Graphics of today

[Blak_Phoenix]

Ok, i really want a new pc, mine is just falling too far behind to play games well. I have heard alot off good things about Crossfire and what it can do, so im thinking of getting a CF Mobo, but im hearing the the 200's are crap, but the 580's are good??? I would really like to know what to look for and what to stay away from in this field, and if there is anything worth waiting for, and yes i know about the upcoming 7900. :)

I would like to get a x1900XT and a x1900 CE and a mobo, along with a new CPU and another gig of RAM, i have the RAM and CPU sorted, but just nt the mobo...

Currently thinking of:
AMD x2 4400 or x2 3800
ATI x1900XT and x1900 CE
X-Fi Fatal1ty or Xtreme Music (not quite sure on which sound card to get)
1Gig of Kingston RAM (I will be using the Gig i have im my current PC to make up the 2 Gigs)
and a 600Watt PSU

Cheers,
Blak_Pheonix_MB

[imported_Wreck]

Re: Graphics of today

I would not run an AMD system with 4xDIMMs of ram. I would sell the ram you have and maybe gets a 2x1Gb set of OCZ value.

I would get a dual core Opteron 165 or 170 instead of X2. The new CBBWE 0550 steppings are doing better than the 0530's. They have been getting overclocks of 2.8Ghz + with 1.35-1.4volts.

I would not buy crossfire until ATI releases the RD580 and it's been tested. It should be out this month (Feb).

Get the Xfi Xtreme Music. It's just as good as the Fatality and way cheaper. It's the same basic sound card.

You need not just a 600 watt PSU to run those power hungry cards, but a good brand too. I wouldn't go with anything less than Zippy, OCZ, Season, or PC power and Cooling with a crossfire setup.

[Blak_Phoenix]

Re: Graphics of today

Yea, i will have 2x1Gig sticks, as the RAM i have at the moment is a 1 Gig stick.. so i will just get another one of them (the same) so that there is no problems and i can save a bit to put towards other parts.

This is my list so far:

CPU
AMD Dual-Core Opteron 170 Processor, Socket 939, HT2000

$611

GPU
Hightech ATI Radeon X1900XT 512MB

I cant find any x1900 CE's in Australia... so i dont know...

$835

PSU
OCZ 600watt PowerStream P.N OCZ600ADJ - 600W fine-tuning the three adjustable power rails

$379

Mobo
DFI 939 PCIE CrossFire Lanparty UT RDX200 CF-DR

$310

Sound Card
Creative X-Fi Xtreme Music Sound Blaster

$232

RAM
Kingston 1024MB PC3200 DDR RAM - CL3

$162.35

Total
$2529.35 AUD

But i dont think ill get the mobo quite yet.. i think ill wait, as you suggested untill the 580's are out and then get one.. if they are good.

[imported_Wreck]

Re: Graphics of today

Sry It's late so I was just assuming it was 2x512. Everything looks good. You could try out the DFI and if it has issues go with a newer RD580 and sell the DFI on ebay.

You can always get the X1900 CE later.

[Blak_Phoenix]

Re: Graphics of today

Yea, i rthink ill just get the x1900XT now, and get the 200 Mobo and just see how it goes in non-CF mode, then when i find a x1900 CE and when the new boards come out ill compare them and either return the 580 if the 200 is running fine or sell the 200. and thx