Solved Would like your educated opinion on Crossfiring

[linnemeyerhere]

I currently have a single MSI R5770 Hawk series GPU and the price has just gone to sub $100.00 for these excellent cards. Does it make sense to purchase another and Crossfire or is it just added heat, energy and trouble ? Good news is I have the perfect PSU and mobo to add another card.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

OK 278 hits and not one reply, what gives?

 

[bobkn]

OK 278 hits and not one reply, what gives?

Who knows?

Maybe the enthusiasts who visit here wouldn't consider doing crossfire with a midrange card.

I haven't used Crossfire X since a pair of 4870s a few years ago. The performance was good, but the driver support seemed weak.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Thanks bobkn,
I've heard the same regarding driver support and if it weren't for the one vendor down to $89.00 delivered I would likely be passing.

 

[Manigue]

I currently have a single MSI R5770 Hawk series GPU and the price has just gone to sub $100.00 for these excellent cards. Does it make sense to purchase another and Crossfire or is it just added heat, energy and trouble ? Good news is I have the perfect PSU and mobo to add another card.

I crossed fired two XFX HD5770 around year and half ago and I am very pleased. As of today I have never had problems with driver updates.

If you have good fans in your rig, heat won't be an issue. At least it has'nt been for me. If you upgrade, download the "AMD System Monitor v1.0.0.8" (or newer version). It will provide you with valuable crossfire info when they are in use.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Manigue,
Direct hands on with two 5770's is perfect, thanks.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Well it's done, I've ordered another MSI R5770 Hawk to cross fire. Also got two of the new Noctua focused fans to replace the stock corsairs and I'm re configuring the air flow in my case.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

It's a done deal !

 

[Manigue]

It's a done deal !

So, how's the overall performance/results?

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Well funny you should ask, real world it's a solid improvement in performance but my WEI scores are the same? I will have to wait to get into some gaming to see the differences.

 

[stormy13]

That would be because WEI doesn't support Crossfire and still only sees/is based on a single card.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Stormy13, is there a good performance tool you could suggest to test the performance. I've used up my PassMark free trail period, but maybe there are other ways?

 

[stormy13]

Just what they use on the various review sites, which is more games than any specific benchmark programs. Maybe check out a few of them and see what if anything other than 3D Mark 11/Heaven they use besides games if you're looking for benchmark programs outside of games.

Best would be to just use them in the games you play and see how much of a difference there is. Give it a run through with Crossfire disabled and enabled and see.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Stormy +1 to that.

 

[BugMeister]

- it would interesting to know what the Heaven Benchmark is on that set-up..
- bet it's really high in CF mode..

- PS - that's really good value for a hardware upgrade, BTW..

 

[linnemeyerhere]

BugMeister,
That's the way I roll. I can't be chasing the latest and greatest but if you buy solid performers then you can extract good if not great results. My goal was to Crossfire but funny as I'm the same guy that would blog that in a perfect world just buy the best single card you can afford or justify and if you have monies down the road then think about single or more SLI'g or Crossfiring.

Ran Heaven and oh man it was the best thing ever !

 

[Solarstarshines]

Sorry I didn't see this thread before Alan with your cooling set up and those not so much power drawing cards you will be fine

Im glad you went ahead and put the CF in effect Like stormy said in earlier post the WEI will not change even with a Overclock my Hd 6870 is CF and stuck with a 7.8

Im sure you will have a 40% Overall gain in performance just a single 5770 did the work for me on Dead island when my original 6870 went Kaput I've had my 5770 little over 2-1/2 years and i have to say those cards are solid ROCK solid and the Twin Hawks look awesome Basicly same Design as my Twin Frozr

Enjoy your new found wings my friend makes me want to get another 5770 for the old AM2+ rig and run a CF too lol so Tempting !

 

[linnemeyerhere]

I can't explain how smooth and the detail I'm seeing in some of these benchmarks. As mentioned the Heaven bench marking was crazy!

 

[stormy13]

No but anyone that has upgraded from a weaker card to a stronger one does know what you're talking about. I saw the same sort of thing when I went from a HD 4830 to a HD 6850. Higher FPS, smoother game play, and all at higher settings to boot.

 

[BugMeister]

I know what you mean, linnemeyerhere..

the crossfire set-up has that strange effect - it does feel much more robust..
and it really does add that little bit extra - you get a feeling of confidence
knowing that your rig can cope with whatever you throw at it..

- my twin 6870's still measure up really well against some of the higher 7*** series
- the crossfire set-up is definitely advantageous..

...and, as I said - great value for money!!