Shorter (non-ref) 3870X2 announced

[DeathReborn]

All I need to know is what cooling mounts this uses, I got ome blocks in storage waiting for a decent card to put them onto.

[[XC] gomeler]

So.. who will be the first company to slap 3 GPUs on a single PCB? Singlecard Tri-fire anyone?

[fellix_bg]

Here is the naked PCB design with the angled bridge chip.

[tbone8ty]

Here is the naked PCB design with the angled bridge chip.

why didnt ati do that in the first place? thats genius

[T_M]

cannot mount single core waterblocks with this design, there arent 4 mounting holes around each core.

[strange|ife]

that gecube is sick looking, while I have no need for 4 monitor outputs, two is enough. I could some see needing that

Gonna wait this one out till the real numbers on the nvidia card come out. My bday is coming up in march, gonna have to bug the gf for one

[disruptfam]

ok which one should i get ????????????!!!!!!!!!!!??????????

[YukonTrooper]

Wait until every last model is available until you make a buy. Prices should square out by then as well. Just my opinion.

[disruptfam]

kk

[n00b 0f l337]

cannot mount single core waterblocks with this design, there arent 4 mounting holes around each core.

Easily solved problem. Make a backplate that hits all the holes and use one or two from bridge chip holes, or simply make a bottom strap for holes and use the top two as well.

[T_M]

Not sure i totally follow anything you said, but regardless of that you helped me come up with a very good idea for mounting my pots on my 3870x2

[fellix_bg]

Once the AIBs come to use smaller bridge chips (the current PLX 5-series is whopping 37*37mm footprint), the overall board layout will take down in size just enough.

[Yakyb]

so the bridge chip doesnt need cooling then, thats good news i wonder who is going to be the first to try dual dtek fuzion GPU's on the referance version (and maybe a passive on the bridge)

[Der_KHAN]

australian GeCube stock have dual 6-pin connectors and dual ORBs as well

yep , this one

ok, i'm sold! i guess this is gonna be my next vc

[K404]

Not sure i totally follow anything you said, but regardless of that you helped me come up with a very good idea for mounting my pots on my 3870x2

Sigged

Using a custom mount I think single-core blocks can be used. That "common" hole between the cores could be used to secure a crossbar over the blocks. WOnt be the best or most stylish mounting ever, but if it works, it works

[T_M]

*whewt* the first time ive said anything sig worthy.
Dunno if thats a good thing....

My idea has developed to what i think now is a workable mounting system for two pots. Hopefully ill make a ghetto stab at it this weekend for some LN2.

[K404]

As long as theres pics its all good

[Der_KHAN]

there's a review of the gecube on the german site hartware.net. (google translate link)

they say the fans are not temp controlled and pretty noisy

[T_M]

Good because the temp control on my reference design one is terrible, in fact it never ramp up from what i can hear.

[Der_KHAN]

well that might be because its still silent when the fan gets faster. just like the 8800GTS 640MB

[T_M]

believe me, at 100% it is loud

[disruptfam]

ATI Radeon 3870X2.. there s a6 pin & 8 pin sockets , do i have to plug the 8 pin plug as well with the 6 pin to make it work ? or just the 6 pin only ?

cheers

[zerazax]

two 6 pins work

[Der_KHAN]

believe me, at 100% it is loud

so is the 8800gts. but it never goes to a 100% in a well-ventilated case.

which is a good thing imo.

ATI Radeon 3870X2.. there s a6 pin & 8 pin sockets , do i have to plug the 8 pin plug as well with the 6 pin to make it work ? or just the 6 pin only ?

if you only use 2x6pin you will not be able to oc the card afaik. but i guess that applies only to ocing via the CCC.

[phurn_87]

id be concerned bout that bridge chip i knwo when itouch the reverse of my standard one its always fairly warm around the bridge chip..... so im not sure id go for that card IMO mainly becuase id be worried by temps, and i cant see there being many aftermarket coolers that will fit since its none standard?