Tom's Hardware > Forum > Graphic & Displays > Graphics Cards > Need some direction
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xringx   04-30-2008 at 11:28:05 PM

I am getting ready to upgrade my MoBo and vid card.....

Dont know whether to get another 3870 and go crossfire with an X38 mobo or

Go with a P35 mobo and just get a better card (not sure what)

Any suggestions or thoughts??

------------------------------ Q6600@3.6(9x400)Lapped Abit IX38QuadGT,TRUE 120 Lapped,Vista Ultimate 64bit,Gigabyte HD 3870 OC'd to 860/2250 w/ Zalman Fan,4x2GB G.Skill PI-Black,CM690 w/ 5x140m 3x120m fans,Idle 28c load 42c-Corsair HX620w
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xringx   05-01-2008 at 02:27:32 AM
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Ok, maybe I need to be more specific.....

Cost of an x38 board with 2 pci e slots for crossfire run about $160 for open box to almost $300 for new and my specific video card is $170.. bringing the total to $325 to $450++++

A P35 mobo can be had for $90 leaving me $225-350 for a new video card...

So, now is my money best spent in terms of video cards?? Will I get more play from 2 3870's or another single high end video card??

Thanks for helping me.

------------------------------ Q6600@3.6(9x400)Lapped Abit IX38QuadGT,TRUE 120 Lapped,Vista Ultimate 64bit,Gigabyte HD 3870 OC'd to 860/2250 w/ Zalman Fan,4x2GB G.Skill PI-Black,CM690 w/ 5x140m 3x120m fans,Idle 28c load 42c-Corsair HX620w
 Reply to xringx
aevm   05-01-2008 at 02:57:27 AM
- 0 +

I'd be afraid to buy an open box motherboard.

 

I think you can just buy another 3870 and reuse your current motherboard. The second card will lose some of its speed because its slot runs at x4, but I don't think you will lose much, compared to the same cards in an x38.

 


OK, if you don't mind spending more and doing all the work of replacing a mobo, look at the GA-EX38-DS4. That would cost you about $210 more than just reusing your existing mobo. You would get more speed. I just don't think the difference is worth it.

 

Something like GA-P35-DS3L + HD 3870X2 would be about as fast as the X38 solution above, but it would cost even more and you don't get any features like RAID/FireWire/eSATA/etc.

 

Is there any chance you could find a buyer for your current HD 3870 and GA-P965-DS3? If yes, the more expensive solutions would make more sense.

 



Message edited by aevm on 05-01-2008 at 03:09:24 AM
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jaydeejohn   05-01-2008 at 03:10:43 AM
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Id sell that 3870 and buy a 4870 when they come out

------------------------------ I went drifting, thru the capitols of tin, where men cant walk and cant freely talk, and sons turn their fathers in
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aevm   05-01-2008 at 03:17:24 AM
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That's supposed to happen this summer, right?

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Sailer   05-01-2008 at 03:23:07 AM
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I've read that the 4870 should be out in late May or June. But I won't count on it until I see it advertised at Newegg.

------------------------------ Evil lurks in the databanks as it lurked in the streets of yesteryear. But it was never the streets that were evil.

Over 50. Seen it, done it, can't remember it, but I miss it.
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romulus47plus1   05-01-2008 at 07:16:51 AM
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I'd wait like most will for the 4870!

------------------------------ Needs a job...
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DarthPiggie   05-01-2008 at 08:36:04 AM
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good choice lad

------------------------------ Do not fall prey to perceived obsolescence.
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xringx   05-01-2008 at 12:41:01 PM
- 0 +

Well, I have to get a new mobo as that is all I am missing to set up another computer for wife that would be an upgrade....

I do see how the P35 has a 16x and a 4x pci-e slots... My current 956P only has a 16x slot and a 1x slot......

So maybe I buy the mobo and hang on till the 4870 comes out or something similiar..

And once she is set up, i can start selling her stuff to help pay for the new vid card....

------------------------------ Q6600@3.6(9x400)Lapped Abit IX38QuadGT,TRUE 120 Lapped,Vista Ultimate 64bit,Gigabyte HD 3870 OC'd to 860/2250 w/ Zalman Fan,4x2GB G.Skill PI-Black,CM690 w/ 5x140m 3x120m fans,Idle 28c load 42c-Corsair HX620w
 Reply to xringx
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