Single to Xfire first timer

Celebryn · 23 Jun 2010 at 10:39

I currently have a HD5850 running on stock settings. I have thought about OCing it but I am using fans that they came with and I am unsure it will remain stable (using ATI Overdrive).

I do not want to go down the route of having to buy lots of cooling kit as I do not want to mess with anything. Buying more fans for my case I can do. My current two case fans are just set on low atm.

I have been thinking about buying another card and with the VAT increase I will look to doing it sooner.

I figure (from what I have read) that I would be best to just buy another 5830.

Would I need more cooling just at stock settings?

I currently an using a M4a79xtdevo with a corsair 650W in the antec 300 case with the 2 fans it comes with.

atmax1 · 23 Jun 2010 at 10:47

ATI Overdrive sucks lool you would use MSI Afterburner to OC... people seem to get stable overclocks but you need to watch out for the heat...

Another 5850 gives you a nice FPS boost, I added mine without adding more fans, but don't use ATI 10.6 drivers at the moment with crossfire.

Celebryn · 23 Jun 2010 at 11:05

I do not want to OC to the point where I need to start install water cooling or different fans on the GPU. I dont want to risk messing anything up.

I will wait to see if 5850 prices come down then grab one.

As long as I can install it without having to install anything else I will be happy.

RavenXXX2 · 23 Jun 2010 at 11:22

Don't xfire a 5830 and 5850 it's a big waste of performance, either get another 5850 or overlock the 5850 to 5870 speeds and you will get a big jump in performance, 5850 runs cool when clocked anyway, if your card is not running too hot at stock then overclock it.

IKMS · 23 Jun 2010 at 11:23

If you Crossfired with the 5830 the 5850 would drop the 5830 speeds. Waste of money.

Celebryn · 23 Jun 2010 at 11:57

Argh - sorry my typo.

I meant to type another 5850, not 5830.

I have been trying to run 3Dmark vantage but it stops part way through with an error - Device removed. it has always dont this even after re-install and new drivers.

Any other benchmarks out there I can use?

So should I get another OC program?

atmax1 · 23 Jun 2010 at 12:10

If you useing CCC to overclock then yes... get MSI Afterburner from there website, you can then go to the installasion folder and edit the config to unofficialoverclocking =1 and it will allow you to overclock like everybody else does.

atmax1 · 23 Jun 2010 at 12:10

would you like me to run a benchmark with my 2x5850s so you can see the scores you get with 2?

Celebryn · 23 Jun 2010 at 12:15

If you could please!

The only benchmark i have atm is the Offical Final Fantasy one :0

I am download MSI now will be interesting to compare a single 5850 then and OC one then two

atmax1 · 23 Jun 2010 at 12:32

These are non overclocked scores of my 2x 5850s

Celebryn · 23 Jun 2010 at 12:54

Thanks for that! Will have a gander on their website as I cant get mine working.

I decided against OC altogether and will stick to stock

atmax1 · 23 Jun 2010 at 13:01

I will do it with crossfire off aswell

Celebryn · 23 Jun 2010 at 13:03

oh thank you.
I just ran the MSI stabilty test it started to level out after 10mins to around 78 degrees.

I think I might turning my lower case fan onto medium. If i have trouble with one keeping cool - no point of thinking I can run two without any changes.

Devrij · 23 Jun 2010 at 13:12

Overclocking 5xxx series cards is really easy bro. If you're uncomfortable with afterburner, stick with ATI overdrive and use furmark (free to download) to test stability. Raise clocks up 5-10MHz at a time and retest, and if you notice "snow" or other artifacts you need to turn it down a bit, or if your temps start nearing the 80C mark it's also time to ease off. Easy as pie mate.

Celebryn · 23 Jun 2010 at 13:18

Well i tried CCC and when I ran MSI stability the screen went blue, not a BSOD but the striped blue/light blue lines.

I know OC is easier then it seems - I just dont want to wreck anything. i would rather and run at clock and have it working then trying to push it and risk anything frying.

Add: i just went into my PC and moved one of the case fansfrom the back/top to the slot in the side that fits over the graphics card. I also turned it up onto medium settings.

atmax1 · 23 Jun 2010 at 13:42

this is with 1 5850

Celebryn · 23 Jun 2010 at 13:54

Well they look good! I will definitely be looking at another one. Thank you for running those.

I am very worried about my temps though, within 5 mins of the MSI stability it had reached 78Degrees. Though GPUz logged this in 10 mins of the test:

GPU Core clock as 157.0
GPU Memory Clock as 300.0
Gpu Temperature 42.0 climbing to 48.0
Fan speed steady at 22

So how come they are showing different things?

I dont want to buy another card until i know I wont fry it as well as the one I curently have. I havent really tested my current one apart from Dragon age.

atmax1 · 23 Jun 2010 at 14:03

No problem.. what case do you have? and added any more fans to it?

I think it would be fine, mine runs a little hot in mine and seem to cope well.. If your worried about it add more fans or better fans.

Celebryn · 23 Jun 2010 at 14:06

I am using an antec 300 case. The fans were originally the back/top and top of the case but I just move the back/top to the side slot.

I keep editing my post rather then just making new ones so best to check

This is teh problem with me having days of work.. I tend to fiddle

atmax1 · 23 Jun 2010 at 14:15

lol... Nice case, I used to have the Antec 1200.. am i right in thinking it has 2 fans in the front? and one in the back?

I would say it will be fine, and the fan on the side should help it