PSU & Crossfire question

YnHDaRkMaN · Aug 20, 2011, 11:57 PM

Hi guys!
Well, recently I've got a new HD 5770 to add to my computer (it was an amazing offer and the temptation was too great to resist

) for Crossfire. As you can see in my sig, I've an Antec Basiq 500W and I was wondering if it would be enough to run two 5770s in Crossfire (its 3 years old now).

Should I go for it and hope it will handle my whole PC with Crossfire?

Also, since both cards are XFX, I haven't got a bridge, but I've read there's a software mode for Crossfire... is there a lot of difference between physical and software mode in performance?

Thanks in advance

IvanV · Aug 21, 2011, 12:55 AM

I googled your PSU and it seems to be a decent one, but I'm not sure if it will work. The total amount of power it can deliver should be enough, but it's got two 12V rails that are rated 18A each and it won't be possible to load them evenly (the first one is CPU only, the second one is everything else), so it's going to be a tight fit. You may give it a go though, it doesn't seem to be the kind of unit that will go up in smoke when abused.

As for bridge-less crossfire, I thought it was only possible for lower end cards and you should be able to pick up a bridge relatively cheaply anyway.

YnHDaRkMaN · Aug 22, 2011, 08:05 AM

After reading this, I'm pretty sure I'll buy a new PSU since I need to order a bridge for CrossfireX as well :P Would the Corsair GS600 be enough for my needs or should I go for the GS700? Here were I live there's only $200 mexican pesos of difference between them (around $16 USD)

IvanV · Aug 22, 2011, 09:49 AM

The GS600 should work well for you, it's got a single 12V rail that can deliver over 500W, so there shouldn't be any problems.

Judas · Aug 23, 2011, 04:49 PM

the 5770's i find are probably the most energy efficient of the series .. in terms of power to performance ratio..

But yes... i would agree that your 500watt PSU would be heavily loaded... it may work... but i wouldn't recommend it.

I've recently setup a Coolermaster 600watt PSU which came with a single 12v rail and 2x pci-ex 8 pin connectors, the 12v rail i beleive was a total of 45 amps which puts it very close to the 600watt rating (540watts on 12v rail alone), it powered 2x Nvidia Geforce cards that draw a little more then that 5770's....

YnHDaRkMaN · Aug 23, 2011, 07:15 PM

Thanks a lot for your replies guys, I've ordered the Corsair GS600, I'm expecting to have it by next Monday or so, along with the CrossfireX bridge. Here's some rep for you

PS. I'll see if I can get some pics when installed

YnHDaRkMaN · Aug 26, 2011, 07:29 PM

The GS600 arrived yesterday! I've installed it last night along with 2 more sticks of 2GB RAM, having a total of 8GB now

Also, it's the first time I've ever did some cable management, and even if it's limited in the Antec Three Hundred I have, I'm satisfied with what I was able to do

Now I'm only waiting for the XFX bridges to arrive to Crossfire my 5770s (will take pics then

)

YnHDaRkMaN · Aug 30, 2011, 06:10 PM

One of my coworkers had a CrossfireX bridge to spare and I installed the two 5770s yesterday, the results are AWESOME, it literally doubled my score in the Heaven Benchmark, and I can now play Crysis 2 on Ultra

As promised, here are some pics

It isn't the best cable management you'll see but I'm satisfied with what I was able to do

Thanks a lot for all your help!

Judas · Aug 30, 2011, 06:33 PM

yup... like i have mentioned... the 5770's are the best bang for the buck and they have this strange ability to scale like crazy in crossfire/tri xfire

Tyrsonswood · Aug 30, 2011, 06:50 PM

I like mine......

Congrats om the new card.

Takaharu · Aug 30, 2011, 07:11 PM

Can I just point out that on those graphics cards it says £0

Screw cable management, you've got a decent gaming rig

YnHDaRkMaN · Aug 30, 2011, 08:24 PM

Thanks for your comments, here's hoping that I'll be able to run BF3 in Very High settings!

Aug 20, 2011, 11:57 PM	#1
YnHDaRkMaN Image of the invisible... Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mexico Posts: 199 Rep Power: 33 System Specs	PSU & Crossfire question Hi guys! Well, recently I've got a new HD 5770 to add to my computer (it was an amazing offer and the temptation was too great to resist ) for Crossfire. As you can see in my sig, I've an Antec Basiq 500W and I was wondering if it would be enough to run two 5770s in Crossfire (its 3 years old now). Should I go for it and hope it will handle my whole PC with Crossfire? Also, since both cards are XFX, I haven't got a bridge, but I've read there's a software mode for Crossfire... is there a lot of difference between physical and software mode in performance? Thanks in advance __________________ Current rig specs: Phenom II x4 945 3.0GHz Asus M4A78T-E Mobo 4x2GB DDR3 1333MHz Dual-Channel XFX HD 5770 1GB Single Slot Antec Three Hundred Case Corsair GS600 Acer LCD 19'' Widescreen 1TB Seagate Barracuda

Aug 21, 2011, 12:55 AM	#2
IvanV HH Assassin Guild Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 5,914 Rep Power: 333 System Specs	Re: PSU & Crossfire question I googled your PSU and it seems to be a decent one, but I'm not sure if it will work. The total amount of power it can deliver should be enough, but it's got two 12V rails that are rated 18A each and it won't be possible to load them evenly (the first one is CPU only, the second one is everything else), so it's going to be a tight fit. You may give it a go though, it doesn't seem to be the kind of unit that will go up in smoke when abused. As for bridge-less crossfire, I thought it was only possible for lower end cards and you should be able to pick up a bridge relatively cheaply anyway. __________________ If anyone has Portal 2 and hasn't played the co-op and wants to do me a favour, let me know (PM me or whatever).

