HD3870X2 or what?

Anubis_386 · 02-13-08, 04:35 AM

Having just sold my 2 8800GTS 640MB cards i've got money to burn .. So what do you guys reckon I should invest in .. I've had my eyes on a HD3870X2 as they seem to get some pretty good numbers at the higher resolutions (and I game at 1920x1200) ..

The other idea I had was to get a E8400 Wolfdale (which I'd clock up to 4Ghz) and then either an 8800GT or HD3870 ..

What do you guys reckon then?

Cheers

Hipcrostino · 02-13-08, 04:39 AM

acorrding to anandtech you can game on a 3870x2 while running 2x screens at the same time with little frame rate loss. Thats somthing you can't do on any other card. that reason enough for me to get one. pitty i don't need it.

vixro · 02-13-08, 04:41 AM

e8400 4ghz + 3870x2 why not both?!?!?!

Anubis_386 · 02-13-08, 05:04 AM

Because i'm a student

.. So its one or the other ... I'm looking more towards the wolfy but I really want an X2 .. Hopefully some new CCC drivers come out soon so I can see somemore benches ..

aja · 02-13-08, 08:45 AM

I would go for the 3870X2

You already have a pretty fast CPU

oakstave · 02-13-08, 10:34 AM

Anubis, I would go for the Wolfdale. The numbers on the 3870x2 don't support the price yet IMHO. Future drivers will improve it.

In general, I would think you'll get far more bang for your buck out of a 4ghz Wolfdale.

What a pleasant dilemma you have!

Brolloks · 02-13-08, 11:00 AM

The 3870X2 is one powerfull card, see here http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=546872
With newer ATI drivers they will become even more powerfull

oakstave · 02-13-08, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brolloks

The 3870X2 is one powerfull card, see here http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=546872
With newer ATI drivers they will become even more powerfull

No arguments here, but I note you already have the Wolfdale to feed those Bad Boys.

prpz · 02-13-08, 11:23 AM

If it was up to me considering your setup.....Id go wolf + 8800 GT/GTS that way you dont spend to much but can still add another card down the road

WiglyWorm · 02-13-08, 11:41 AM

Is there some pent up anti-AMD sentiment in here preventing people from giving good advice?

If you're gaming, there is currently no such thing as a "CPU limited" game. Not with your hardware. If you want to see any performance benifit above a 1-2 FPS, get the 3870x2.

If benchmarking or folding is your top priority, get the wolfdale.

thideras · 02-13-08, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WiglyWorm

Is there some pent up anti-AMD sentiment in here preventing people from giving good advice?

If you're gaming, there is currently no such thing as a "CPU limited" game. Not with your hardware. If you want to see any performance benifit above a 1-2 FPS, get the 3870x2.

If benchmarking or folding is your top priority, get the wolfdale.

I will have to disagree with you completely here. I went from a e6400 @ 3.6 to a QX9650 @ 4.0, I saw at least a 20% increase across the boards in games and benchmarks.

These are newer games and benchmarks (Oblivion, 3Dmark06, TD: Unlimited, etc etc). There ARE CPU limited games when running a higher-end graphics card. This is with the exact same hardware (besides the processor) running at exactly the same speeds.

pak · 02-13-08, 12:12 PM

Couldn't you get the wolfdale, sell the 6400, then buy an x2?

--pak

oakstave · 02-13-08, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pak

Couldn't you get the wolfdale, sell the 6400, then buy an x2?

--pak

Someone give Pak a prize. I think he's onto something here.

Edit: Wiglyworm, I've only used ATI cards... so I don't think I'm prejudiced but I noticed a bottleneck at 3.33Ghz with my E6700, (Much better at 3.5Ghz) I'm sure it would be noticable at 3.2Ghz (Anubis' stated OC).

ghost_recon88 · 02-13-08, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thideras

I will have to disagree with you completely here. I went from a e6400 @ 3.6 to a QX9650 @ 4.0, I saw at least a 20% increase across the boards in games and benchmarks.

These are newer games and benchmarks (Oblivion, 3Dmark06, TD: Unlimited, etc etc). There ARE CPU limited games when running a higher-end graphics card. This is with the exact same hardware (besides the processor) running at exactly the same speeds.

But there you're jumping from a 3.6GHz DUAL-CORE to the fastest QUAD-CORE out there. The L2 was 2MB vs. 12MB?

thideras · 02-13-08, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghost_recon88

But there you're jumping from a 3.6GHz DUAL-CORE to the fastest QUAD-CORE out there. The L2 was 2MB vs. 12MB?

Yes, I'm also talking about games that utilize 1 core.

L2 cache does not have a 20% difference, not even close.

