Crossfire Set up?

Johnny5 · Nov 28, 2012, 01:02 PM

I currently have a 6950 and was looking to add another card. Just wondering what would be better to add, 6950, 6970, 7850, or 7950 and 7970?

Trying to improve my framerates in a couple of games.(skyrim and battlefield 3)

brandonwh64 · Nov 28, 2012, 01:04 PM

I have two unlocked 6950's at stock clocks getting around 11K in 3dmark11 and from what I have seen a OCed Ghz edition 7970 gets that much as well so like 680/7970 speeds.

INSTG8R · Nov 28, 2012, 01:06 PM

Well I mean your choices are really a 6950 or a 6970. Of course the 6950 is the right choice. A 6970 would "downclock" to match the 6950.

3870x2 · Nov 28, 2012, 01:07 PM

Add a 7950 and sell that, you should come out of pocket $140. My 7970 overclocks 40% stable on core (850 to 1180), and is amazing in terms of performance, and I only have a pii 945.

I try to avoid crossfire, as it can become a pain in the ass in some circumstances, IE cannot do crossfire in windowed mode, and then multiple monitors sometimes has fits. AMD drivers have enough problems keeping up without adding crossfire into the mix.

brandonwh64 · Nov 28, 2012, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3870x2

Add a 7950 and sell that, you should come out of pocket $140. My 7970 overclocks 40% stable on core (850 to 1180), and is amazing in terms of performance, and I only have a pii 945.

I try to avoid crossfire, as it can become a pain in the ass in some circumstances, IE cannot do crossfire in windowed mode, and then multiple monitors sometimes has fits. AMD drivers have enough problems keeping up without adding crossfire into the mix.

I really haven't had an issue except like older games and arma2 but as well all know arma 2 is a piss poor optimized game.

RCoon · Nov 28, 2012, 01:24 PM

Until you're hitting the top end of the scales on current gpus (ie 7950, 7970, 670, 680) i would get a single higher end card. Once you're at those top scales, then think about xfire/sli

brandonwh64 · Nov 28, 2012, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCoon

Until you're hitting the top end of the scales on current gpus (ie 7950, 7970, 670, 680) i would get a single higher end card. Once you're at those top scales, then think about xfire/sli

This kinda makes no sense. Its all according on his situation cause you gotta think, He would have to sale his current card to help cover the cost of a newer higher end card in all the while he could pick up someones second hand card for Xfire and make just as much if not a little more power. Its all about what he is willing to do to achieve his goals.

Jack1n · Nov 28, 2012, 01:30 PM

2x6950 are faster then any single GPU out there,but i would only suggest that if you could get that second 6950 dirt cheap,if not sell it and get a 7950 which will also give quite a few games with it (can use or sell).

RCoon · Nov 28, 2012, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brandonwh64

This kinda makes no sense. Its all according on his situation cause you gotta think, He would have to sale his current card to help cover the cost of a newer higher end card in all the while he could pick up someones second hand card for Xfire and make just as much if not a little more power. Its all about what he is willing to do to achieve his goals.

It is true, but I dont see selling his 6950 as much of an issue, i didnt think it was too difficult to sell off a card on here, i managed to sell off my two 570's and cover the cost of 2 7950's by selling a couple of the games. I'd rather be within the current generation for crossfire than cling on by crossfiring the previous gen. That is just my opinion, but as far as he is concerned, i think i would advise him to stick with what he knows/is comfortable with.

JrRacinFan · Nov 28, 2012, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by INSTG8R

A 6970 would "downclock" to match the 6950.

No it wouldn't.

INSTG8R · Nov 28, 2012, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JrRacinFan

No it wouldn't.

You sure about that? The "rule" always was it would "match" the lowest card. Unless they made some changes that I was unaware of. Now not knowing off the top of my head whether the 6950 and 6970 share the same clocks speeds of course I would be off on that.

