Beyond3D Forum

JCLW · 23-Mar-2007, 23:52

P5WD2-P, 945D in the 4.5ghz range, 2GB @425mhz....

Primary display is an LCD @1680x1050

Right now I'm using an X800XL, which has been a good card but is starting to show its age. Wasn't so bad until I bought the LCD, because I could always drop the resolution a little on the CRT without the weird scaling.

Anyways...

(All prices CDN$)

A 8800GTS 320 will run me somewhere in the $450 range, which is more then I really wanted to spend.
A 1950XT 256 could be had for $300, and a 512 version would be $350 (but with slower mem clocks).
After having a look at some reviews I noticed there wasn't a huge difference between the XTs and the Pros, and I can get a 1950pro 256 for $210 or a 512 version for $250.

But then I was offered a deal with a pair of Sapphire 1950pro 512s (100196L) for $425 (which again is a little more then I want to spend, but I could stretch it). Fully HDCP compliant as well.

As the 1950pro cards have an internal bridge connection (two, actually) I would hope that running one at 4x wouldn't hurt too much (since no Xfire data goes over the PCIe bus). Since the 1950pro AGP cards don't take a performance hit, neither should a 4x lane (AGP 8x = 2GB/s, PCIe 4x = 2GB/s).

Or I could just keep the X800XL 'til the summer, when we'll see more DX10 cards out.

Or am I missing another option?

Does anyone who runs Xfire currently have any issues with it? Never in my life did I think that I'd try a multi-GPU setup, but it might be fun.

digitalwanderer · 24-Mar-2007, 00:06

I really like Xfire, but I'm the type that loves to tweak things and the expanded AA settings to play with are a blast for me.

2xX1800GTOs, 3500 @ 2.4Ghz, 1Gb ram.

Skrying · 24-Mar-2007, 00:15

Save your money.

BRiT · 24-Mar-2007, 01:01

Save your money and wait until late spring/early summer when the midrange DX10 cards are released.

CMAN · 24-Mar-2007, 02:31

Save your money. I'm ever so tempted to pull the plug and get a 8800 GTS, but I'm trying to wait until ATI releases their cards. Even if I don't get an ATI card, I'm hoping the Nvidia cards will become cheaper due to competition. It's ever so difficult to wait though.

digitalwanderer · 24-Mar-2007, 02:38

Waiting is harder since STALKER is out and doesn't suck.

23-Mar-2007, 23:52	#1
JCLW Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Toronto Posts: 114	1950pro Xfire 16x/4x thoughts? P5WD2-P, 945D in the 4.5ghz range, 2GB @425mhz.... Primary display is an LCD @1680x1050 Right now I'm using an X800XL, which has been a good card but is starting to show its age. Wasn't so bad until I bought the LCD, because I could always drop the resolution a little on the CRT without the weird scaling. Anyways... (All prices CDN$) A 8800GTS 320 will run me somewhere in the $450 range, which is more then I really wanted to spend. A 1950XT 256 could be had for $300, and a 512 version would be $350 (but with slower mem clocks). After having a look at some reviews I noticed there wasn't a huge difference between the XTs and the Pros, and I can get a 1950pro 256 for $210 or a 512 version for $250. But then I was offered a deal with a pair of Sapphire 1950pro 512s (100196L) for $425 (which again is a little more then I want to spend, but I could stretch it). Fully HDCP compliant as well. As the 1950pro cards have an internal bridge connection (two, actually) I would hope that running one at 4x wouldn't hurt too much (since no Xfire data goes over the PCIe bus). Since the 1950pro AGP cards don't take a performance hit, neither should a 4x lane (AGP 8x = 2GB/s, PCIe 4x = 2GB/s). Or I could just keep the X800XL 'til the summer, when we'll see more DX10 cards out. Or am I missing another option? Does anyone who runs Xfire currently have any issues with it? Never in my life did I think that I'd try a multi-GPU setup, but it might be fun.

24-Mar-2007, 00:06	#2
digitalwanderer Dangerously Mirthful Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Winfield, IN USA Posts: 15,314	I really like Xfire, but I'm the type that loves to tweak things and the expanded AA settings to play with are a blast for me. 2xX1800GTOs, 3500 @ 2.4Ghz, 1Gb ram. __________________ Elite Bastards - Adminish “Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everybody you meet.” - General James N. Mattis

24-Mar-2007, 01:01	#4
BRiT ... Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Cleveland Posts: 4,501	Save your money and wait until late spring/early summer when the midrange DX10 cards are released. __________________ IBSL: 2835, 6541, 8531, 9299, 20484, 86985, 87130 FBSL: 7221, 9255, 15892, 20484

24-Mar-2007, 02:31	#5
CMAN Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: St Louey Posts: 620	Save your money. I'm ever so tempted to pull the plug and get a 8800 GTS, but I'm trying to wait until ATI releases their cards. Even if I don't get an ATI card, I'm hoping the Nvidia cards will become cheaper due to competition. It's ever so difficult to wait though. __________________ Bikes or Computer? What to do with my refund check...

24-Mar-2007, 02:38	#6
digitalwanderer Dangerously Mirthful Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Winfield, IN USA Posts: 15,314	Waiting is harder since STALKER is out and doesn't suck. __________________ Elite Bastards - Adminish “Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everybody you meet.” - General James N. Mattis

24-Mar-2007, 00:15	#3
Skrying S K R Y I N G Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 4,815	Save your money.

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