Is one 3870x2 enough?

DayTrader

Weaksauce
Joined
Feb 13, 2008
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I'm in the process of building a system from the ground up. I've decided to use a 3870x2 as my graphics card but am wondering if I should plan ahead with my motherboard should I ever need CrossfireX

The background
The monitor I already own is: ViewSonic vx2435wm -- 1920 x 1200 / 1080p

From what I've read, one 3870x2 should run most current games at their high (or highest) levels fairly well and, if that's the case I think can scale down from a X38 motherboard to a p35 board and maybe save $100.

Crysis and, I'd guess, many new games over the next couple years would benefit from more graphics horsepower so.....

The questions
1. Would/could Crossfire(X) with one 3870x2 and a 'regular' 3870 be a possibility? (trying to keep from dropping $900 on 2 vid cards here... ;) )

2. Would I need more than one 3870x2 given my monitor is 1900x1200?

3. If NO, shouldn't I go with a good P35 board or would it be smart to spend the extra $ for a good x38 motherboard just to keep the option open?

(I couldn't decide if this should go in this section or the mobo section so I flipped a coin..... heads it was. )
 
go with one now and get a nice x38 board and leave it open to add another one later.
 
go with one now and get a nice x38 board and leave it open to add another one later.

I agree. I'm running one x2 right now and it pretty much handles everything I throw at it at 1920x1200. Granted, I bought 2 3870x2's and am just waiting for the driver to crossfire them, but one at the moment is a good choice with an x38 board. you can always add another x2, or like you said, a single 3870 if you need more performance later.
 
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