+1 to pak's idea.

Shiggity · 02-13-08, 12:31 PM

E8400 and an 8800GTS 512 would be a solid setup, would most likely be able to get both too with the cash you have

Edit - woops prpz already beat me to it +1

Then if you do decide to get the E8400 and 8800GTS 512, you'll be able to sell the 8800GTS 512 when the Nvidia 2x card comes out and have a processor strong enough to support it. I just wouldn't buy the 3870x2 until the REAL drivers are out =D

Brolloks · 02-13-08, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shiggity

E8400 and an 8800GTS 512 would be a solid setup, would most likely be able to get both too with the cash you have

Edit - woops prpz already beat me to it +1

Then if you do decide to get the E8400 and 8800GTS 512, you'll be able to sell the 8800GTS 512 when the Nvidia 2x card comes out and have a processor strong enough to support it. I just wouldn't buy the 3870x2 until the REAL drivers are out =D

Beware the 9800GX2 is going to be > $500 probably and will also have a slow start on the drivers, especially with SLI

The 3870X2 on its beats anything out there six love, we just have a no go with respect to CF with them

wingless · 02-13-08, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aja

I would go for the 3870X2

You already have a pretty fast CPU

+1

TheCheat · 02-13-08, 01:28 PM

Does the 680 chipset even support the 45nm cpus?

+1 for X2

Anubis_386 · 02-13-08, 01:29 PM

Hmmm ... getting wolfy then selling my E6400 would leave me about £100 short for an X2 .. I don't intend to buy anything yet tho, my 680i died so I sent it off to Evga but its been lost along the way .. It was in for the 680i-780i upgrade so until I get a mobo I can't do much ..

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheCheat

Does the 680 chipset even support the 45nm cpus?

+1 for X2

Yeh there was a BIOS update released by Evga not long ago lets you use the dual core 45nm's ... Yorkfields still don't work tho ..

Keep posting your votes, Wolfy or X2 ...

Cheers

02-13-08, 04:35 AM	Thread Starter #1
Anubis_386 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: England - Where VAT hurts my pocket :(	HD3870X2 or what? Having just sold my 2 8800GTS 640MB cards i've got money to burn .. So what do you guys reckon I should invest in .. I've had my eyes on a HD3870X2 as they seem to get some pretty good numbers at the higher resolutions (and I game at 1920x1200) .. The other idea I had was to get a E8400 Wolfdale (which I'd clock up to 4Ghz) and then either an 8800GT or HD3870 .. What do you guys reckon then? Cheers __________________ \|\| i3-2120 :( \|\| H77 Mobo \|\| GTX 670 2GB @ 1200 \|\| 16GB DDR3 @ 1600MHz \|\| OCZ Vertex 4 128GB (OS) \|\| 3TB Storage Drive \|\| Samsung 245B 24" LCD \|\| Logitech Z-5400 5.1 Digital Speakers \|\| Razer Imperator Mouse & Microsoft Sidewinder X4 Keyboard \|\|
	QUOTE Thanks

02-13-08, 04:39 AM	#2
Hipcrostino Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Canberra, Australia	acorrding to anandtech you can game on a 3870x2 while running 2x screens at the same time with little frame rate loss. Thats somthing you can't do on any other card. that reason enough for me to get one. pitty i don't need it. __________________ i7 2600k Water cooled AsRock z68 Extreme4 Corsair 1600mhz cl7 4gb EVGA 580GTX OCZ Revo x2 220GB Corsair 750W PSU 2x 22" LCD monitors (1 is 120hz)
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02-13-08, 04:41 AM	#3
vixro Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Denver	e8400 4ghz + 3870x2 why not both?!?!?! __________________ Intel i7-2600K @ 45x100 (4.5ghz) 1.36v G.Skill Ripjaw Z 4x4GB 2134mhz @ DDR3-1068 9-11-10-27-2T - 1.65v ASRock Z68 Extreme4 1.70 Gigabyte GTX 680 2GB @ 1250mhz / 7030mhz Auzen X-Fi Prelude 7.1 on Cardas recabled HD580 Little Dot MKIII Headphone Amplifier (Cardas mini-RCA IC) Silverstone DA750 750w PSU heatware
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02-13-08, 05:04 AM	Thread Starter #4
Anubis_386 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: England - Where VAT hurts my pocket :(	Because i'm a student .. So its one or the other ... I'm looking more towards the wolfy but I really want an X2 .. Hopefully some new CCC drivers come out soon so I can see somemore benches .. __________________ \|\| i3-2120 :( \|\| H77 Mobo \|\| GTX 670 2GB @ 1200 \|\| 16GB DDR3 @ 1600MHz \|\| OCZ Vertex 4 128GB (OS) \|\| 3TB Storage Drive \|\| Samsung 245B 24" LCD \|\| Logitech Z-5400 5.1 Digital Speakers \|\| Razer Imperator Mouse & Microsoft Sidewinder X4 Keyboard \|\|
	QUOTE Thanks

02-13-08, 08:45 AM	#5
aja Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: SOUTH AFRICA, and yes, we do have electricity, and no, lions dont walk around in our streets	I would go for the 3870X2 You already have a pretty fast CPU
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HD3870X2 or what?

