Advise needed on Graphics Card/ CPU options

[chadclifton]

Please have a look at the parts for my system which will be ordered this week. Please browse the parts for me, but my main concern/question is regarding the 2 SLi graphics cards I am getting, am I right in thinking that it should perform as good if not better than the XFX 7900 7900 GTX 512mb card??? Also, I know that th CPU is low, but it is the compromise me and my gilfriend came too as we have "more important things to buy" (pah) and I can upgrade to a Dual core at the end of the year, plus according to the article Doc Overclock did regarding building a gaming system on a budget, the CPU isnt as important as it used too be.

Anyway:

MOBO: Abit AN8 32X NF4 SLi, S939, PCI-E (x16), DDR 400, SATA I / II, SATA RAID, ATX

CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Socket939 , Venice Core, 2.0GHz , 512KB Cache, Retail

Memory: Crucial PC3200 BallistiX DDR 512MB CL2 Non-parity, 2.8V, 64Meg x 64, 184pin (1GB)

HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 160GB SATA2 8MB 7200RPM

GPU: 2 x 512MB XFX 6800 XT Extreme ,Mem 1000 MHz ,GPU 350 MHz , 8 Pipes, Dual DVI-I , S-Video/TV Out

 

[ForzaItalia4]

Dude no.

The 512 on a 6800 is a marketing ploy trying to grab at people that like to see numbers. Get a single PCI-E board, like the asus a8n-e, and a good single card instead of two mediocre cards. Two sli cards will not work 200%, instead the first card will work 100%, and the next will work about 30%. It won't boost performance even close to a 7900 gtx, as this card is supreme to nvidia at the moment. SLI at the moment is a waste of money due to the performance not doubling with two graphics cards, so lose the expensive mobo, buy the $90 one, and buy a good graphics card such as the 7900gt, gtx, x1800xt, x1900xt.

 

[sandmannight]

Dude no.

The 512 on a 6800 is a marketing ploy trying to grab at people that like to see numbers. Get a single PCI-E board, like the asus a8n-e, and a good single card instead of two mediocre cards. Two sli cards will not work 200%, instead the first card will work 100%, and the next will work about 30%. It won't boost performance even close to a 7900 gtx, as this card is supreme to nvidia at the moment. SLI at the moment is a waste of money due to the performance not doubling with two graphics cards, so lose the expensive mobo, buy the $90 one, and buy a good graphics card such as the 7900gt, gtx, x1800xt, x1900xt.

he is right...get a single 7900gt or if your a ATI fan x1800xt or x1900xt

 

[jaguarskx]

You gotta be kidding me. Dual 6800XTs??? A single 7900GT or X1800XT kills dual 6800XTs.

I think a single 7600gt will kill a dual 6800XTs.

The best option is to buy the best single video card you can afford. Period.

If you are going for SLI, then anything less than dual 7900GTs are a waste. SLI really makes sense for the 7900GTX because how are you going to top a single 7900GTX? Go with two for extreme performance.

 

[gahleon]

word

 

[chadclifton]

So, reading between the lines then, you guys reckon the 7900GT is the way to go lol. Ok, I'm going with the XFX GeForce 7900GT 256MB GDDR3 eXtreme, PCI-Express, 2xDVI/HDTV, 520/1500Mhz then, what MOBO should I go for which is cheaper than the Abit one I was going to get? And if I can still afford it, is it still worth getting that MOBO?

 

[DDay629]

Wellll, personally, get the Asus A8NE, and if you can afford it a 7900GTX. I mean, yeah, that would be cool.

Also, if you could, get a Opty 165, you will not regret it.

DDay

 

[chadclifton]

What is so good about the Opty 165 compared to the normal CPU?

I have found out that I can get a XFX GeForce 7900GT 256MB GDDR3 XXX, PCI-Express, 2xDVI/HDTV, 560/1650Mhz, this should do me yeah?

And with that, I can stay with the origianl MOBO I looked at so I'm ready for the future.....

 

[gahleon]

Personally, I would be careful with XFX, I have heard people saying that they aren't great cards. EVGA maybe? Personally I went to the x1900xt and am completely happy and it is nicer than the 7900GT. However, it is more expensive. The HDR and shading is where it's at. Anyhow, good luck man.

About the opteron, better silicon which translates into more resistance when overclocking. Higher clocks and lower temps

 

[chadclifton]

Regarding EVGA, are they are good make of Graphics card,because if so that will lower my costs, but I hadnt heard of them before.

Anyway, thanks for your help, I have narrowed my GPU search down to 4, please follow this link and tell me which one you would have, I can afford any of the 4.

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Compare.asp?CPID=15811&CPID=15722&CPID=15669&CPID=15668

Thanks!

 

[chadclifton]

Same goes for my CPU, could you let me know which one you would recommend?

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Compare.asp?CPID=12855&CPID=10976&CPID=14335&CPID=14334

Thanks

 

[sandmannight]

It looks lite the 7900gt XXX is the best one on there.

 

[chadclifton]

Ok, here is what I am going with:

CPU: AMD Opteron 64 148 Socket939 , Venus Core, 2.2GHz , 1MB Cache, Retail
Motherbored: Abit AN8 32X NF4 SLi, S939, PCI-E (x16), DDR 400, SATA I / II, SATA RAID, ATX
Graphics Card: XFX GeForce 7900GT 256MB GDDR3 XXX, PCI-Express, 2xDVI/HDTV, 560/1650Mhz
Memory: Crucial PC3200 BallistiX DDR 512MB CL2 Non-parity, 2.8V, 64Meg x 64, 184pin
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 160GB SATA2 8MB 7200RPM
Case: Coolermaster Cavalier 3 Silver Chrome Finish w/o PSU
DVD Writer: Sony DWG-120ASV Silver 16x16x4 DVD±RW Dual Layer DVD Writer OEM UK


All that should be compatible ja?