I have been wanting to upgrade my GPU for a while. My system is as follows:
Phenom II X4 940 BE * OCZ DDR2 PC2-6400 2GB X 2 * Xigmatech HDT-S1283 w/smoky white LED fan (Dark Knight) * IC Diamond 7 TIM
GeCube HD3870 512MB * dual monitors: Hannspree HF229H & Viewsonic 1916w
Antec 900 w/3 front & 1 side intake, rear & top exhaust * Antec EA650 * 3 x WD5000AAKS 500GB SataII
PhenomMsrTweaker 17.5 multiplier x stock 200 speed = 3.5 in P0 state, down to 1300 in P1 (idle/not busy); great temps: 29C idle, 47C load
I have been noticing in the charts that Crossfire 3870's seem to really kick ass, so I am inclined to get this deal at Newegg,
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102719
which expires in 10 minutes (it's onlly an add'l $5 savings, but heck, you know how it is to save a bit). But I think I need some advice before jumping in to Crossfire. Especially since my board has only one PCIE 2.0 16 slot, the other, which is meant to be used for Crossfire, is runs at 8, meaning the Crossfire would run at 8. Would that effectively cut performance in half, from what I see on the charts? Is it a terrible idea? I can otherwise just go for a single card upgrade to a 4850 or similar, but the 3870 is such a great deal right now, and I already have one, so it sounded worthwhile...
OK, 7 minutes left... I think I am going to go for it and will still value anyone's wisdom, and can report back here on how it works out. The card does have Newegg's standard VGA return policy, just in case...
Thanks in advance!
Will
Edit: Just went to Paypal & back... yippee... what a deal (if it's a good setup after all), otherwise, what a waste of shipping the return back!
:lol:
Phenom II X4 940 BE * OCZ DDR2 PC2-6400 2GB X 2 * Xigmatech HDT-S1283 w/smoky white LED fan (Dark Knight) * IC Diamond 7 TIM
GeCube HD3870 512MB * dual monitors: Hannspree HF229H & Viewsonic 1916w
Antec 900 w/3 front & 1 side intake, rear & top exhaust * Antec EA650 * 3 x WD5000AAKS 500GB SataII
PhenomMsrTweaker 17.5 multiplier x stock 200 speed = 3.5 in P0 state, down to 1300 in P1 (idle/not busy); great temps: 29C idle, 47C load
I have been noticing in the charts that Crossfire 3870's seem to really kick ass, so I am inclined to get this deal at Newegg,
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102719
which expires in 10 minutes (it's onlly an add'l $5 savings, but heck, you know how it is to save a bit). But I think I need some advice before jumping in to Crossfire. Especially since my board has only one PCIE 2.0 16 slot, the other, which is meant to be used for Crossfire, is runs at 8, meaning the Crossfire would run at 8. Would that effectively cut performance in half, from what I see on the charts? Is it a terrible idea? I can otherwise just go for a single card upgrade to a 4850 or similar, but the 3870 is such a great deal right now, and I already have one, so it sounded worthwhile...
OK, 7 minutes left... I think I am going to go for it and will still value anyone's wisdom, and can report back here on how it works out. The card does have Newegg's standard VGA return policy, just in case...
Thanks in advance!
Will
Edit: Just went to Paypal & back... yippee... what a deal (if it's a good setup after all), otherwise, what a waste of shipping the return back!
:lol: