Will Each of 2 Crossfire(d) Cards Run Cooler?

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cybermap

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Sep 12, 2014
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Hi!

I currently am using a single HD6950 and find that although it handles my graphics needs well enough, it runs Hot.

If I add a second HD6950 and install both cards in Crossfire mode, will each individual card run noticeably cooler - because they are "dividing the workload" between them?

Any insight will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
 
Solution
dovah-chan
Well both cards will be under a slightly lesser load but not many programs are optimized for two or more GPUs. Generally installing two weaker GPUs can equate to a stronger single card but they both have to share the same airflow. You won't notice a huge increase in temperature, maybe a degree or two. If you have the money and you can find a 6950 I would go for it. But a single 7970 (R9 280X) is still stronger than two 6950's (because of GCN being much more efficient than VLIW5). It would be more quiet as well because you won't have two cards revving up in the same case.
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cybermap

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Sep 12, 2014
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Thanks, dovah-chan. Umm...I'm feeling pretty ignorant about all this. Can anyone help me understand how this works?

I notice that my single HD6950 runs hotter when I'm doing more graphics-intensive work, such as streaming video. If adding a 2nd HD6950 in Crossfire mode won't lessen the workload on each card (causing them each to run cooler...BTW, I have a very roomy case with a lot of airflow), I'm wondering what the primary benefits are of running more than one card in Crossfire mode.

Isn't hooking up 2 cards in Crossfire similar to installing 1 more powerful card? ...And shouldn't a more powerful card handle more graphics-intensive work "with less stress" and run cooler? ...Just as my single card runs cooler when I'm not doing graphics-intensive work?

Again, any insight will be most appreciated.

Thanks!

 
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dovah-chan

dovah-chan

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Feb 5, 2014
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Well both cards will be under a slightly lesser load but not many programs are optimized for two or more GPUs. Generally installing two weaker GPUs can equate to a stronger single card but they both have to share the same airflow. You won't notice a huge increase in temperature, maybe a degree or two. If you have the money and you can find a 6950 I would go for it. But a single 7970 (R9 280X) is still stronger than two 6950's (because of GCN being much more efficient than VLIW5). It would be more quiet as well because you won't have two cards revving up in the same case.
 
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