Aug 22, 2011, 08:05 AM	Thread Starter #3
YnHDaRkMaN Image of the invisible... Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mexico Posts: 199 Rep Power: 33 System Specs	Re: PSU & Crossfire question After reading this, I'm pretty sure I'll buy a new PSU since I need to order a bridge for CrossfireX as well :P Would the Corsair GS600 be enough for my needs or should I go for the GS700? Here were I live there's only $200 mexican pesos of difference between them (around $16 USD) __________________ Current rig specs: Phenom II x4 945 3.0GHz Asus M4A78T-E Mobo 4x2GB DDR3 1333MHz Dual-Channel XFX HD 5770 1GB Single Slot Antec Three Hundred Case Corsair GS600 Acer LCD 19'' Widescreen 1TB Seagate Barracuda

Aug 22, 2011, 09:49 AM	#4
IvanV HH Assassin Guild Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 5,914 Rep Power: 333 System Specs	Re: PSU & Crossfire question The GS600 should work well for you, it's got a single 12V rail that can deliver over 500W, so there shouldn't be any problems. __________________ If anyone has Portal 2 and hasn't played the co-op and wants to do me a favour, let me know (PM me or whatever).

Aug 23, 2011, 07:15 PM	Thread Starter #6
YnHDaRkMaN Image of the invisible... Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mexico Posts: 199 Rep Power: 33 System Specs	Re: PSU & Crossfire question Thanks a lot for your replies guys, I've ordered the Corsair GS600, I'm expecting to have it by next Monday or so, along with the CrossfireX bridge. Here's some rep for you PS. I'll see if I can get some pics when installed __________________ Current rig specs: Phenom II x4 945 3.0GHz Asus M4A78T-E Mobo 4x2GB DDR3 1333MHz Dual-Channel XFX HD 5770 1GB Single Slot Antec Three Hundred Case Corsair GS600 Acer LCD 19'' Widescreen 1TB Seagate Barracuda Last edited by YnHDaRkMaN; Aug 23, 2011 at 07:16 PM. Reason: Added PS.

Aug 26, 2011, 07:29 PM	Thread Starter #7
YnHDaRkMaN Image of the invisible... Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mexico Posts: 199 Rep Power: 33 System Specs	Re: PSU & Crossfire question The GS600 arrived yesterday! I've installed it last night along with 2 more sticks of 2GB RAM, having a total of 8GB now Also, it's the first time I've ever did some cable management, and even if it's limited in the Antec Three Hundred I have, I'm satisfied with what I was able to do Now I'm only waiting for the XFX bridges to arrive to Crossfire my 5770s (will take pics then ) __________________ Current rig specs: Phenom II x4 945 3.0GHz Asus M4A78T-E Mobo 4x2GB DDR3 1333MHz Dual-Channel XFX HD 5770 1GB Single Slot Antec Three Hundred Case Corsair GS600 Acer LCD 19'' Widescreen 1TB Seagate Barracuda Last edited by YnHDaRkMaN; Aug 26, 2011 at 07:31 PM. Reason: Added cable management

Aug 30, 2011, 06:10 PM	Thread Starter #8
YnHDaRkMaN Image of the invisible... Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mexico Posts: 199 Rep Power: 33 System Specs	Re: PSU & Crossfire question One of my coworkers had a CrossfireX bridge to spare and I installed the two 5770s yesterday, the results are AWESOME, it literally doubled my score in the Heaven Benchmark, and I can now play Crysis 2 on Ultra As promised, here are some pics It isn't the best cable management you'll see but I'm satisfied with what I was able to do Thanks a lot for all your help! __________________ Current rig specs: Phenom II x4 945 3.0GHz Asus M4A78T-E Mobo 4x2GB DDR3 1333MHz Dual-Channel XFX HD 5770 1GB Single Slot Antec Three Hundred Case Corsair GS600 Acer LCD 19'' Widescreen 1TB Seagate Barracuda

Aug 30, 2011, 07:11 PM	#11
Takaharu I can fart in 7 languages Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: England, UK Posts: 1,850 Rep Power: 113 System Specs	Re: PSU & Crossfire question Can I just point out that on those graphics cards it says £0 Screw cable management, you've got a decent gaming rig __________________ I don't get paid to know the answer, therefore I'm far more likely to give you a straight and honest answer. Mods Rig, Box Mods Rig, Folding details

Aug 30, 2011, 08:24 PM	Thread Starter #12
YnHDaRkMaN Image of the invisible... Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mexico Posts: 199 Rep Power: 33 System Specs	Re: PSU & Crossfire question Thanks for your comments, here's hoping that I'll be able to run BF3 in Very High settings! __________________ Current rig specs: Phenom II x4 945 3.0GHz Asus M4A78T-E Mobo 4x2GB DDR3 1333MHz Dual-Channel XFX HD 5770 1GB Single Slot Antec Three Hundred Case Corsair GS600 Acer LCD 19'' Widescreen 1TB Seagate Barracuda