just picked up a X1900XT to replace my 6600GT...

crypto1300

Newcomer
...to go along with my A64 3500+, 2GB DDR400 @ CL3.

Going to do some gaming (UT2004, DOOM3, QUAKE4, HL2, & possibly Oblivion), do you think I need to upgrade my CPU as well?

Here's where it gets tricky. My Asus A8V-E Deluxe MB doesn't work with X2's, so my CPU upgrade options are limited to single core Athlon's. Or, I could upgrade to a C2D or AM2, but would also need to invest in new RAM as well.

Any thought's???
 
http://forums.amd.com/lofiversion/index.php/t80216.html

I do not think that the A8V-E Deluxe will support dual core. It does support the single core X-64 range.
The reason is the VIA southbridge ... the VT8237R (I think that is its designation). The next southbridge was brought out to rectify that problem (the VT8251).
I may be wrong, but if you go to the ASUS site you will find that the Northbridge K8T890 with the VT8237R is only specified for X-64s that are NOT dual core.
You sure it can't support it? Just curious since there seems to be different points-o-view on that one.

EDITED BITS: Doh!

Does A8V-E Deluxe or A8V-E Deluxe NW support AMD dual-core CPU?

Answer
Due to VIA K8T890 chipset limitation, A8V-E Deluxe and A8V-E Deluxe NW does not support AMD Dual-Core CPUs.
cya
Guess not, sorry.

The 3500+ should do you fine for a bit, you'll definately see a gaming improvement over the 6600GT. :)
 
In gaming your CPU wont hold you back at all at this point. In the future it will start to though as games become multithreaded, its still hard to say how soon its going to be till multithreading becomes a part of your every day game.

You should be VERY happy though. I'm jealous!
 
crypto1300 said:
...to go along with my A64 3500+, 2GB DDR400 @ CL3.

Going to do some gaming (UT2004, DOOM3, QUAKE4, HL2, & possibly Oblivion), do you think I need to upgrade my CPU as well?

Here's where it gets tricky. My Asus A8V-E Deluxe MB doesn't work with X2's, so my CPU upgrade options are limited to single core Athlon's. Or, I could upgrade to a C2D or AM2, but would also need to invest in new RAM as well.

Any thought's???

That's what I originally did. My x850xtpe 'died', and I got a temporary 6600gt (read: 6600gt produces magical hax) I decided to get a new card finally. I chose the x1900xt (plans for Crossfire later), and grabbed a Sapphire. At this time I was also using a 3200+ Venice @ 2.2ghz. I can safely say that practically every game I played ran just delightfull. I generally go for 1280x1024 with 2/4x AA (depending on what game) and absolute highest settings...at these settings I acheived more than playable framerates, though 1600x1200 (or higher) was pretty abysmal performance-wise.

I think you'll be more than happy with it using that CPU running most things at highest settings. Just be sparing on the resolution...I generally find that in pretty much every game i've tested, 1600x1200 with no AA is a bucketload more performance costly than 1280x1024 with 2 or even 4x AA, which looks far better.

Oh and even if your ram is generic stuff, an extra 200mhz overclock should be more than possible, potentially higher with a divider in place. ;)
 
Sobek said:
Oh and even if your ram is generic stuff, an extra 200mhz overclock should be more than possible, potentially higher with a divider in place. ;)


I've tried OC'ing, but to no avail. The best I can get is another 50MHz on the CPU, then Prime95 get's crazy. I've even tried downclocking the RAM to 333MHz, and raising the FSB to get the extra 50MHz on the CPU.

I think my CPU is limiting my OC. It's a .13 Clawhammer, stepping A.
 
Oh one more thing...

I'm using a good quality Enermax 550W PS that I must have purchased 3-4 years ago. It's only got 24A on the 12V rail, and Sapphire recommends a 450W w/ 30A on 12V rail. I haven't had any problems so far, but should I be concerned about my PS. I have 4 HDD, 2 Optical Drives, FD, and 6 - 80mm case fans.
 
Well, my 550W Super Flower PSU (the one i'm in the process of replacing), says it's only rated for 20amps on the 12v rail on the little sticker on the side.

Though ATI Tool seems to show my card drawing 24.5amps so...what gives? it's rock-solid so, it's not causing issues.
 
Skrying said:
You might run into problems, that's a pretty damn weak rail for a 550 watt PSU.

Okay, I just grabbed an Antec NEO 550W PS with 3 - 12V rails rated at 18A each. I didn't want to take the chance.

Do you think this PS is sufficient? It has 2 - PCIexpress 6-pin connectors.
 
Nice read there, some good information.

Sadly, when I clicked on one of the pics to view a larger version, I got sent straight to some random hardcore porn site, which lovingly filled my screen with anal delights. GG Xbit labs.

In other news...I realised my PSU has dual 12v rails, one rated for 18a, one for 20a. So i've got 38a total? :p
 
Sobek said:
Sadly, when I clicked on one of the pics to view a larger version, I got sent straight to some random hardcore porn site, which lovingly filled my screen with anal delights. GG Xbit labs.

You're either joking or have spyware issues.
 
Skrying said:
You're either joking or have spyware issues.

Sadly neither.

Office laptop, clean as a whistle...even running Firefox right now, got some hefty firewalling in place too. No addons running that would be catching and redirecting, and just yesterday I was running a myriad of adware/virus scanners as I do once a month.

It was just a straight up pr0n-link.
 
Nice read there, some good information.

Sadly, when I clicked on one of the pics to view a larger version, I got sent straight to some random hardcore porn site, which lovingly filled my screen with anal delights. GG Xbit labs.

I specifically recall clicking on the X1900XT related pics when posting and getting the full size chart. This is in Firefox also, so you may want to check that your hosts file hasn't been messed with.

In other news...I realised my PSU has dual 12v rails, one rated for 18a, one for 20a. So i've got 38a total? :p

Not exactly. The PSU probably specifies a maximum combined wattage for all 12V rails. Divide that by 12 and you'll get the maximum available Amps over both rails.
 
I specifically recall clicking on the X1900XT related pics when posting and getting the full size chart. This is in Firefox also, so you may want to check that your hosts file hasn't been messed with.



Not exactly. The PSU probably specifies a maximum combined wattage for all 12V rails. Divide that by 12 and you'll get the maximum available Amps over both rails.


For instance, my Antec Neo 550W has 504W available to 3 - 18A, 12V rails. I would just divide 504 / 12 = 42A continuous to 3 rails. Is this correct?
 
For instance, my Antec Neo 550W has 504W available to 3 - 18A, 12V rails. I would just divide 504 / 12 = 42A continuous to 3 rails. Is this correct?

Yes, though bear in mind that specific "rails" may be dedicated to specific connectors.

Silentpcreview has a nice writeup on power supplies: link
 
I just picked up a Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Music to round out the package.

I had no idea how much of a difference it makes over on-board 5.1 audio. Even using a low-end Logitech X-530 5.1 setup.

I've been happy with on-board sound since the first Audigy never quite satisfied me, but I haven't run into any problem with X-Fi yet. Hope my CPU will handle my gaming needs for at least another year.
 
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