Hey guys! im trying to set up a crossfire, any tips or instructions?

[jdo602roy]

Windows: Windows XP5.1 (Build 2600) Service Pack 2
Internet Explorer: 7.0.5730.13
Memory (RAM): 2047 MB
CPU: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU E6750 @ 2.66GHz
CPU Speed: 3032.0 MHz
Sound card: Realtek HD Audio output
Display Adapters: ATI Radeon HD 3800 Series | ATI Radeon HD 3800 Series | NetMeeting driver | RDPDD Chained DD
Screen Resolution: 1024 X 768 - 32 bit
:
Network Adapters: Hamachi Network Interface | Marvell Yukon 88E8052 PCI-E ASF Gigabit Ethernet Controller - Packet Scheduler Miniport
CD / DVD Drives: D: RC7449Z NCA904E | E: PIONEER DVD RW DVR-109 | H: RC7449Z NCA904E | I: RC7449Z NCA904E | J: RC7449Z NCA904E
:
COM Ports: COM1
LPT Ports:
Mouse: 3 Button Wheel Mouse Present
Hard Disks: C: 19.5GB | G: 213.3GB
Hard Disks - Free: C: 1.2GB | G: 10.9GB
USB Controllers: 6 host controllers.
Firewire (1394): 1 host controllers.
:
Manufacturer: Phoenix Technologies, LTD
Product Make:
:
AC Power Status: OnLine
BIOS Info: ATAT COMPATIBLE 121806 RS600 42302e31
Motherboard: DFI Corp,LTD LP UT ICFX3200-T2R

This is my spec and i want to set up a crossfire with this card:
Palit Radeon HD 3870 512MB GDDR3 PCI-E DVI-I HDMI Video Card

 

[erocker]

What motherboard and power supply are you using?

 

[jdo602roy]

What motherboard and power supply are you using?

my power supply is: Sonata III 500
and my motherboard is : DFI Corp,LTD LP UT ICFX3200-T2R

 

[NeoCrisis]

have you bought a second card already? If not there really no reason for you to go CF if you're playing at 1024 X 768res.

 

[erocker]

The power supply will not work with 3870's in CrossFire.

 

[broke]

sure it can

http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/foru...ntec-earthwatts-500w-power-supply-review.html

don't underestimate quality over quantity

and it should also be noted that he's getting the card for 65$ after rebate. One problem that does come to mind however is that his mobo only supports 8X + 8X at pci-e 1.0 speeds, so he'll be tight on bandwidth.

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=31195&promoid=1008

 

[erocker]

http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/foru...ntec-earthwatts-500w-power-supply-review.html

don't underestimate quality over quantity

Ah yes, I was thinking of the SmartPower's that used to come with Antec Sonata's. Still 500 watts is going to be cutting it close to say the least. Doesn't the 3870, especially two of them require more than 17A on the 12v rail? I would think so.

 

[mullered07]

Ah yes, I was thinking of the SmartPower's that used to come with Antec Sonata's. Still 500 watts is going to be cutting it close to say the least. Doesn't the 3870, especially two of them require more than 17A on the 12v rail? I would think so.

theres 2x17a 12v rails

and to the op, go HERE follow the instructions and you should be set to go

 

[broke]

it will def. be close on both the psu and mobo end, but doable I would presume. the real question I think is, if the performance increase is worth the 65$

 

[DrunkenMafia]

