1 or 2 video cards

[chris635]

Hey Shane,

  I need some advice. I am currently working on a new build and I am trying to decide on 2 Asus 7870 GHZ edition cards or the Asus matrix 7970 platinum edition (expensive I know). Two cheaper cards for crossfire or 1 higher end card? Here is what I am looking at.

7870
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121649

or

7970
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121671


Chris

[Shane]

Crossfire you get to use the multiple gpus together, so they are always faster is done with the right cards.

This is my card I put in just 2 months ago, and the free games where cool lol
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202008

Look at the specs and you will see mine is only slightly slower.

If I had the money I would have done it in crossfire. And it is a big price difference for only 100 mhz more speed on the gpu and memory.

Plays every game I have completely maxed out. I am also on a amd 8 core 4ghz cpu and have fast memory in my system as well, all 3 work together in order to play the games well.

Shane

[chris635]

My new build is amd 8320. I plan to overclock to 4.4 ghz. My power supply is a 80 plus bronze 850 watt thermal take. Do you think this will be enough for two of the cards you recommend or just shoot for a corsair ax1200 12 watt power supply?


Chris

[Shane]

Should handle it, but the more power the better, it will only take what it needs. Better to have enough.

I am using this power supply here
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182066

Handles my system just fine, but if I did crossfire I would need to upgrade it.

My system is AMD 8 core 8350
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113284

And 4 WD r4 drives.

My system doesnt miss a beat.

But again, I think I have just enough power. If I went with more I would upgrade the power supply.

Shane