Ordered New HD5870

[Mike029]

OK guys, I did it.
I pulled the pin and ordered another hd 5870. I bought a 2nd Sapphire HD5870

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102883
This matches the one in my case. After all rebates etc, $218.00 could not pass it up.

This will help us in the next PG challenge. I really think we are going to have a problem this next challenge and will need everything, including running the cpu's on PG in order to win this.

Thanks to everyone for all the help.

[Maxwell]

Be careful with that card - I had two Sapphire 5970s arrive DOA with dead fans. Install it immediately (like that would be a problem ;) ) in case you need to RMA it.

[DrPop]

NICE! That is an amazing price, too. Man I'm kicking myself for not getting a single 5970 now, but hindsight...there will always be the next round! :)
I'd like to say thanks on behalf of the team - that's quite a commitment and upgrade.

[Beerdrinker]

NICE!!!


Thanks for the commitment!

[Shadowlurker]

I just ordered a couple of 570s, I might have more cards than slots now, not sure if I can add another to one box. So I might have a 275 GTX available.

[DrPop]

*cough cough* Beer is really drooling over a CUDA card *cough cough* >-)

[Mike029]

I just ordered a couple of 570s, I might have more cards than slots now, not sure if I can add another to one box. So I might have a 275 GTX available.

The new card os out for delivery. Man I can't wait to drop that puppy in.
@Max, I won't wait longer than it takes to install it. :-B
@ Shadow, Like the avatar. :))

I was wondering if there is a way to get all three cards onto my mb? I have the Asus p5q Deluxe and the GPU's block the middle pci-e slot. Anyone have a way to rig it? Maybe some sort of pci-e slot connector/expander or something.

I hope you guys get my meaning.

[Fire$torm]

The new card os out for delivery. Man I can't wait to drop that puppy in.
@Max, I won't wait longer than it takes to install it. :-B
@ Shadow, Like the avatar. :))

I was wondering if there is a way to get all three cards onto my mb? I have the Asus p5q Deluxe and the GPU's block the middle pci-e slot. Anyone have a way to rig it? Maybe some sort of pci-e slot connector/expander or something.

I hope you guys get my meaning.
I wish we still had access to the old forum. There are extenders available that will allow you to relocate a PCI-E card but they are not cheap. I will update this post when I find the bookmark in FireFox. My bookmark file is 1.06MB :P

Edit #1: Wow, got lucky (NO! Not like THAT!!!) and found the right search terms "Riser Cards". Anyway take a look here. (http://www.orbitmicro.com/global/riser-cards-c-33_898.html?items=100&sort=pA&p[114][4]=823&p[114][3]=824&p[114][2]=825&p[114][1]=826&p[114][0]=830&kw=) I think I have more. Will post if so.

Edit #2: Try this Google link. (http://www.google.com/search?q=PCI-E+Extenders%2C+Riser+Cards%2C+adapters&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a#q=PCI-E+Extenders,+Riser+Cards,+adapters&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbo=u&tbs=shop:1&source=og&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wf&biw=1914&bih=1056&fp=9996b317d3cf2d50)

[Mike029]

Thanks. I'll look up pci-e extenders see what comes up.

UPDATE: New card is in and I'm crunching away on pg. Want to work out all bugs before the challenge starts. So far so good. No problems. 7Mins Dnetc wu times. 17 to 18 min pg times. Very nice.:-bd

[DrPop]

Is that 7 min DNETC WU time with 1 5870 or with 2 in the box?

[Mike029]

Is that 7 min DNETC WU time with 1 5870 or with 2 in the box?

2 in one box baby. Using CCC at 900 GPU 150 Mem. Temps at 78.

[DrPop]

Thanks for that info. I was trying to gauge how far behind that my rig was with a 5870 and 5850 combo.

[Mike029]

Thanks for that info. I was trying to gauge how far behind that my rig was with a 5870 and 5850 combo.

Well,:!! Where are the numbers?
b-)

Wanna see if I'm pushing this enough.

[Bryan]

My pair of 5870s at 965 do a wu in 385s ... 6.42 minutes. That is when crunching AQUA. Some of the other CPU projects slow them down to 398s per wu.

