.

The motherboard in question is this: Asus P7P55D-E P55 Socket 1156

So I was wondering if anyone can suggest a cooling solution, and if possible, a motherboard better suited (e.g. PCI-e slots further apart)

Thanks

Surveyor · 22 Sep 2011 at 21:14

Hi and welcome to the forum.

With 2 cards fitted there is the space of an empty slots between the cards so the top card should get some decent airflow.

Before dashing off and spending more money I'd try the 2 cards and see how it goes.

There are loads off people running Crossfire or SLI with similar card spacing without any problems.

martyn12444 · 22 Sep 2011 at 21:22

Ok, thanks for the feedback

Even after a few years on various forums, I have forgotten that links are generally blocked lol

Surveyor · 22 Sep 2011 at 21:29

martyn12444 said:
Ok, thanks for the feedback Even after a few years on various forums, I have forgotten that links are generally blocked lol

No problem.

Have a read of the FAQ.

One of the biggest no no's on this forum is the linking to competitor's websites, discussing competitor's prices etc.

martyn12444 · 22 Sep 2011 at 21:46

Surveyor said:
One of the biggest no no's on this forum is the linking to competitor's websites, discussing competitor's prices etc.

Ahh yes, I complete forgot that overclockers sold stuff for a minute lol

Thanks

dragos1977 · 22 Sep 2011 at 23:13

i have 2 of those 6870 in crossfire and never above 57-59 degrees but also havinf a HAF X case so the side fan is doing a good job in cooling.

martyn12444 · 23 Sep 2011 at 10:25

dragos1977 said:
i have 2 of those 6870 in crossfire and never above 57-59 degrees but also havinf a HAF X case so the side fan is doing a good job in cooling.

Well I have a CM storm scout case, but when I upgrade i'm buying an Antec Dark Fleet DF-85 case and sticking a 120mm fan on the side lol. I know the airflow will be better than my current case and it'll run cooler with one card... But with two i'm hoping it wont be too much

Grandmaster Fap! · 23 Sep 2011 at 13:54

Is it the 6870 BE with single fan cooler? if so then yeah i can understand the temps, even with good airflow mine was hitting 90c and sounded like a wind turbine. I got an accelero twin turbo pro cooler and it's the best 25 quid ive spent.
As others have said, get the other card and try some better airflow to see how you go but if your not happy then i'd recommend the accelero on both cards, very cool and even at full speed i can only just hear it!