Zubasa · Nov 28, 2012, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack1n

2x6950 are faster then any single GPU out there,but i would only suggest that if you could get that second 6950 dirt cheap,if not sell it and get a 7950 which will also give quite a few games with it (can use or sell).

The 7970/680 is will out-perform 2x6950 once you factor in crossfire scaling.

Quote:

Originally Posted by INSTG8R

You sure about that? The "rule" always was it would "match" the lowest card. Unless they made some changes that I was unaware of. Now not knowing off the top of my head whether the 6950 and 6970 share the same clocks speeds of course I would be off on that.

They changed the down-clocking a long time ago. Now both cards will run at full speed.
The 6970 will have to wait for the 6950 to render but that is another question.

the54thvoid · Nov 28, 2012, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack1n

2x6950 are faster then any single GPU out there,but i would only suggest that if you could get that second 6950 dirt cheap,if not sell it and get a 7950 which will also give quite a few games with it (can use or sell).

Way off I'm afraid. Given a sample game (BF3) a single 6970 gets 40fps. Crossfired wouldn't get more than what the single GHz 7970 gets. And that's me comparing a 6970, you're saying a 6950 crossfire is faster than any single gpu. The 7970's (and 680's) really are that good.

exodusprime1337 · Nov 28, 2012, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack1n

2x6950 are faster then any single GPU out there,but i would only suggest that if you could get that second 6950 dirt cheap,if not sell it and get a 7950 which will also give quite a few games with it (can use or sell).

im sorry, but no it is not. one of my 7970's wins in all but 2 of the benchmarks i ran against the 2 6970's i also owned. 1 7970 for me was faster, perhaps not by much, but definately fast. I have 2 7970's now and i can't 'believe the performance i'm getting, it's mind blowing

drdeathx · Nov 28, 2012, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by exodusprime1337

im sorry, but no it is not. one of my 7970's wins in all but 2 of the benchmarks i ran against the 2 6970's i also owned. 1 7970 for me was faster, perhaps not by much, but definately fast. I have 2 7970's now and i can't 'believe the performance i'm getting, it's mind blowing

Ohh yea? My dad can beat up your dad! LOL

exodusprime1337 · Nov 28, 2012, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drdeathx

Ohh yea? My dad can beat up your dad! LOL

um... k?

Johnny5 · Nov 28, 2012, 07:30 PM

So 2 6950 is going to be slower than a single 7970?

the54thvoid · Nov 28, 2012, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny5

So 2 6950 is going to be slower than a single 7970?

Yes and in games where crossfire isn't optimal - very much worse.

manofthem · Nov 28, 2012, 08:12 PM

I went from 2 6950s to a 7970 and I had no complaints at all. I say go for that! Even at 2560.1400 a single 7970 runs like a champ

jasper1605 · Nov 28, 2012, 08:18 PM

Single card set up is always preferable to a dual card set up. Less heat, power draw, compatibility issues. If the speeds are close to the same and you can swing it $$ wise, I'd always recommend getting the stronger solo card.

Nov 28, 2012, 01:02 PM	#1
Johnny5 Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 204 (0.09/day) Thanks: 38 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts System Specs	Crossfire Set up? I currently have a 6950 and was looking to add another card. Just wondering what would be better to add, 6950, 6970, 7850, or 7950 and 7970? Trying to improve my framerates in a couple of games.(skyrim and battlefield 3)

Processor:	2600k @ 4.2
Motherboard:	GIGABYTE GA-Z68P-DS3
Cooling:	AC Freezer 7 Pro
Memory:	8GB G.SKILL DDR3 1600
Video Card:	6950
Hard Disk:	128g SSD
CRT/LCD Model:	Samsung 2370
Case:	Antec 900
Sound Card:	Audigy 2
PSU:	Corsair 850
Software:	Window 7 64bit