[Mike029]

My pair of 5870s at 965 do a wu in 385s ... 6.42 minutes. That is when crunching AQUA. Some of the other CPU projects slow them down to 398s per wu.

Thanks Bryan. I'll play with the oc'ing over the next few days and use your numbers as a baseline.

[DrPop]

@Mike - looks like about 7:48 to 7:57 per DNETC WU, with a 5870 and 5850, both O/Ced to 900/450. Not sure why the difference in times, but they do very a little. Wonder if the WU sizes vary? Or it could be because I'm running WCG for TM on the CPU as well, so maybe there is a little "resource stealing" going on there? :p

@Bryan - what is your Mem clock with those Core clocks? I'm tempted to try taking my 5870 higher. I don't know about the 5850, though - 900 core on it is already a huge O/C from stock. What do you think?

[Bryan]

I have the memory clock set at 450M.

I run the 5850 @ 925/450 but for a long time I ran it at 980 :)

According to Steve/Paladin he likes to run his 58XX cards @ 300M memory but says not all cards are happy with that. He says ALL 58xx cards will work down to 425M though. That is why I chose 450M.

[DrPop]

You are always a wealth of info on this. I will tinker around a bit and see if I can eek out a few more stops of power. :)

On the other subject, I just got back from FRY's and I have 6 1/2W 68Ohm resistors here in a little packet...time to get busy w/ the dummy plugs!

[Shadowlurker]

For the work unit variance, some of it is small differences in the size of the WU, but I think most of it is BOINC as far as how fast they get the next unit crunching, especially if you are running multiple cards in one machine and even more so if the cards are mismatched. When one card finishes BOINC is not real good at getting it running again before the other card finishes also.

[Mike029]

I have the memory clock set at 450M.

I run the 5850 @ 925/450 but for a long time I ran it at 980 :)

According to Steve/Paladin he likes to run his 58XX cards @ 300M memory but says not all cards are happy with that. He says ALL 58xx cards will work down to 425M though. That is why I chose 450M.

I have tried running them at 900/300 and am seeing temps around 78 on one card and 74 on the other. 78 on the older card and 74 on the newer card. I've been getting many more wu's error-ing out. I'm now trying 925/300 but seeing temps of, old 84 new 80. That too high? Would seem Sapphire has improved their cooling since I purchased my 1st 5870. I'll let you now how many fail.

[Fire$torm]

I have tried running them at 900/300 and am seeing temps around 78 on one card and 74 on the other. 78 on the older card and 74 on the newer card. I've been getting many more wu's error-ing out. I'm now trying 925/300 but seeing temps of, old 84 new 80. That too high? Would seem Sapphire has improved their cooling since I purchased my 1st 5870. I'll let you now how many fail.

The difference in temps could be do to the gap between the two cards. Which ever cards intake cooling fan is buried behind the other in that gap will have a harder time drawing in cool air. To answer your question, personally I think 80C is on the high side. Right now my 8800s are 60C/59C running PG. The garage temp is approx 60F.

Take a look at my post in the Tower thread. It is very hard to see but in the pic of my P4 box you will see duct tape on the lower HDD cage. What I did has I mounted an 80mm fan in it (normally used for cooling the HDDs) and blocked off most of the back end (Exhaust) of the cage except for a 0.5" (H) x 1.25" (L) hole. The hole lines up with the gap between the video cards which forces the exhaust air into the gap to feed the restricted intake fan. Works like a charm. My cards stay within 1C of each other.

Edit: Here is a pic.
http://img837.imageshack.us/img837/9397/coolingmod640x480.jpg (http://img837.imageshack.us/i/coolingmod640x480.jpg/)

[Bryan]

A couple of things: there are 3 different lengths of wu on DNETC - 12, 13, and 14 packet wu. The ones that pay something like 30?? are the 12 packet ones and are the shortest. The 13 and 14 packet wu pay the 32?? CS. On the 13 packet wu 1 GPU sits idle while the other GPU does the last packet. On the even wu each GPU will do the same number of packets (either 6 or 7). This assumes the GPUs are fairly well matched.

