Need Crossfire Advice for 7970 - which 7970 to pair with XFX DD BE?
Last response: in Graphics & Displays
I currently have an XFX Black Edition 7970 that I picked up at launch and have been fairly happy with, but am looking to crossfire my 7970 just for fun in the next few months (after I get a new case and an Ivy Bridge cpu/mobo). I'm really leaning towards getting an MSI Lightning 7970 when it's released, but I've heard from some people that it's not good to mix brands when going crossfire.
I plan to overclock the second card as well - do both cards need to be at the same clock in Crossfire? In other words, will my (assuming I buy it) 7970 Lightning be limited to the same clock speed as my XFX, or will I be able to clock the lightning to its max OC and see benefit?
Also, will availability on a card like that continue, or is it limited release? I can't use it until I get a new case and likely won't use it until I get my new CPU/mobo set up, but I'm worried that if I don't buy it when it's released that I'll miss out on it, similar to how some of the 7970 models have disappeared off newegg.
I plan to overclock the second card as well - do both cards need to be at the same clock in Crossfire? In other words, will my (assuming I buy it) 7970 Lightning be limited to the same clock speed as my XFX, or will I be able to clock the lightning to its max OC and see benefit?
Also, will availability on a card like that continue, or is it limited release? I can't use it until I get a new case and likely won't use it until I get my new CPU/mobo set up, but I'm worried that if I don't buy it when it's released that I'll miss out on it, similar to how some of the 7970 models have disappeared off newegg.
More about : crossfire advice 7970 7970 pair xfx
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Bump - nobody knows if there's a problem crossfiring cards with different brands & overclocks on them?No two cards OC exactly alike even from same vender, make or model. As long as the clocks are stable and the same it'll be okay. I have 2 6990's that are identical and one OC's better than the other. Just the way it is...
as long as it's a 7900 series you're golden. Don't worry it'll work...
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So if the lightning goes to 1250 or 1300 MHz on the core, the overall crossfire performance will be higher than at 1200 MHz (if I just set it to the same max clock as my XFX)?
In other words, 1300 MHz + 1200 MHz is indeed faster than 1200 MHz + 1200 MHz? Had heard from some people that this wouldn't help performance and would just increase microstuttering.
In other words, 1300 MHz + 1200 MHz is indeed faster than 1200 MHz + 1200 MHz? Had heard from some people that this wouldn't help performance and would just increase microstuttering.
Best solution
BigMack70 said:
So if the lightning goes to 1250 or 1300 MHz on the core, the overall crossfire performance will be higher than at 1200 MHz (if I just set it to the same max clock as my XFX)?In other words, 1300 MHz + 1200 MHz is indeed faster than 1200 MHz + 1200 MHz? Had heard from some people that this wouldn't help performance and would just increase microstuttering.
The core and memory clocks have to be the set the same for both cards. If not, a whole slew of problems will arise... most notably driver crashes. Ie, manually set the clocks to match the slower of the two cards. If the XFX highest core clock is 1250 and the lightning 1350 then you'll have to run both at 1250.
MSI AfterBurner automatically does it for you~
RussK1 said:
The core and memory clocks have to be the set the same for both cards. If not, a whole slew of problems will arise... most notably driver crashes. Ie, manually set the clocks to match the slower of the two cards. If the XFX highest core clock is 1250 and the lightning 1350 then you'll have to run both at 1250. MSI AfterBurner automatically does it for you~
http://i1081.photobucket.com/albums/j357/russwood8814/Untitled-4.jpg
Thanks for the info!
Now I have to decide if I'm happy with my 1200 MHz overclock on the XFX core, or if I want to sell it and pick up two of the lightnings...
Probably not worth it, but I'm a little bummed that the VRMs on my XFX can't keep 1.3V stable so that I could push the core clock higher
BigMack70 said:
Thanks for the info!Now I have to decide if I'm happy with my 1200 MHz overclock on the XFX core, or if I want to sell it and pick up two of the lightnings...
Probably not worth it, but I'm a little bummed that the VRMs on my XFX can't keep 1.3V stable so that I could push the core clock higher
You're running 1920x1080 right?... two 7970's @ 1200mhz is insane. I'd be more worried about the Phenom... I don't know if it would keep up with the 7970's.
If you live by a MicroCenter they have the 2500K & 2600K for $179.99 & $279.99 respectively. Buy either of those and get $50 off any P67 or Z68 board. Not bad... and something to consider.
Yeah I'm not doing anything till I get a new case (storm trooper, replacing my cooler master elite 335) and an ivy bridge mobo/cpu (see OP). I want to get a 3770k and a mobo big enough to put 2 of these things in with some space between them. Current mobo would have them jammed right up against one another.
Just excited to crossfire them - it's far more for fun and benchmark scores than for anything practical. I'm sure that the games for which that is practical at 1080p are a couple years away at least.
Just excited to crossfire them - it's far more for fun and benchmark scores than for anything practical. I'm sure that the games for which that is practical at 1080p are a couple years away at least.
BigMack70 said:
Yeah I'm not doing anything till I get a new case (storm trooper, replacing my cooler master elite 335) and an ivy bridge mobo/cpu (see OP). I want to get a 3770k and a mobo big enough to put 2 of these things in with some space between them. Current mobo would have them jammed right up against one another.Just excited to crossfire them - it's far more for fun and benchmark scores than for anything practical. I'm sure that the games for which that is practical at 1080p are a couple years away at least.
Keep us posted... we like actual benchmarks!
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/page-26158_41_8750.ht...
His phenom is plenty able to handle 2 7970's.Im like you have an xfx 7970 black and can get it to 1200 mhz but keep it to between 1000-1100 mhz for gaming.I dunno why you would want or even need to run 1200 mhz with 2 of those.When i get my second one im leaving them set at stock overclock 1000 mhz.thats going to scream through everything even my eyeinfinity setup
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His phenom is plenty able to handle 2 7970's.Im like you have an xfx 7970 black and can get it to 1200 mhz but keep it to between 1000-1100 mhz for gaming.I dunno why you would want or even need to run 1200 mhz with 2 of those.When i get my second one im leaving them set at stock overclock 1000 mhz.thats going to scream through everything even my eyeinfinity setupFor fun! Just to see what it can do
My phenom already can't let a single 7970 breathe in a couple games, so I definitely need a CPU upgrade before crossfiring. Crossfire 7970s would definitely see some benefit, but not nearly as much as it could. I also don't want to crossfire until I get a big enough mobo to have some space between 2 cards - I don't like the idea of slamming another 7970 right up against my current one - it would slaughter my temps and probably make my 1200 MHz OC unstable.
Even a single 7970 isn't really practical for the money... this is all about just tinkering with things and having a "fun" rig that I think is sweeeeeeeeeet
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