Nov 28, 2012, 01:04 PM	#2
brandonwh64 Addicted to Bacon and StarCrunches!!! Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Chatsworth, GA Posts: 13,560 (10.05/day) Thanks: 2,138 Thanked 5,338 Times in 3,695 Posts System Specs	I have two unlocked 6950's at stock clocks getting around 11K in 3dmark11 and from what I have seen a OCed Ghz edition 7970 gets that much as well so like 680/7970 speeds. __________________ Cruncher's: All GPU's GPU's: 7970 3GB Unlocked = 8 Threads 5770 1GB OCed = 2 Threads

System Name:	The StarCrunch Defender!
Processor:	I7 2600K @ 4.5ghz 1.32V
Motherboard:	Gigabyte Z68X-UD3H-B3
Cooling:	Corsair A70 Push/Pull
Memory:	G-Skill Ripjaws 2x4GB DDR3 1866mhz
Video Card:	Gigabyte 7970 3GB Reference Card at boost clocks
Hard Disk:	2x 500GB WD Blue Raid 0 / 1TB WD Black
Optical Drive:	Samsung DVD/R/RW SATA
CRT/LCD Model:	ViewSonic VG2227wm 1080P
Case:	NZXT Tempest 410 Elite
Sound Card:	Onboard Realtek (Azalia)
PSU:	Corsair 750TX
Software:	Windows 7 Home X64

Nov 28, 2012, 01:06 PM	#3
INSTG8R Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Lost in Norway Posts: 2,581 (0.83/day) Thanks: 934 Thanked 378 Times in 320 Posts System Specs	Well I mean your choices are really a 6950 or a 6970. Of course the 6950 is the right choice. A 6970 would "downclock" to match the 6950. __________________ Sys. Specs. i7 2600K@4.6\|ASUS P67 Sabertooth\|2x4096 Corsair Vengence 1600 \|Sapphire HD7970 OC\|WD Caviar Black 6.0Gbps 1TB x2@RAID 0\|SB X-Fi Fatality Pro\|TT Toughpower 1.2kW\|TT Kandalf L.C.S.\|Acer V243H 24" 1920x1080\|Logitech G25\|Logitech G500\|Logitech G19\|Saitek X-52 Pro\|TrackIR4 w/Trackclip Pro

System Name:	Hellbox 2.1(same case new guts)
Processor:	i7 2600k@4.6(1.36V max)
Motherboard:	Asus P67 Sabertooth
Cooling:	TT Kandalf L.C.S.(Water/Air)AC Cuplex Kryos CPU Block
Memory:	2x4096 Corsair Vengance 1600
Video Card:	Sapphire HD7970 OC Edition(1000/1450)
Hard Disk:	WD Caviar Black SATA 3 1TB x2 RAID 0
Optical Drive:	LG GSA-4166B DVD+RW DL/DVD-RAM
CRT/LCD Model:	Acer V243H 24" 1920x1080
Case:	TT Kandalf L.C.S.
Sound Card:	X-Fi Fatality Pro Champion on Creative/SBS 650s
PSU:	TT Toughpower 1200W
Software:	Win7 Pro x64

Nov 28, 2012, 01:07 PM	#4
3870x2 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Joplin, Mo Posts: 4,540 (2.38/day) Thanks: 175 Thanked 691 Times in 557 Posts System Specs	Add a 7950 and sell that, you should come out of pocket $140. My 7970 overclocks 40% stable on core (850 to 1180), and is amazing in terms of performance, and I only have a pii 945. I try to avoid crossfire, as it can become a pain in the ass in some circumstances, IE cannot do crossfire in windowed mode, and then multiple monitors sometimes has fits. AMD drivers have enough problems keeping up without adding crossfire into the mix. __________________ A+, N+, S+, MCSE. Heatware STEAM ID Name: furi0nst0rmrage (0s are zeros) M O D E R N\|\|W A R F A R E \|\| 2 \|\| CLUBHOUSE // TEAM “The amount exaltation of the processor cores can brings amazing floating” -sparkle Last edited by 3870x2; Nov 28, 2012 at 01:15 PM.