On the temperature I was told by XFX that mid 80s is no problem for 24/7 operation. My 5870s NEVER EVER run that high. At 965/450 my dual 5870s are at 74C with the fan at 70%. The PCIe slots are in #1 and #4 so there is a full card space between the 2 GPUs and they are in a HAF 932 case.

My 5970s DO run in the mid 80s when I push them but they are developing double the heat of a 5870 in he same size package.

If you aren't doing it, use manual fan control NOT auto!

[Mike029]

A couple of things: there are 3 different lengths of wu on DNETC - 12, 13, and 14 packet wu. The ones that pay something like 30?? are the 12 packet ones and are the shortest. The 13 and 14 packet wu pay the 32?? CS. On the 13 packet wu 1 GPU sits idle while the other GPU does the last packet. On the even wu each GPU will do the same number of packets (either 6 or 7). This assumes the GPUs are fairly well matched.

On the temperature I was told by XFX that mid 80s is no problem for 24/7 operation. My 5870s NEVER EVER run that high. At 965/450 my dual 5870s are at 74C with the fan at 70%. The PCIe slots are in #1 and #4 so there is a full card space between the 2 GPUs and they are in a HAF 932 case.

My 5970s DO run in the mid 80s when I push them but they are developing double the heat of a 5870 in he same size package.

If you aren't doing it, use manual fan control NOT auto!

Manual fan control has fixed the problem and now has DNETC running around 77 degrees.
(65% fan speed)

I have run into a problem using CCC. 20 seconds after booting up the screen goes black. Like it powered down and I can't get it to power back up till I reboot. In safe mode I disabled CCC at startup and the problem went away.
I now need a new oc program to overclock and control fan speeds. I'm using Ray Adams ATI Tools but was wondering if there is another option?

@FS Thanks for the pics. I may yet still block off the back to help with airflow. I bet the air shhots out of that little space like a jet keeping it cool

[Fire$torm]

Manual fan control has fixed the problem and now has DNETC running around 77 degrees.
(65% fan speed)

I have run into a problem using CCC. 20 seconds after booting up the screen goes black. Like it powered down and I can't get it to power back up till I reboot. In safe mode I disabled CCC at startup and the problem went away.
I now need a new oc program to overclock and control fan speeds. I'm using Ray Adams ATI Tools but was wondering if there is another option?

@FS Thanks for the pics. I may yet still block off the back to help with airflow. I bet the air shhots out of that little space like a jet keeping it cool
For OC control I have used RivaTuner, ATI Tray Tools and now currently using MSI Afterburner. (http://event.msi.com/vga/afterburner/) DrBob I believe is the one who suggested this one on the old forum. Afterburner is by far the easiest of the three to use and is the one I am currently using. Although it is marketed by MSI it is based on RivaTuner (same author) and from what I can tell it should work on any ATI HD series GPU.
Note: I do not use it as a replacement for CCC but use it along with CCC.

For your CCC problem I would suggest uninstall using Windows Add and Remove (In Win7 it is called "Programs and Features") then use Drive Sweeper to clear all ATI files. After that reboot and then install the Catalyst 10.12 APP (http://sites.amd.com/us/game/downloads/Pages/downloads.aspx).

[Mike029]

Thanks F$. It fixed the problem. All ready for the challenge.

[Fire$torm]

Thanks F$. It fixed the problem. All ready for the challenge.

Great news. Time to "Lock n' Load".

[Mike029]

Be careful with that card - I had two Sapphire 5970s arrive DOA with dead fans. Install it immediately (like that would be a problem ;) ) in case you need to RMA it.

Well it's been a month and for the last week or so I've been having problems with the fan on my new Sapphire 5870. The fan was making what I thought was a rubbing sound, the temps were getting into the 90's and the fan would rev then stop. Revving up to 3300rps then back down to 100. Popped the card out adjusted the plastic housing and spin the fan but the fan was still making a strange rubbing noise. The fan is real tight and when spun with my finger, I hear a buzz-like noise. It spins nothing like it's twin card which is installed and runs at full load 70.

