gijoe262

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I am thinking that my graphics card is holding my system back, this is my first build and I would love some input on which upgrade path makes more sense.

I have a Sapphire Radeon HD 5770 Juniper XT 1GB which I got for a great price when I was assembling my build and trying to stay within budget. I had always figured that when I wanted more power and had more money I'd just grab another (no doubt for cheaper in the future) and Crossfire them together. I am having trouble actually finding another sapphire HD 5770, and I am starting to wonder if it wouldn't make more sense to invest in a slightly more advanced card.

With that said however, if I spent a couple more bucks on something in the 6000 series, would it make any sense to Crossfire it together with the 5770? As I understand it if two mismatched AMD cards are Crossfire linked together the faster clocked card will slow itself to the slower card, and likewise with memory. Specs below, thanks for any guidance anyone can offer!

CPU: 965 BE overclocked to 3.8 ghz
GPU: Sapphire HD 5770 1GB
RAM: 2x4GB G.Skill Ripjaw 1600
MOBO: ASrock 870 extreme3
PSU: Xion 700W
 
Solution


That will depend on what type of games you are into. More of the top games of today like BF3, Skyrim, etc can utilize the CF. But you are right there are games that will not work with SLI or CF.

If you want upgrade your GPU then look at the cards posted above would be your best choice. Here is a link for the HD 7770 vs 6870. The next link is the 7770 vs 6850. Third link is 5770 vs 6850.

The...

gary1

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Mar 21, 2012
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You can't actually crossfire another card unless it's another 5770 or 5750. You are correct that the faster card will clock down however.

I would just get a new card. A 7850 will smash that thing.
 

aicom

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Mar 29, 2012
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+1
 

DM186

Splendid
Depending on your budget will help deside which GPU you should get. Now about Cross Firing the best way to remember it is the first two numbers in the series has to be the same. So If you have a 5770 and a 5750 you can if you have a 5770 and a 6770 you can't no way no how.

The last two numbers don't need to be the same. On the nVidia side all three have to be the same. It does not matter which brand they are and that also for AMD the brands don't matter.

But both AMD and nVidia would recommend that both cards be exact. Let us know your budget so we can recommend a card. I would not stay with the 5770. If you can't find another card means they obsolete.
 

killerchickens

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The 6770 is a re brand it can be crossfired with a 5770.
 

DM186

Splendid


With all do respect not trying to pick a fight. Would you please show me how that can be. Show me someone who has or something that shows it can be done. I am not awear that this can be done.
 

DM186

Splendid


Ok thanks I guess you posted that link up before the one you showed me. I just didn't see it in the first link. According to the chart the 6770 and the 6750 can be CF'd with the 5970 and the 5770 out of all the AMD card those are the only one's. I guess I learned something new today.
 

gijoe262

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Thanks for the input, I thought I had heard that somewhere.
 

gijoe262

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Thanks for answering, I had thought it was not a good sign I couldn't find any new 5770's. I was going to try to keep it around $150, and would love recommendations for an upgrade. I have also been reading recently that a lot of PC games aren't even able to utilize a crossfire setup, and gaming is my primary reason for system building.
 

killerchickens

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DM186

Splendid


That will depend on what type of games you are into. More of the top games of today like BF3, Skyrim, etc can utilize the CF. But you are right there are games that will not work with SLI or CF.

If you want upgrade your GPU then look at the cards posted above would be your best choice. Here is a link for the HD 7770 vs 6870. The next link is the 7770 vs 6850. Third link is 5770 vs 6850.

The fourth link is for a 5770 card the last one, I don't know how many are left but it is one. Just in case you want to go with what you wanted to do in the first place.

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/536?vs=540

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/536?vs=539

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/538?vs=539

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127490
 
Solution

gamerguy319

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Apr 11, 2012
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Alright i'm going to be building a computer and I have two questions:

1. I am planning on getting a gtx 570 and i am going to be crossfireing later. but I have noticed in my research that most AMD mobo's will tend to be able to crossfire at x16/x16 but intel will only run x8/x8 but will have a better processor. what I want to know is will the two 570's be able to use there full potential with Intel?
be
2. I have also noticed that all AMD motherboards have pcie 2.0 but Intel can use pcie 3.0. so how long will pcie 2.0 still be produced?

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my build:
fx 4100, GA-990FXA-UD3, evga superclocked gtx 570, g.skill ripjaws 8gb ddr3 1600, WD 500gb HDD, CoolerMaster HAF 932 Advanced case, CoolerMaster Silent Pro 700w.