System Name:	Ultrabeast GX2
Processor:	Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 @ 4.0GHZ 24/7
Motherboard:	Gigabit P35-DS3L
Cooling:	Rosewill RX24, Dual Slot Vid, Fan control
Memory:	2x1gb 1066mhz@850MHZ DDR2
Video Card:	9800GX2 @ 690/1040
Hard Disk:	750/250/250/200 all WD 7200
Optical Drive:	BD/DVDRW, DVDRW/CDRW
CRT/LCD Model:	24" DCLCD 2ms 1200p
Case:	Apevia
Sound Card:	7.1 Digital on-board, 5.1 digital hooked up
PSU:	700W RAIDMAXXX SLI
Software:	winXP Pro
Benchmarks:	17749 3DM06

Nov 28, 2012, 01:24 PM	#6
RCoon Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Grantham, Lincolnshire, UK Posts: 1,201 (3.05/day) Thanks: 106 Thanked 407 Times in 292 Posts System Specs	Until you're hitting the top end of the scales on current gpus (ie 7950, 7970, 670, 680) i would get a single higher end card. Once you're at those top scales, then think about xfire/sli __________________ "So many times I wanted to move about (make poop but can't leave the game because it's online)" - Underworld

System Name:	White 'Coon - Hudson File Server - Zombie Procyon
Processor:	Delidded i5 3570k 4.4ghz - AMD Phenom x6 1055t - AMD 8350
Motherboard:	MSI z77 GD65 - Asus Evo M4 - Asus Sabertooth 990fx
Cooling:	Corsair H100 2x120mm 2x200mm - CM Hyper 212 Evo Push/Pull - Zalman White Knight
Memory:	Crucial Ballistix 1866 16GB - Corsair XMS 3 1333 16GB - Kingston Beast 1600 8GB
Video Card:	2 x 7950 XFX DD 3GB 1Ghz 1350mhz - 2 x GTX275 XFX (Arctic Cooler) - Gigabyte Windforce GTX 570
Hard Disk:	Corsair Force 3 120gb\|2 x 2TB Seagate Barracuda 6Gbps - OCZ Agility 3 60GB\|WD Blue 500GB - 2 x 500GB
Optical Drive:	Samsung LiteScribe 22x - None
CRT/LCD Model:	BenQ XL2411T 144hz \| BenQ G2420HD 60hz - Shared - Dell 24"
Case:	NZXT Phantom Full - AVP K1 300 - Antec LANBoy Air
Sound Card:	Asus Xonar D2X 7.1 - Onboard - Onboard
PSU:	Corsair HX1050 Gold - OCZ ZS 650w Bronze - OCZ ZS 650w Bronze
Software:	Win 7 Ultimate 64 - Win 7 Ultimate 64 - Win 7 Ultimate 64

Nov 28, 2012, 01:30 PM	#8
Jack1n Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Israel Posts: 616 (2.77/day) Thanks: 32 Thanked 128 Times in 121 Posts System Specs	2x6950 are faster then any single GPU out there,but i would only suggest that if you could get that second 6950 dirt cheap,if not sell it and get a 7950 which will also give quite a few games with it (can use or sell). __________________

Processor:	Intel Core i5 3570K @ 4.5Ghz
Motherboard:	Gigabyte Z77X UD5H
Cooling:	Antec H20 920
Memory:	Corsair Dominator Platinum DDR3 2x4GB 2000mhz 9-11-10-24 CR-1
Video Card:	Sapphire AMD Radeon 7950 1050/1400 1075mv(1043 after V-drop)
Hard Disk:	WD Velociraptor 150GB/Hitachi Deskstar 7K3 2TB
Optical Drive:	Samsung DVD Writer
CRT/LCD Model:	Samsung T220P 1920x1200
Case:	Coolermaster 690
Sound Card:	Creative X-FI Titanium + Sennheiser PC360
PSU:	Corsair TX850 (2009 version)
Software:	Win 7 Ultimate 64bit SP1

