"Grouper" first look

I am def going to get the grouper board, MUCH better layout imo. if dfi added mosfet cooling capability + better power reg I would consider getting another board, don't get me wrong, my ultra-d is fantastic, but if there's a better board, I'll naturally get that. Dual core dothan, here I come, heh.

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Originally Posted by bigtoe

It went all quiet i do admit, I have mailed Sapphire again and i will be mailing TUL also to see if they are producing any boards based on grouper design.

I know the DFI crossfire is out in a few weeks and i have been promised a first look, so this may be the first true enthusiast option we see.

hang in there boys I will do my best to get some answers.

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Thanks for keeping our hope alive Tony cos' from a consumer point of view this industry is acting pretty weird if you ask me.

I'd like to avoid the DFI russian roulette but maybe i'll have no choice so i'll be looking forward to your results with the DFI XFire, shouldn't be long now before you get yours.

For sure we'll be hanging there for a little while.

By the way, if there is a grouper collecting dust and eating up space on your desk, just send it my way, i'll pay the shipping :hehe:

looks great!

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Originally Posted by xenolith

Isn't this Sapphire's first attempt at an enthusiast/overclocking board? That might explain why it's taking them this long at giving an ETA. Or maybe they're being smart by staying quiet too. ;)

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Hopefully the delay means they're putting more time and effort into tweaking it and making sure it works fantastically well straight out of the box. :woot:

When will the Crossfire edition Graphics cards be available? I'll bet this board becomes available about the same week or so, along with the crossfire version grouper (name?).

Also, look at this page on ATI's site:

http://www.ati.com/products/crossfire/buildyourown.html

watch the flash animation and notice that the graphics cards get plugged into the ASUS NF4 Intel edition board. HA! That's what you get for not giving you out-of-house developers good product images.

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Originally Posted by Mr. Tinker

When will the Crossfire edition Graphics cards be available? I'll bet this board becomes available about the same week or so, along with the crossfire version grouper (name?).

Also, look at this page on ATI's site:

http://www.ati.com/products/crossfire/buildyourown.html

watch the flash animation and notice that the graphics cards get plugged into the ASUS NF4 Intel edition board. HA! That's what you get for not giving you out-of-house developers good product images.

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Looks like the ATI 775 board to me, same one i saw running at ATI when i visited.

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Originally Posted by bigtoe

Looks like the ATI 775 board to me, same one i saw running at ATI when i visited.

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you have experience using these boards im assuming...

what are the chipset requirements exactly? i.e. non ati chipset (via.. NF4 ;) ) requirements? it at all possible in any way for a non ati mobo?

Oh lordy help me ... I can see my second build .. Just what I needed another compusive addictive hobby fueled by gasoline like this!!

x2/grouper ... waaa hooo. One nice thing about just getting into my first build long before reading this thread -- gives me some incentive to wait for some maturity on it and x2 ...

exciting times ahead!!

Dang, maybe I should buy the dice tube! for this old obsolete system hehe ...

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Originally Posted by dippyskoodlez

you have experience using these boards im assuming...

what are the chipset requirements exactly? i.e. non ati chipset (via.. NF4 ;) ) requirements? it at all possible in any way for a non ati mobo?

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I don't but I know someone on XS who has one

Attached is a screen shot from the flash animation. Here's the board I though it was. And here's the only ASUS Crossfire mobo I've seen, but you've got the inside scoop, BigToe, and I believe you.

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Originally Posted by Mr. Tinker

Attached is a screen shot from the flash animation. Here's the board I though it was. And here's the only ASUS Crossfire mobo I've seen, but you've got the inside scoop, BigToe, and I believe you.

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ooohhh nice resemblance. lol

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Originally Posted by bigtoe

I don't but I know someone on XS who has one

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hehe.. :slap: d'oh, I need to read threads more carefully. was thinkin you were greyskull :p:

I'm getting confused. There's the red on black Sapphire Crossfire board that looks like Grouper's brother, then there's this (from VR-Zone and Hardware zone)

That's not the "PURE" line of crossfire boards..that's the standard offering. just like every other OEM mobo maker that has different version of the same board....

the pure inovation it the white board with red details, then there is another one that is black and now the blue.

June came, June went but the "Grouper" didn't show up, what the hell could be goin' on :confused:

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Originally Posted by Shroomalistic

the pure inovation it the white board with red details, then there is another one that is black and now the blue.

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the black board is "PURE" crossfire, the white board is"PURE" Radeon shared, with onboard video, and there are blue version of both boards with differnet PWM design from the "pure" line-up, without the overclocking features, but are supposed to be decent clockers anyways, thanks to the chipset, but not the same ram power delivery.

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Originally Posted by LowRun

June came, June went but the "Grouper" didn't show up, what the hell could be goin' on :confused:

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I hear ya man, Im buying me a nf4 ultra-d tomorrow to hold me over.


To bad its the white board that has the onboard video. That board looks awesome but I dont need the video. Black one looks too average to me. Everyone does black now.

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Originally Posted by Cadaveca

That's not the "PURE" line of crossfire boards..that's the standard offering. just like every other OEM mobo maker that has different version of the same board....

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I knew that, but this thread was fizzling out and I'm anxious for new stuff.

BTW: What is the black Crossfire version of Grouper called? "Carp?" "Sea Bass?" I know the secret ATI board at the OC competition was called "Bullhead."

OMG this is amazing. I just creamed my pants. Excellent work ATI

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Originally Posted by Shroomalistic

I hear ya man, Im buying me a nf4 ultra-d tomorrow to hold me over.


To bad its the white board that has the onboard video. That board looks awesome but I dont need the video. Black one looks too average to me. Everyone does black now.

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do you diss the dfi boards for having firewire? ;) (not many people use it, but its there)Integrated video, is usually a drawback, but in this case- it doesnt matter, and I believe it can be used in junction with other video cards for more monitors.

So its a great thing to have :D I'll definatly be using it for SURE! :toast:

I'm still getting the white board :)

Any updates......... :bounce:

ARRRRRGG! this is driving me nuttier than a squirrell. I'm running a epox 8rda with blown caps until this comes out ( acctually stable *once you get into windows). everyday without an eta on this board is like a 1000 knives of fire in my chest if bigtoe or greyskull or any saphire rep reading has anyone they can whip for an update it would be appreciated.

Looks like the DFI will be out before the saphire. DFI did change the power delivery, so its safe to say, your ram will be ok on the DFI. Im ordering one when they hit, cant wait. GameVE just got merged with IBuyPower, so a pre-order for the DFI wont be existant. Wonder if Monarch will do a pre-order.

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Originally Posted by 7he]-[0rr0r

ARRRRRGG! this is driving me nuttier than a squirrell. I'm running a epox 8rda with blown caps until this comes out ( acctually stable *once you get into windows). everyday without an eta on this board is like a 1000 knives of fire in my chest if bigtoe or greyskull or any saphire rep reading has anyone they can whip for an update it would be appreciated.

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You're not the only one who is becoming very anxious. The day that I get enough money to buy my next system is becoming more and more imminent, and the Sapphire Grouper is definitely the board that I want.