Crossfire or SLI HTPC?

[Naylia]

What do folks think about using Crossfire or SLI in a HTPC? Is anyone gaming on their HTPC? Looking at performance a 5770 runs about $150 and is a fairly solid video card for gaming. However, it tends to have a small to mid size fan that probably generates some noise. Instead I could get two low profile fan-less 5570 cards and run them in Crossfire mode and get performance on par with the 5770 with absolute silence. The price would be close since the 5570’s cost $79 each.

Would running Crossfire effect any of the usual HTPC duties of outputting video/audio? Is this a good approach to giving my HTPC some gaming capabilities?

[mikinho]

The only issue I know of is with Eyefinity and DHCP but it doesn’t sound like that would be an issue for you.

[Naylia]

Yeah, I’m not planning on doing a multi-monitor setup. Just more the idea of using multiple fan-less graphics cards to get the performance of a single more powerful card while still maintaining the original goals of the HTPC.

[Matt]

The 2x Radeon 5570 both being passive means you have to consider the heat being stuck in the case. So you’ll have to consider the need for better ventilation with case fans, etc.
Double the graphics cards might be more of a hassle than say hunting down a quieter 5770 that vents out of the case. Perhaps this HiS card? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161344

[Naylia]

Artic Cooling style! I remember modding one of those onto my 9800 Pro.

[ruwackd]

Not knowing what kind of gaming you’re planning on you may want to look at the PowerColor Go Green 5750.  Uses less power than the standard 5750 (doesn’t require the additional power supply connection) and benchmarks show it does fairly well.  Just need to make sure you have enough airflow.

[url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131346&cm_re=powercolor_5750-_-14-131-346-_-Product]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131346&cm_re=powercolor_5750-_-14-131-346-_-Product[/url]

[Naylia]

Sexy. Love the heatsink.

[RehabMan]

Be aware that the PowerColor 5750 card linked to is a full height card.  I have that one in my desktop machine.  Nice card for passive cooling.

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