Well thank you gentleman...I think
In answer to your various questions:
The PC was built (on my detailed spec) by a custom PC builder. I agree the GPUs look rather underpowered compared to the rest of the system but as I already had an ATI HD5850 (which I've been happy with) I got them to install a new 5850 and then added my own card into the mix when I received the new build. I've not had experience of Crossfire before so felt this would be a decent enough 'upgrade' on my previous single-card solution. In hindsight, I should probably have gone for a single nVidia GTX 570/580 as either would more than meet my needs. I'm not considering a new monitor yet as my eyesight is a bit of an issue and I'm worried the text will appear too small for comfort.
I did have an nVidia something-or-other a while back which I ended up selling as I couldn't stand the noise it made. To be honest, this rather put me off nVidias (hence my ATI 5850 purchase) but, as Frag Maniac says (and I've since read various reviews), the current crop of nVidias seem to have largely resolved this issue.
Unfortunately I don't have any other cards laying around to try!!
So, in conclusion, I think I'll forget Crossfire (and SLI for that matter). I shall sell the two HD5850s and get a GTX 570 or 580 once I've decided on which make/model I fancy.
BTW, in case anyone is interested I had a Prolimatech Megahalems Rev B 1156 CPU cooler installed and chose this Noctua fan and together they're doing an excellent (and quiet!) job - the processor ticks along at around 28C when idle.
Thanks again for all your contributions but in particular Frag Maniac.
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