1 bridge or 2? 3870 CF

[REVHEAD]

Do I need to run 2 bridges or 1 guys ? is there any differance for these cards?

 

[Bytor]

2. each card comes with one.

 

[hat]

You only need one. Each card has 2 connectors for "spider" crossfire. You can hook up to 4 cards.

 

[REVHEAD]

I am leaning towards the 1 , I think the drivers would promt me for 2 ?

 

[tkpenalty]

I am leaning towards the 1 , I think the drivers would promt me for 2 ?

If you have two, then just use two, if you only have one, then use one... Nothing more

 

[DanishDevil]

Did you order cards that didn't come with bridges?

1 will work. 2 MAY give an increase in performance.

 

[REVHEAD]

Did you order cards that didn't come with bridges?

1 will work. 2 MAY give an increase in performance.

No m8 I have both bridges but only installed the 1

 

[DanishDevil]

Use both.

 

[philbrown23]

yeah both is better I believe 1 will work but I know 2 will

 

[ShadowFold]

Definatly use two connectors, theres a reason theres two slots

 

[Xazax]

Both, i believe many review sits when you look at thier CF setups have both bridges, and when running spider you just Cross the bridges, 1 to each 4/3 cards.

 

[Fitseries3]

only one is needed unless you are using more than 2 cards. why would the 3870x2 only have one connector if you were supposed to use 2?

 

[DanishDevil]

only one is needed unless you are using more than 2 cards. why would the 3870x2 only have one connector if you were supposed to use 2?

Probably to prevent user error of trying to use more than two 3870X2s. ATi's Web Site instructs you to put on both, and honestly, if you've got both, there's no reason not to put both on. It'll make sure you don't lose one of em

 

[Fitseries3]

it's not like the x2 is gonna blow up if you tried to use more than 2. i was just saying that it obviously doesn't need both. the bandwidth of the x2 would be the only card that i would think that would require both.

 

[Xazax]

the X2 doesnt have both because it has has a PCI-E Switch within itself to commicated between the two GPU's on the PCB, so really you only need 1(instead of 2) when connecting it to another X2

 

[W1zzard]

run 3dmark with one, then 3dmark with two and tell us the outcome?

 

[Fitseries3]

but wouldn't you think that the 2 cards trying to communicate with 2 more cards would require more bandwidth than 1 to another?

 

[Solaris17]

but wouldn't you think that the 2 cards trying to communicate with 2 more cards would require more bandwidth than 1 to another?

thats what im thinking....

 

[sneekypeet]

run 3dmark with one, then 3dmark with two and tell us the outcome?

I have to agree that this would end the debate!

 

[hat]

I thought that too^^

 

[niko084]

run 3dmark with one, then 3dmark with two and tell us the outcome?

Indeed, I would think 2 would be the way to go, they work both ways, I have always stuck both on.

 

[piebobs71]

ati show using 2 in there demo

http://ati.amd.com/technology/crossfire/howitworksdemo.html

 

[REVHEAD]

OK I am running two now , but 3dmarks are roughly the same, allmost 17000 , maybe my average has jumped up? I will do some indepth testing this weekend.

these are my system specs

GA-X38-DQ6 F8d Bios
4 Gig G.skill F2-6400CL5 4GBPQ @800 mhz
1600 FSB 9x multi / Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 @3.6ghz
2X Seagate 7200.11 500gb in Raid 0
Creative Xfi Fatal1ty
2 GeCube 3870s in Crossfire
Dell 3007 WFP
Cooler Master Real Power Pro 1000watt PSU
Lian Li PC-A10B

 

[jammy86]

1!!!

 

[DanishDevil]

Sounds good Rev. I have a feeling there won't be any difference, but why NOT have two? You're gonna lose that second one if you don't put it on the cards...