Windows: Windows XP5.1 (Build 2600) Service Pack 2
Internet Explorer: 7.0.5730.13
Memory (RAM): 2047 MB
CPU: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU E6750 @ 2.66GHz
CPU Speed: 3032.0 MHz
Sound card: Realtek HD Audio output
Display Adapters: ATI Radeon HD 3800 Series | ATI Radeon HD 3800 Series | NetMeeting driver | RDPDD Chained DD
Screen Resolution: 1024 X 768 - 32 bit
:
Network Adapters: Hamachi Network Interface | Marvell Yukon 88E8052 PCI-E ASF Gigabit Ethernet Controller - Packet Scheduler Miniport
CD / DVD Drives: D: RC7449Z NCA904E | E: PIONEER DVD RW DVR-109 | H: RC7449Z NCA904E | I: RC7449Z NCA904E | J: RC7449Z NCA904E
:
COM Ports: COM1
LPT Ports:
Mouse: 3 Button Wheel Mouse Present
Hard Disks: C: 19.5GB | G: 213.3GB
Hard Disks - Free: C: 1.2GB | G: 10.9GB
USB Controllers: 6 host controllers.
Firewire (1394): 1 host controllers.
:
Manufacturer: Phoenix Technologies, LTD
Product Make:
:
AC Power Status: OnLine
BIOS Info: ATAT COMPATIBLE 121806 RS600 42302e31
Motherboard: DFI Corp,LTD LP UT ICFX3200-T2R

This is my spec and i want to set up a crossfire with this card:
Palit Radeon HD 3870 512MB GDDR3 PCI-E DVI-I HDMI Video Card

The DFI is a good board. All be it quite tricky to get on top of.

This is not really related to crossfire but -

Which one of those partitions has your o/s on it???

It says there that you only have 1.2gb free on your c: drive. If that is what your xp is on you really need to free up some space on there.

If you are gaming at 1024 x 768 (same as your desktop) then even 1 HD3870 is to much let alone 2. What size monitor do you have??

Follow that link provided above and you should be ok

Why no Service pack 3 on your xp??

 

[mikek75]

ATI's recommendation for crossfired 3870s is 38A (system-wide). That PSU may have two rails, but they are independant (AFAIK), and since ATX specs require that 12v2 is dedicated to the CPU that leaves one rail to power the two cards, HDD's ,ODD's etc. On 17A? I wouldn't risk it, but its your kit at the end of the day.

 

[broke]

damn thats pretty conclusive mikek, not to be the devils advocate or anything but these guys claim that the psu was performing even under 577W of load.

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/526

 

[mikek75]

Thats the trouble with reviews. Sure, it may be able to put out that much when brand new. But running it at full (over?) capacity for a longer period would be asking for trouble IMO.....And what other components are going to be at risk IF and when it does let go. Given the price of the Corsair VX550 (single 41A rail) I'd opt for that at the very least.

 

[spearman914]

Like someone said about, ur running at 1024 x 768. And in CF, performance increase will be unoticable and will only drain more watts from the PSU.

 

[broke]

hmm you hear that jdo602roy, it looks like you might have to pass up on the deal if you wanna play if safe

 

[broke]

"performance increase will be unnoticeable " uhh common noticeable scaling does occurs even at 1024X768 http://www.legitreviews.com/article/605/7/
and look here lol http://www.legitreviews.com/article/605/9/

and look here a crossfire setup with a quad core only consumes 305W.

http://www.legitreviews.com/article/605/13/

In case you guys are wondering, I'm persisting cuz this might be the last time he'll have the opportunity to crossfire at the clearance price, injecting some more life into his rig.

but I'm far from the most knowledgeable guy here

 

[mullered07]

"performance increase will be unoticable " uhh common noticeable scaling does occurs even at 1024X768 http://www.legitreviews.com/article/605/7/
and look here lol http://www.legitreviews.com/article/605/9/

and look here a crossifre setup with a quadcore only consumes 305W.

http://www.legitreviews.com/article/605/13/

your gettin a thanks for that post, very informative and confirmed what i knew that crossfire does scale even at lower resolution

tbh im surprised from my experiences how well it scales in most games, and 80% wouldnt be too far wrong

 

[broke]

poor jdo602roy, he's probably so confused right now

 

[jdo602roy]

wow thnx guys!
this has all been helpful (even though i probably didn't understand half of it)
i'll take everyone's comment into consideration

1 question, is there any chance that this modification will wreck my computer?
if there isnt any, i think i'll give it a try and if it doesn't work, i'll use it in my next upgrade