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02-13-08, 10:34 AM	#6
oakstave Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Oregon	Anubis, I would go for the Wolfdale. The numbers on the 3870x2 don't support the price yet IMHO. Future drivers will improve it. In general, I would think you'll get far more bang for your buck out of a 4ghz Wolfdale. What a pleasant dilemma you have! __________________ "If you consider the entertainment value of armageddon, the future doesn't seem all that dim."
	QUOTE Thanks

02-13-08, 11:00 AM	#7
Brolloks Benching Senior on Siesta Premium Member #8 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Land of Long Horns	The 3870X2 is one powerfull card, see here http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=546872 With newer ATI drivers they will become even more powerfull __________________ Should I get a Quad- or Dual-Core? - How about joining us in the Benching Lounge for some secrets - Want to bench sub-zero...take a look. Heatware 280-0-0 HWBOT Profile
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02-13-08, 11:23 AM	#9
prpz Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Kitchener-Waterloo	If it was up to me considering your setup.....Id go wolf + 8800 GT/GTS that way you dont spend to much but can still add another card down the road __________________ Corsair Obsidian 800D X/ Corsair AX 1200 I7 2600k @ 4.9 1.38V/ Custom Water Z77x-ud5h/Corsair Redline 16gb 1678 7-7-7-20 1.55 Crucial M4 128x2 Raid 0 Msi 680 Stock (temp) Win 7 64Bit Asus F3Sa-A1 C2D T7500 Stock 3GB+1GBTM Ram HD2600
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02-13-08, 11:41 AM	#10
WiglyWorm Member Join Date: Oct 2007	Is there some pent up anti-AMD sentiment in here preventing people from giving good advice? If you're gaming, there is currently no such thing as a "CPU limited" game. Not with your hardware. If you want to see any performance benifit above a 1-2 FPS, get the 3870x2. If benchmarking or folding is your top priority, get the wolfdale.
	QUOTE Thanks

02-13-08, 12:12 PM	#12
pak Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Tracy, ca	Couldn't you get the wolfdale, sell the 6400, then buy an x2? --pak __________________ Q6600 B3 450x8 P5K 2x2gb Gskill 8800gts Samsung TOC T260 2x36gRaptor 2x7200.10 320GB Creative X-Fi Extrememusic Klipsch ProMedia 2.1/SENNHEISER RS130 PCP&P silencer 750 quad copper Dtek Fuzion D5 Coolrad 32T Lian Li v1000b Built for the sole purpose to play World Of Warcraft and troll OCforums. Heat
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02-13-08, 12:31 PM	#16
Shiggity Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Chicago, IL	E8400 and an 8800GTS 512 would be a solid setup, would most likely be able to get both too with the cash you have Edit - woops prpz already beat me to it +1 Then if you do decide to get the E8400 and 8800GTS 512, you'll be able to sell the 8800GTS 512 when the Nvidia 2x card comes out and have a processor strong enough to support it. I just wouldn't buy the 3870x2 until the REAL drivers are out =D __________________ CPU - E6750 @ 3.4GHz \| 425x8 \| 1.41V \| Zalman CNPS9500 \| Lapped Mobo - Abit P35 Pro \| Bios v14 Ram - 2x1GB G.Skill F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ \| 850 \| 5-5-5-15 \| 1.85V GPU - PNY 8800GT \| 700c, 1850s, 900m \| HR-03GT HD - 150GB raptor ADFD \| Seagate 7200.7 160GB \| 2x WD 640GB PSU - OCZ GameXSteam 700W Heat
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02-13-08, 01:28 PM	#19
TheCheat Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Marquette, MI	Does the 680 chipset even support the 45nm cpus? +1 for X2 __________________ Corsair 600T - i5 2500 - Asus Maximus V Gene - 8GB Ram - EVGA 560 Ti 448cores - 240GB Mushkin SSD - 1 TB WD HD - Seasonic X750 GOLD - Blu-ray - Dell 2407FPW Dell XPS 16 - i7 720 - 8GB Ram - AMD 5730 1GB - WD 500GB HD - Blu-ray
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