Adding a second graphics card to current system

RamenBooko

Junior Member
Apr 17, 2010
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I've been thinking about upgrading the graphics in my system for the onslaught of upcoming PC games. Right now, these are the specs:
Case: Antec Nine Hundred Two
Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-890GPA-UD3H
CPU: AMD 965 BE
GPU: XFX ATI 5770
RAM: 4GB (2x2)
PSU: Antec Earthwatts 650W

So what I was thinking of doing was adding an XFX 6770 and enabling Crossfire that way.

Here are a few questions I have:
Will the performance leap be worth it? A 6770 goes for about $110
Will Crossfire play nice with a dual-monitor setup?
Will the extra heat and power consumption be very noticeable?
How will the mobo's 1 x16 and 1 x8 PCIe slots affect the Crossfire performance?

Cheers for any input, much appreciated

Ninja edited the CPU in there
 
Last edited:

Keysplayr

Elite Member
Jan 16, 2003
21,211
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He has a AMD Phenom II X4 965 BE

OP, haven't you been posting threads about your 5770 artifacting? Were your issues resolved?
 

RamenBooko

Junior Member
Apr 17, 2010
17
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I am the CPU. In all seriousness though, it's an AMD 965 BE.

About the artifacting: I did open an RMA case with XFX but never ended up going through with it. I honestly cannot remember why and it hasn't really been an issue since (or I've gotten too used to it).

So yea, now that you guys know the CPU, what do you think?
 

apoppin

Lifer
Mar 9, 2000
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alienbabeltech.com
I am the CPU. In all seriousness though, it's an AMD 965 BE.

About the artifacting: I did open an RMA case with XFX but never ended up going through with it. I honestly cannot remember why and it hasn't really been an issue since (or I've gotten too used to it).

So yea, now that you guys know the CPU, what do you think?
Go for it if it is cheap enough. You will be getting approximately HD 6950 or so performance when CrossFire scales well.
:thumbsup:
 

apoppin

Lifer
Mar 9, 2000
34,890
1
0
alienbabeltech.com
I could be wrong but isn't it impossible to do crossfire between 5xxx and 6xxx series cards?
The only difference between the HD 6770 and the HD 5770 is the name on the box (a rebrand) and a BIOS update enabling HDMI 1.4 functionality (mostly).

Proof is here:
http://sites.amd.com/PublishingImag.../WebBannerJPEG/AMD_CrossfireX_Chart_1618W.jpg
AMD_CrossfireX_Chart_1618W.jpg
 

RamenBooko

Junior Member
Apr 17, 2010
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So the general consensus is to go for it? Only a $100 investment to improve the look of Battlefield 3 and Skyrim. Sounds like a yay?