Crossfire Intel or AMD?

[boonkiat]

Hi tech guys...

This is what I have at the moment:
- Intel Pentium D 930 3.0GHz Processor
- ASUS P5LD2 (Just sold yesterday)
- ASUS 512MB EAX1600PRO/TD
- 1GB DDR2 533MHz Memory

I just sold my ASUS P5LD2 yesterday and I was planning to try out Crossfire. But I got to choose between ASUS P5WD2-E Premium or ASUS A8R32-MVP Deluxe. I am planning to purchase another ASUS 512MB EAX1600PRO/TD for Crossfire. The problem between these to motherboard, ASUS P5WD2-E Premium is running Crossfire at 8x while ASUS A8R32-MVP is running Crossfire at 16x. Now I have an Intel Pentium D 930 3.0GHz Processor 800FSB in my hand.

I would like your fellow comment on:
1. Should I move over to AMD or continue with Intel?
2. Is there a recommendation on AMD processor which cost similar to my budget for Intel currently?
3. Does my existing EAX1600 matter with crossfire 8x or 16x?
4. Which is better?
- Intel Pentium D 930 3.0GHz 800MHz
----- or -----
- AMD Athlon 64 3500+ (2.0GHz / 512KB) Processor 2000 MT/s
----- or -----
- AMD Athlod 64 3700+ (2.2GHz / 1MB) Processor 2000 MT/s


Thanks. I'll be looking forward for your advices.

 

[ikjadoon]

I'm not really sure....You might have better luck in the Graphics section.

All I can say is that having SLi/CF run at 16x instead of 8x gives you nothing, except maybe some future-proofing. Even then, it won't matter until a few years....

~Ibrahim~

 

[lcandy]

Yup, you don't need all that extra bandwidth, especialy for those cards. I would say sooner rather than later though, that 8x is going to be a bottleneck for 2x GPU setup's and start seriously throttling your high end games. But that's not going to impact 99% of users.

I would say, stick with Intel in this case, as changing over to AMD when you have the Intel kit, would be a waste of time! The D 930 isn't exactly an ownage chip in todays market, but unless you are severely adverse to heat and noise, don't upgrade to one of those A64's.

If you're deperate to move forward, and have the money, then start appraising possible X2 or C2D setups. That's all I can really say to you, because you already have a sufficient setup IMHO.

 

[roncpem]

dont bother with cross fire or sli, neither are worth it. just get a fast card & you will be happier

 

[sailer]

If you're set on Crossfire, I"d go with the ASUS A8R32-MVP and the A 64 3700+ cpu. But I have another idea. Ditch the X1600 gpu and go for a X1800 XT (299.99 at Newegg) or if you have a few more bucks, a X1900XT (349.99 at Newegg). With either of these cards, you're going to get a lot better performance than with a Crossfire X1600 setup.

 

[ikjadoon]

Why not get a X1900XT for $299?

NewEgg: Connect3D X1900XT

~Ibrahim~

 

[redraider_gamer]

At this point, you've sold the MB, you might as well get the new conroe (should be available in the next 45 days). I've been a AMD guy for years, but the new X6800 has my blood pumping. The E6600 is pretty competative priced. ASUS MB's will be out soon (and actually available I hear). Otherwise the Intel D975XBX rocks so far but was very pricey. As fro SLI or Crossfire, unless you have a 23" montitor or something, what's the point. Get the X1800 or X1900 and you will rock until direct x10 arrives.

I'm a BF2 addict and I have everything set as high as it will go and I have to wait for the others to spawn! Sure beats my old AMD 3200+ Barton.

My rig:
X6800 Conroe std clock
Intel D975XBXLRK
2 GB Corsair Pro PC6400 4-4-4-12
ATI X1900XTX
74GB 10k Raptor
Soundblaster Audigy 2 SZ
Ultra X-Finity 600W

 

[sailer]

Why not get a X1900XT for $299?

NewEgg: Connect3D X1900XT

~Ibrahim~

That sounds even better. I missed the $100. rebate when looking through the pricings.

 

[ikjadoon]

Yeah, I missed it at first, as well. They, Connect3D, are offering a X1900GT for $190. I'm amazed.

~Ibrahim~

 

[quantumsheep]

Yeah, I missed it at first, as well. They, Connect3D, are offering a X1900GT for $190. I'm amazed.

~Ibrahim~

:-\

You lucky guys over in the USA with your rebates.

Wish we had them here in the UK, makes me jealous

 

[sailer]

Miscommunication, the $299. was after the $100. rebate. Yeah, a X1900 XT for $199 would be exceptionally amazing.

 

[quantumsheep]

Miscommunication, the $299. was after the $100. rebate. Yeah, a X1900 XT for $199 would be exceptionally amazing.

I meant the price at $299....that's like £180. Less than a x1800xt over here!

God you guys are lucky to have such prices!

 

[ikjadoon]

There are no rebates where you are? Why? Don't want to turn this into a political discussion, pretty interesting, though. Ouch, less than a X1800XT?

~Ibrahim~

 

[quantumsheep]

There are no rebates where you are? Why? Don't want to turn this into a political discussion, pretty interesting, though. Ouch, less than a X1800XT?

~Ibrahim~

Rebates are a US thing. Us guys over here in England have to put up with full prices, maybe a discount if the store is feeling nice.

How long have rebates been happening over in the US of A?

 

[ikjadoon]

Ohhh...

Well, I'm not sure how long they have been going, but it has been quite a while, probably mid-90s? The good thing about rebates is that they are cheaper (duh) but the bad thing is that they take quite a while to come in. You snip off the UPC (barcode/proof of purchase) and mail it in with a form. Then you wait, a wait from 4-12 weeks. Yeah, it can take a while for them to give you some money, though they'll take it in a heartbeat. When it comes in, though, it feels good! A check in mail for nothing. Hope I'm not rubbing it in, .

~Ibrahim~

 

[quantumsheep]

Ohhh...

Well, I'm not sure how long they have been going, but it has been quite a while, probably mid-90s? The good thing about rebates is that they are cheaper (duh) but the bad thing is that they take quite a while to come in. You snip off the UPC (barcode/proof of purchase) and mail it in with a form. Then you wait, a wait from 4-12 weeks. Yeah, it can take a while for them to give you some money, though they'll take it in a heartbeat. When it comes in, though, it feels good! A check in mail for nothing. Hope I'm not rubbing it in, .

~Ibrahim~

:-(