advice on mid-range upgrade(s)

[killxswitch]

Specs in sig.

With AM2 on the horizon and a new video card launched once every three hours, it doesn't make sense for a college student like me to completely overhaul my rig.

However, I'd like to boost a few things here and there so I can settle in and play most games that come out for the next year at 1280x1024, even if I barely run AA and AF, or am not able to at all.

The Plan:

- Sell X800 XL, pick up an X800 GTO2, cross fingers and unlock to x850xt pe. Total $ spent: maybe $30-$40
- Sell my current mobo and pick up an Asus A8R-MVP Crossfire mobo. Total $ spent: $20-$30
- Pick up an X850 Crossfire card on ebay. Another $250.

In total, it would hopefully be less than $300. However, I admit I don't know alot about the performance of 2 x850xt pe's in crossfire, or crossfire in general, or if my idea will even work.

Any pointers, advice, criticisms, or flames for stupidity?

 

[rcf1987]

Specs in sig.

With AM2 on the horizon and a new video card launched once every three hours, it doesn't make sense for a college student like me to completely overhaul my rig.

However, I'd like to boost a few things here and there so I can settle in and play most games that come out for the next year at 1280x1024, even if I barely run AA and AF, or am not able to at all.

The Plan:

- Sell X800 XL, pick up an X800 GTO2, cross fingers and unlock to x850xt pe. Total $ spent: maybe $30-$40
- Sell my current mobo and pick up an Asus A8R-MVP Crossfire mobo. Total $ spent: $20-$30
- Pick up an X850 Crossfire card on ebay. Another $250.

In total, it would hopefully be less than $300. However, I admit I don't know alot about the performance of 2 x850xt pe's in crossfire, or crossfire in general, or if my idea will even work.

Any pointers, advice, criticisms, or flames for stupidity?

You will have to flash the bios of the gto2 for the crossfire to work at dual xt pe levels but you probably already knew that and I think that unlockable gto2s are becoming scarce. Try looking on the forums for one already unlocked it may cost just a bit more but then you know you will have an unlocked gto2.