ASUS® P6X58D-E - Crossfire with Powercolor HD5870?

[Mr H]

Hiya,

When I decided on the spec for my rig:

http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?1762-October-2010

I wanted to make my next upgrade as easy as possible by either adding a second HD5870 in Crossfire or a new higher spec single GPU when they get released.

What with the prospect of VAT increases and the new release of the ATI 6000 series (with no improved performance over the HD5870) I am considering whether it might be worthwhile going the Crossfire route and buying another HD5870 from PCS before the end of the year.

However......

Looking at my mobo and my Powercolor HD5870, there doesn't appear to be enough room above the next free PCI-E slot to fit in another card?

The screws on the top of the GPU actually stick out above the top of the PCI-E socket and therefore a second Powercolor HD5870 would never fit below?

I am not overly concerned at this, as I favour the single GPU option, but it would be interesting to get some feedback from PCS over this issue, expecially as the Crossfire option for the ASUS® P6X58D-E is available to choose on the PCS website.

Cheers!

 

[Sleinous]

Itll fit in that pciex16 below ur current card though from what I see

 

[Gorman]

The second card would go directly below the first card, they fit that closely, and that just how multiple gpu rigs roll.

 

[Mr H]

Perhaps my eyesight is wonky?, to me it looks like the screws on the top of the extra Powercolor card would prevent it sliding in neatly beneath the current one therefore causing it to put plugged into the PCI-E socket at a slight angle - which can't be good can it?

Do PCS supply other brands of HD5870's that don't have these large screws on the top?

 

[Sleinous]

I dont see any large screws hindering anything, closeup please?

 

[Gorman]

The screws will not cause a problem, they fit. Its snug but it fits.

Plan b:

 

[Mr H]

Mallet! Tempting ...

For Sleinous:

It looks to me like the 4 screws on the top might stick into the fan of the other card?

If I were to buy another HD5870 from PCS could I get one without the screws on top just in case?

Thanks.

 

[Sleinous]

Gormans right, they wont hinder the top card

 

[Mr H]

Any advice on crossfire cooling?
Is there any risk that the top card would overheat due to having no free space for the fan to suck in cool air?
Would those whopping great heatpipes on the Powercolor compensate?

 

[Sleinous]

Yes theyd compensate to some degree but, if you have excellent case cooling, it shouldnt be a problem