So back to Sapphire it goes because I bought it with a rebate, New Egg can't take it back. 1 to 2 week turnaround. I popped back in my backup 4870 so I won't take too big a hit. I've lost alot due to messing with this card for the past 7 to 10 days. :-L

[joker]

Poop. :mad:

[Dandasarge]

The new card os out for delivery. Man I can't wait to drop that puppy in.
@Max, I won't wait longer than it takes to install it. :-B
@ Shadow, Like the avatar. :))

I was wondering if there is a way to get all three cards onto my mb? I have the Asus p5q Deluxe and the GPU's block the middle pci-e slot. Anyone have a way to rig it? Maybe some sort of pci-e slot connector/expander or something.

I hope you guys get my meaning.


There is a website http://www.orbitmicro.com/global/riser-cards-c-33_898.html

Best thing to do is find out what you need then ebay. the cards are about 50% the cost

[Mike029]

Well, 5870 is back in case and I'm running it all out right now to make sure no more problems. Anyone have a recommendation of an AMD MB that can handle 3 hd 5870's.
Was looking at the MSI 890. Unless it may be a problem.

[Maxwell]

Well, 5870 is back in case and I'm running it all out right now to make sure no more problems. Anyone have a recommendation of an AMD MB that can handle 3 hd 5870's.
Was looking at the MSI 890. Unless it may be a problem.
STM just built a 3x5870 box with an AM3 CPU. Can't remember where he posted the link, but with some clever searching, I'm sure you can find it... ;)

[Fire$torm]

Well, 5870 is back in case and I'm running it all out right now to make sure no more problems. Anyone have a recommendation of an AMD MB that can handle 3 hd 5870's.
Was looking at the MSI 890. Unless it may be a problem.


STM just built a 3x5870 box with an AM3 CPU. Can't remember where he posted the link, but with some clever searching, I'm sure you can find it... ;)

Try his post here. (http://setiusa.free-dc.org/vbforum/showthread.php?200-Maxwell-Spanker-vs.-Silver-Hammer-vs.-Annihilatrix-pt.-2&p=4689&viewfull=1#post4689)

[Maxwell]

Try his post here. (http://setiusa.free-dc.org/vbforum/showthread.php?200-Maxwell-Spanker-vs.-Silver-Hammer-vs.-Annihilatrix-pt.-2&p=4689&viewfull=1#post4689)
Yeah. That's the one I was thinking of. Props, F$! :D

[Mike029]

Thanks guys. Covers most of what I was looking for. Last questions, I think, :p I have 2 of these HD 5870's
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102883

Looking at the MSI board that STM bought for this project. No code name yet.
I'll be ordering a 1200 watt PS so power should not be an issue.
I want to add a 3rd card to the above two I have when I upgrade. I remember being told that the fan design dumps heat into the case cooking the cards. What card could I add the other two to reduce heat and get the most bang for the buck?
Also,
Should I stay in the 58xx family?
Should I move up to the 69xx family?

Thanks.

[Fire$torm]

Thanks guys. Covers most of what I was looking for. Last questions, I think, :p I have 2 of these HD 5870's
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102883

Looking at the MSI board that STM bought for this project. No code name yet.
I'll be ordering a 1200 watt PS so power should not be an issue.
I want to add a 3rd card to the above two I have when I upgrade. I remember being told that the fan design dumps heat into the case cooking the cards. What card could I add the other two to reduce heat and get the most bang for the buck?
Also,
Should I stay in the 58xx family?
Should I move up to the 69xx family?

Thanks.
I might be mistaken but I thought all double-width cards vented outside the case via the slot covers at the end of the card.
IIRC running a mix of models from the same manufacturer (ATI or nVidia) can cause issues in certain circumstances. Running 3 of the same make and model is virtually trouble free.

[John P. Myers]

I might be mistaken but I thought all double-width cards vented outside the case via the slot covers at the end of the card.
IIRC running a mix of models from the same manufacturer (ATI or nVidia) can cause issues in certain circumstances. Running 3 of the same make and model is virtually trouble free.

No, however all double-width cards *appear* they will vent out side the case, they don't. Especially any GPU with more than 1 cooling fan. They blow across heatsinks, but the air just ends up inside the case. The grille on the card ends up being a vent, instead of an exhaust port. Even on high end cards such as the ASUS Ares (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121388) or this Sparkle Calibre (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814187127), you can see air doesn't have to exit through the rear grille if it doesn't want to.