CrossfireX: Reference or Aftermarket?

[CasualNinja]

Forum,

i am considering putting CrossfireX 6950's in my build (no flashing to a 6970 if anyone asks), and my question is; would it be better to get 2 referance cards that expel the hot air out the back of the case, but have worse cooling. Or do i go with 2 aftermarket cooled GPU's such as the MSI TWIN FROZR III that will be putting a huge amount of heat into the case.

Thanks

 

[G3ox]

I think it's better to go with reference model cards in crossfire , I have a 2x5770 Sapphire Vaporx with custom cooling and they are blowing hot air on eachother making them really hot.I couldn't even put them next to eachother in the PCIx16 slots because I got almost 95 degrees in load , and I sacrificed speed for beter cooling (one is in a PCIx4 slot on the bottom and one is in PCIx16 slot on top).I would suggest avoiding crossfire and getting the best card you can with aftermarket cooling.

 

[CasualNinja]

Best answer selected by casualninja.