System Name:	Mine; Hers; Our HTPC; NAS Box
Processor:	i7 2600k : i3 2120 : Celeron G440 : P4 2.6Ghz Nwood
Motherboard:	Asrock Z68 Extreme4 : Asus P8P67 Pro : Asrock H61M/U3S3 : Dell
Cooling:	CM 212+ w/ scythe jyuni : Stock : Stock :Stock
Memory:	2x4GB Ripjawx 1866 cl9 : 2x2GB Corsair 1600 cl9 : 2x2GB Ridgebacks 1066 cl5 : 768MB PC3200
Video Card:	Palit GTX560Ti 2Gb : XFX HD5770 : Integrated : Integrated
Hard Disk:	2x 750GB Raid 0 + Maxtor 500GB : WD Black 1TB+Corsair Nova 2 64GB : Toshiba 750GB : Leftover ATA133
Optical Drive:	Lite-On DVD-RW : Samsung DVD-RW : None : None
CRT/LCD Model:	AOC 21" : AOC 20" : Philips 42" HDTV : Headless
Case:	Rocketfish : CM HAF 912 : Bgears Cube Style case : Dell
Sound Card:	X-Fi Xtremegamer : Onboard : Onboard : Onboard
PSU:	Tt 750W Modular : Antec 500W Earthwatts : Corsair CX430 : Dell's OEM

Processor:	AMD FX-8150
Motherboard:	MSI 990FXA-GD80
Cooling:	Noctua NH-D14
Memory:	Team Xtreeem Dark 1600 @1866 4GBx2
Video Card:	PowerColor HD7970 3GB V3
Hard Disk:	OCZ Vertex 3 120G + Max IOPS 120G + Seagate 7200.12 250GB 2 Raid 0 + Samsung HD103UJ 1TB 2 RAID 0
Optical Drive:	HP 1260i 24x Multi-Drive
CRT/LCD Model:	Samsung SyncMaster S24B370
Case:	SilverStone Raven RV01
PSU:	Corsair TX850W
Software:	Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit

System Name:	Dulie.
Processor:	i7 3930k @ 4.2GHz
Motherboard:	Asus P9 X79 PRO
Cooling:	Dual Loop with 2 D5's, gpu on 120.4 rad, cpu on 120.2
Memory:	16Gb 1600MHz Corsair Vengeance
Video Card:	GTX Titan @ 1.5GHz
Hard Disk:	2x120GB SSD - Corsair Force Series 3, OCZ Vertex II
Optical Drive:	Removed for radiator
CRT/LCD Model:	Dell Ultrasharp 27" (2560x1440)
Case:	Silverstone TJ07 (modded black interior)
Sound Card:	On Board
PSU:	Seasonic Platinum 1000W
Software:	W7

System Name:	obsidian is big and black--- no pun intended
Processor:	Intel i7-2700k @ 4.8Ghz 100x48 1.40v
Motherboard:	Asrock Extreme7 Gen3 z68
Cooling:	XSPC raystorm, XSPC rx360, swiftech mcp655b, XSPC dual bay res w/mcp655b mount
Memory:	8GB G.Skill sniper ddr3 1866 8,8,8,20,1t 1.55v
Video Card:	Diamond 7970 @ 1200/1675 in crossfire
Hard Disk:	1x wd velocirapter 150 for os, 2xwd caviarblack 1tb in raid 0 for everything else
Optical Drive:	samsung writemaster dvdr sata
CRT/LCD Model:	LG 27" LED 1920x1080, samsung syncmaster 2494 24" lcd
Case:	Corsair Obsidian 800D full tower(effin awsome case)
Sound Card:	onboard
PSU:	coolermaster silent pro 1000watt!!!
Software:	Windows 8 pro
Benchmarks:	i'm working on that

System Name:	Halloween Boo!
Processor:	Intel Core i7 3770K
Motherboard:	Gigabyte Z77-Up7
Cooling:	Custom Water/ Thermalchill TA 120.3/ Swiftech Apogeee XT/ MCP655/ Swiftech M icrores/ XSPC RX 240
Memory:	16G G.Skill trident 2400MHz
Video Card:	3 x Radeon 7970
Hard Disk:	OCZ Revo Drive 240G
Optical Drive:	Asus
CRT/LCD Model:	24 inch Viewsonic
Case:	Phobia WayCoolIt Test Bench
PSU:	Nexus 1100 watt

Nov 28, 2012, 07:30 PM	#17
Johnny5 Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 204 (0.09/day) Thanks: 38 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts System Specs	So 2 6950 is going to be slower than a single 7970?

