Tom's Hardware > Forum > Graphic & Displays > Graphics Cards > If I'm getting an X38 board, should I get an ATI GPU?

If I'm getting an X38 board, should I get an ATI GPU?

Forum Graphic & Displays : Graphics Cards - If I'm getting an X38 board, should I get an ATI GPU?

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nerr   03-24-2008 at 08:30:20 PM

I've been debating between X38 or nForce for a long time now, and the general consensus seems to be that X38 is a more stable, better overclocking chipset than the nForce chipsets are. I really wanted to leave the option for SLI in my build, but as I'll probably buy an X38 board, it won't be possible... However, since X38 supports Crossfire, I began thinking that maybe I should go the ATI route instead, as it'll allow me to add another GPU in the future if I get enough money. Here are a few things I've been wondering about though:

1) Will Crossfire benefit me when playing at a resolution of 1680x1050? (22" monitor)
2) I've been looking at an 8800GTS G92 as my GPU for a while now. Are there any real ATI equivalents, or is the 3870 as close as I can get?
3) Does Crossfire scale better than SLI does, in most games? If I can get a decent performance boost out of two cards, then hey, I'm willing to spend the money.
4) Can I get a recommendation for a good card for potentially Crossfiring in the future?

Thanks for the help.


Message edited by nerr on 03-24-2008 at 08:30:44 PM
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sharp910sh   03-24-2008 at 10:24:34 PM
- 0 +

1. Yes and no depends which games like crysis, i say no if your not playing cyrsis on high.
2.8800gts is the best single card for its price, the 3870 is a bit worse, quite a bit. The 8800 gts will do you fine.
3. some say the scaling is better for c/f but if you compare sli 8800 gt to cd 3870 the gt is better.
4. I would get the 8800gts or 9800gx2 or 3870x2 for cfx.

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San Pedro   03-24-2008 at 10:53:08 PM
- 0 +

3870 (or X2) now and maybe 4850 for crossfire in June. The 3870x2 is really the only AMD card ATM to beat/compete with 8800gts.

What games do you play?

Reply to San Pedro
aevm   03-24-2008 at 11:22:47 PM
- 0 +

I'd get an HD 3870X2 and a serious PSU that can handle a second video card later. Say, Silencer 750W or Antec Quattro 850W. You'll also need a full tower case with good cooling.

The Samsung 305T 30" was $2000 a year ago, it's now $1300. At this rate Crossfire becomes more and more tempting each month.

Reply to aevm
nerr   03-25-2008 at 02:23:51 AM
- 0 +

I've already bought a mid-tower Cooler Master 690 case. It's huge, and I know it'll fit an 8800GTX even, but will it fit a 3870X2? If I won't be able to fit one comfortably... dare I say that I buy a 780i instead, and go SLI with 8800GTSes? Jeez this is hard.

Also, I'll be playing games like Crysis, The Orange Box, and pretty much whatever else I get recommended to play. I really want to use this rig to get into PC gaming, since I've never been able to with my current one.

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by nerr on 03-25-2008 at 02:56:39 AM
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aevm   03-25-2008 at 03:02:01 AM
- 0 +

nerr wrote :

I've already bought a mid-tower Cooler Master 690 case. It's huge, and I know it'll fit an 8800GTX even, but will it fit a 3870X2? If I won't be able to fit one comfortably... dare I say that I buy a 780i instead, and go SLI with 8800GTSes? Jeez this is hard.



Yeah, it will fit. The 3870X2 is the same length as the 8800GTX.

Reply to aevm
frischtr   03-25-2008 at 05:05:30 AM
- 0 +

There is also the option of the 9800 GX2. Too pricey right now, but it will come down soon...

Reply to frischtr
mathiasschnell   03-25-2008 at 06:11:29 AM
- 0 +

Rather than a 3870X2, if you can, you should just get a pair of 3870s and put them in CF. You'll save probably around $100 and sometimes the CF 3870s beat out the X2 I think. And if you REALLY want to save money, you could try doing a CF of 2 3850s and overclock the both of them to the point of 3870s as I'm pretty sure 3870s are just OC'd 3850s.

Reply to mathiasschnell
systemlord   03-25-2008 at 06:53:27 AM
- 0 +

Just thought I'd let you know that Crucial pulled it Ballistix Tracers PC2 8500 from the Asus P5E and or X38 chipsets. Weather this covers all Ballistix isn't known yet.

http://vip.asus.com/forum/view.asp [...] uage=en-us


Message edited by systemlord on 03-25-2008 at 06:54:26 AM
------------------------------ Intel C2D E6600 @ 3.2GHz * Asus P5E * 2x1 GB Crucial Ballistix Tracers * Raptor X * EVGA Geforce 8800GTX 768MB 651MHz/1525MHz/2100MHz * X-FI Fatal1ty Pro * Enermax Infiniti 720W PSU * Creative THX5.1 * Tuniq Tower 120
Silverstone TJ09 * Windows XP
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