Looking to build a crossfire rig...will my main card work?

[rashod0]

Hi all,

Looking to throw together a crossfire rig and was wondering if my exsisting video card would work:

SAPPHIRE 100149 Radeon X1900XT 512MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 (Manufactures part #: 100149)

Can I pair this with a different crossfire card? It looks like I can based on this comparison chart (http://ati.amd.com/technology/crossfire/faq.html). I guess i'm just wondering if my card is crossfire ready? I would imagine it is but wanted to be 100% sure before I threw the money down to go through with this. Can anyone enlighten me?

Thanks!

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Hmm, well after looking at my manufactures website i'm not so sure i'll be able to run my video card on a crossfire platform, http://www.sapphiretech.com/us/products/browseproducts.php?pcat=3

 

[darkstar782]

You need an x1900 Crossfire master card to pair that with.

 

[rashod0]

So I can use it with crossfire? Actually the picture (on the website) for the card I already own, does show the crossfire logo on the side of the pox on the bottom, take a look here's the link:

http://www.sapphiretech.com/en/productfiles/137image2.jpg

So 2nd card I pair my exsisting card with just has to be a 'crossfire' edition card?

Actually I was able to verify my specific card via ati's website to be compatible with the crossfire system:

http://ati.amd.com/products/certified/sapphire.html

Can anyone recommend a good board?

 

[darkstar782]

All x1900s are compatible with crossfire.

You need a *Crossfire Master card*. Like these ones: Clicky

Note the lack of TV-out connector, and the fact that one DVI connector is replaced with the wierd looking Crossfire dongle connector.

 

[rashod0]

I'm starting to reconsider going crossfire now, lol. After reading around a bit it sounds like people really don't seem to have a huge differance in frames and such. Maybe waiting for dx10 cards is the answer? Here is my current setup:

ASUS A8N5X Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 ATX AMD Motherboard
AMD Athlon 64 3700+ San Diego 2.2GHz Socket 939 Processor
CORSAIR XMS 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200)
SAPPHIRE 100149 Radeon X1900XT 512MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16

Guess I can't really justify spending the amount of money to upgrade my already nice pc. Are there any links around that talk about crossfire someone could post here?

Thanks.

 

[cleeve]

Two X1900s in Xfire are nice, but that'a assuming you can get that crossfire card for a reasonable price.

When they're under $280 it might be worth it...

 

[rashod0]

Yeah I found a descent ATI card for a touch over $300, but I need to buy a new mobo and a new proc because I want to have ddr2 800 ram in it. So, am I going to notice that huge of a differance? I mean I have the $ for it but just hesitant as to next year will I be kicking myself...I suppose regardless I will lol.

 

[kamel5547]

Next gen cards are generally faster than the SLI/XFire version of the previous generation. Your better off putting the money toward a DX10 card if you don't need the performance now...

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

IMO, buy the New MoBo (Xfire/SLi compliant) and Proc first, and wait to see what the NextGen cards have coming out. Heck you may even want to pause on the MoBo until you know SLi/Xfire compliant. If anything get the base Intel because IMO that'd be the one both companies will try and target despite AMD, but by the same token, know that things aren't as rosy as before between All the players so it may still be a crap-shoot.

I just don't see the need for SLi / Xfire unless you feel you NEED it, as in you're running a 30" LCD and like to ame and notice the min fps being a pig. Even then sometimes it doesn't matter, cause neither SLi nor Xfire help run Oblivion at 25x16 with everyting turned up.

 

[redline42]

wait i didnt see anywhere that u said u were getting a new mobo how can u Xfire on an NVIDIA chipset if it isnt enabled?....