What card to choose

[widdyst]

Hi all
Please help :), I'm currently in the process of putting together a new rig BUT I'm in a dillema over what graphics system to use. I want to know your opinions on whether to go SLI probably gtx or go for a single 3870x2 now and drop another in as and when drivers become available. Will probably look at using an e8400 cpu too and upgrade in the future to a new quad
Thanks

[sean_php]

Hi,

The best choice will be one 3870X2 and drop second in the crossfireX in the future or same time!

[widdyst]

OK thanks for that :) What sort of results are seeing with yours ? crysis, cod4 etc. What did you upgrade from ?

[SPQQKY]

Why pay $450 USD for a card that barely beats and sometimes looses out to the 8800GTS (G92) that only cost $300?

Review (http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2008/01/29/amd_ati_radeon_hd_3870_x2/7)

And when the the 3870X2 does beat the GTS, it's only a few frames per second. That's like $50 a frame.

[TheOnlyBaD]

Why pay $450 USD for a card that barely beats and sometimes looses out to the 8800GTS (G92) that only cost $300?

Review (http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2008/01/29/amd_ati_radeon_hd_3870_x2/7)

And when the the 3870X2 does beat the GTS, it's only a few frames per second. That's like $50 a frame.

+for that.
i got this card and it play all the games out now with no problems, i can play crysis on 1680x1050 0xAA 0xAF high details getting 40 fps avg.
+ if ur going on sli with 2 of those beats u will see what power means:yepp: :clap: ;)

[widdyst]

So you guys are big fans of the new g92 gts then ! Damn its hard to choose equipment these days

[Aleki]

knowing ati, they usually roll out with better drivers after launch. i'd personally go for the x2. ive seen some on sale for ~380 at microcenter (dont know if the deal is still around). everyone said that if you are going dual card anything to get 2 3870's.. well, one of these beats a crossfire setup in comparison. in terms of overclocking, not too sure if it does as good, but i havent bothered to read up lately

[systemviper]

+2 8800 Gts 512 (92) :up:

[widdyst]

So it seems the choice is between a 3870x2 or SLI gts not gtx ???

[systemviper]

So it seems the choice is between a 3870x2 or SLI GTS not gtx ???

Yea, as much as I like the 8800 GTS 512 , I would like to get the 3870x2 myself, sorry but I guess I'm not help,

If I didn't already have the 8800 GTS 512 I probably would buy the 3870x2 because I always liked the rule of thumb, "get the best one card solution" I think that it is more expensive but it will only get better with time and better drivers. best of luck with your choice, anyone of the 2 is a good choice :up:

[cajer]

Why don't you wait for the release of the 9800gx2 in about a month or so then decide?

[zanzabar]

Why pay $450 USD for a card that barely beats and sometimes looses out to the 8800GTS (G92) that only cost $300?

Review (http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2008/01/29/amd_ati_radeon_hd_3870_x2/7)

And when the the 3870X2 does beat the GTS, it's only a few frames per second. That's like $50 a frame.

that review is gimping the bandwidth with a striker 2, so a card that uses full 16x pci-e2 is being limited to 8x with extra latency as compared to an intel chipset



u realy need to think about what u want for a long lasting card with good video playback u want the ati, for a 1 year (if people put cards out) with better fps now and not so good video (gaming only system) then the gts512 might be ur best pick

i would go 2x 3870 on a 3 slot board, for a 2 slot i would go x2

[SPQQKY]

that review is gimping the bandwidth with a striker 2, so a card that uses full 16x pci-e2 is being limited to 8x with extra latency as compared to an intel chipset




If so, is it only "gimping" the 3870X2? I think that irregardless of that fact, it would be the same all around for any PCI-E 2.0 card. So the fact still remains that the card is totally not worth the extra cash.

[freeloader]

Yea, as much as I like the 8800 GTS 512 , I would like to get the 3870x2 myself, sorry but I guess I'm not help,

If I didn't already have the 8800 GTS 512 I probably would buy the 3870x2 because I always liked the rule of thumb, "get the best one card solution" I think that it is more expensive but it will only get better with time and better drivers. best of luck with your choice, anyone of the 2 is a good choice :up:

+1 for the "get the best one card solution". Grab the 3870x2 and after a few more driver releases, you'll be glad you did.

[purecain]

i'd rather have a 3870 x2 and the chioce of being able to add in another 2gpu's when you go quadfire... i cant see how two gts's will be able to compete against four 3870cores.... unless you are in a game that is really cpu limited...
i'd get the X2 and not think twice about it...

[disruptfam]

3870x2

[@rne]

But you should always keep in mind that not all games profit by crossfire

In which resolution are you going to play? Maybe you could save money, if your resolution is "low" and spend it for other things.

[xMrBunglex]

3870 X2 is the sexiest card out right now. you know you want one.

[widdyst]

So there's a lot o luv for the 3870 comin now :)
My moniter is a Samsung SM-226BW so gaming at 1680x1050 Resolution
I'm not rich but I do have a decent budget so 2 cards is affordable for me
Thanks for your input so far