Multi-GPU setups compared...

[Arcmanov]

Once again, Tom's Hardware comes through with a pretty comprehensive look at Crossfire and SLI.
Of particular importance here is the comparisons between different models of GPUs within the same config,
and the difference between X8 and X16 slot usage.  Also, there's a section dedicated to CPU scaling as well.

Didn't even realize, for example, that it makes almost no difference going from 2.6 GHz to 4 GHz in REAL-WORLD
scenarios.  So running my CPU OC'ed 24/7 now seems foolhardy at best.  

* removes OC *

I dunno bout allyuh, but I don't feel like buying a new CPU in a hurry.  Its info like this that is making my attitude increasingly
cynical of overclocking these days.

[W1nTry]

Ocing was always an epeen and benchmark thing. Esp if you own a top of the line CPU. A man like myself with an X3 benefits from OCing because my CPU is a limiting factor in todays gamespace at  high res. You on the other hand with 8 logical cores and i7 Arch really has no need to OC.

[phoenix31tt]

what wintry says is right... but take into consideration... the reason for overclocking (at least my reason) is not so that it will meat my SLI/CF needs, its for other tasks, video editing, vmware labs, encoding stuff etc etc all simultaneously. And overclocking from 2.6 yo 4.0 will definitely make a big impact there

The "iCore" family can more than keep up with GPU performance

[Nephilim]

i like the conclusion

AMD Radeon HD 5750 cards perform well in CrossFire, and two of these budget cards can compete with a Radeon HD 5850.

5750s cf could come round a 5850, i have 1 5750 already might just get another and cf with that

performance good nuff for the time being...although i not sure if i might get bottle necks?