US GPU working alongside UK GPU

SLIPPYFI5T · 12 Sep 2013 at 12:00

Hey guys

I'm looking at crossfiring 2 AMD HD7970s. I currently have just the one which is an XFX Core Edition 7970. However it's extremely hard to get another core edition in the UK. They seem to pop up once in a while on ebay, yet quite a bit on the US ebay site. If I was to buy a GPU from the US would it work in my UK built computer? Might sound like a silly question but am unsure whether they would be different voltages or not etc. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

PiKe · 12 Sep 2013 at 12:03

Absolutely no issue with doing this what so ever.

SLIPPYFI5T · 12 Sep 2013 at 12:04

Ok thanks for the reply

Geeman1979 · 12 Sep 2013 at 12:04

It should be fine.

SLIPPYFI5T · 12 Sep 2013 at 12:05

Just wasn't sure due to voltages etc, Im guessing the PSU compensates for this?

PiKe · 12 Sep 2013 at 12:06

They operate on the same voltages, you have the same 5v and 12v in your computer whether you're in Japan, America or England.

The only difference is the line voltage (from the wall) which the PSU deals with anyway.

SLIPPYFI5T · 12 Sep 2013 at 12:08

Ok thanks guys really appreciate it

cmndr_andi · 12 Sep 2013 at 12:11

US mains supply is 120V @60Hz AC (Alternating Current) and UK mains supply is 230V@50Hz AC.

However, PC components use DC (Direct Current) which is delivered to them using a PSU - this takes the AV supply (either 120V@60Hz or 230V@50Hz) and converts it to a DC supply at different voltages.

All modern consumer graphics cards worldwide use 12V DC. So yes, buying a graphics card from the US (or a HDD/CPU etc.) will work fine in a UK PC.

imginy · 12 Sep 2013 at 12:31

Why would you want to go out your way to buy an xfx card?

There is plenty of better cards for sale on this site and you wouldn't have to wait 2 weeks for delivery.

Edit: just to add also you would have no warranty and might end up paying a fortune in import duty.

Drangueos · 12 Sep 2013 at 12:35

It will work, but you don't need the same card to crossfire, you can get any 7950 or 7970 to crossfire with yours.

I prefer to use the same card, but it is not mandatory.

Martini1991 · 12 Sep 2013 at 12:46

It'll work, but if that's your rig with the FX8150, it'll bottleneck.

SLIPPYFI5T · 12 Sep 2013 at 15:54

Only really want to get the same one if I can so it will look better through the case window. More personal preference then anything. And bottle neck how much so? Im still quite new to all this so i've still got a lot to learn. Really appreciate the help thanks

Martini1991 · 12 Sep 2013 at 15:55

It'll be quite significant.
You're bottlenecking your single 7970 as it is.

SLIPPYFI5T · 12 Sep 2013 at 15:58

really? i didnt know that :S

Zeed · 12 Sep 2013 at 15:59

They are both made in China so whats the difference ??

Martini1991 · 12 Sep 2013 at 15:59

Run 10 games on your system measuring the GPU usage.

Say 5 games from 2012, and 5 games from this year.

There's only a very handful of games that your FX8150 at 3.6GHZ is pushing your 7970 to the limits.

SLIPPYFI5T · 12 Sep 2013 at 16:01

ok ill try that thanks

SLIPPYFI5T · 12 Sep 2013 at 16:10

blimey dose bottle neck i never knew that. So I should overclock my CPU to try and prevent this?

Martini1991 · 12 Sep 2013 at 16:14

You can overclock and it'll lower the bottleneck a bit, but going Crossfire on an FX8150 is a very bad idea.

SLIPPYFI5T · 12 Sep 2013 at 16:15

ok thanks for the advice

maybe i'll leave it then and just oc the CPU to try and remove some of the bottleneck