Nov 28, 2012, 08:12 PM	#19
manofthem Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: WPB, FL Posts: 3,323 (3.86/day) Thanks: 2,066 Thanked 2,502 Times in 1,272 Posts System Specs	I went from 2 6950s to a 7970 and I had no complaints at all. I say go for that! Even at 2560.1400 a single 7970 runs like a champ __________________ The Cruncher's Challenge Super Huge Game Giveaway WCG-TPU Mother's Day Challenge My Heatware "P.S. Why buy from Newegg...when you can buy from Sneeky!" -LiNKiN

System Name:	Manofthem-PC [] Manofthem-PC2
Processor:	i7 2600k @ 4.5 [] i7 3770k
Motherboard:	Asus P8P67 Pro [] MSI Z68GD55
Cooling:	Water [] Air
Memory:	Samsung 8GB 1866 [] Samsung 8GB 1866
Video Card:	2x 7970's [] 7870 LE
Hard Disk:	2x 830's 256GB / 1.5TB / 2TB [] 500GB
CRT/LCD Model:	Shimian Achieva QH270-Lite [] Acer 27HL
Case:	CM Haf 932 [] Blawkhawk Advanced
Sound Card:	SB X-Fi Titanium [] Onboard
PSU:	Corsair 1000HX [] XFX 550Pro
Software:	Windows 8 Pro x64 [] Windows 7 Ult x64

Nov 28, 2012, 08:18 PM	#20
jasper1605 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,178 (0.91/day) Thanks: 356 Thanked 228 Times in 191 Posts System Specs	Single card set up is always preferable to a dual card set up. Less heat, power draw, compatibility issues. If the speeds are close to the same and you can swing it $$ wise, I'd always recommend getting the stronger solo card. __________________ 1 in 8 people in the world do not have access to clean water. 20 Liters is trying to do something to change 750,000,000 people's lives. Click to help - Love life and live a life of love - If you would like prayer for anything going on in your life or someone else's send me a PM My Heat 11-0-0 My Sig Rig Pics -Updated 11/1/10 TPU Eyefinity Club

System Name:	Vegnagun
Processor:	i5 750 @ 3810 MHz 200.7 X 19
Motherboard:	Asus P7P55D Deluxe
Cooling:	Noctua NH-U12P SE 2
Memory:	2X2bg GEIL 2000 MHz 9-9-9-24
Video Card:	Radeon 5850 Toxic 950-1355-1.088v
Hard Disk:	WD Caviar Black 640gb
Optical Drive:	lite on DH-20A6S
CRT/LCD Model:	5760x1200 eyefinity Topaz S and Gateway FPD2485Ws
Case:	Azza Solano 1000
Sound Card:	10.1 on mobo :)
PSU:	Seventeam ST-850ZAF
Software:	Windows 7 pro on college student discount :)
Benchmarks:	top 1% in the world for weekly score in Killzone 2 :)

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
5770 crossfire set running @ 8.x ?	Rapidfire48	AMD / ATI	18	Apr 15, 2010 04:57 PM
Set overclock to both cards? (Crossfire)	ArkaneFox	Overclocking & Cooling	2	Oct 31, 2008 03:13 PM
Checkerboard with crossfire set-up	DeadZombie	Graphics Cards	5	Oct 1, 2006 04:25 AM
Crossfire? How do I set this up?	W2hCYK	Graphics Cards	22	Sep 22, 2006 02:26 AM
Watercooled system for x1800 crossfire set up	DRDNA	Graphics Cards	5	Jun 1, 2006 04:11 PM