$$$ To Burn... Best GPU?

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MaXXimus

Limp Gawd
Joined
Feb 8, 2008
Messages
312
Ok I was thinking of going with dual 1GB 3870 X2's... and yes I am aware of driver issues, CrossFireX support and all but it will come together soon. I have the $$$ to spend and Im looking at a rather extensive monster build with all top notch hardware and each time I get to my GPU selection I keep scratching my head for what to do... some say wait for the new NVidia card or wait for the new ATI 4000 series... well this build should be happening within a month or slightly more and if nothing new from either ATI or NVidia is out at that time I want to just be able to install THE BEST of whats available and frankly dont want to be bothered with getting something now and then selling and getting another new one.

So lets go under the assumption that nothing new will be out yet... what right now is THEE BEST choice? I am getting the ASUS Maximus Extreme, so either ATI CrossFire or single NVidia on a budget of $900 - $1000. Also whatever choice I make the card/s will be water cooled.
 
I still suggest waiting another month or two for the next-gen Nvidia (9800GTX or whatever it'll be called). Get the cheapest 8800 you can find for now, then eBay it when the 9800GTX is out. This ain't the most cost-effective approach, but you did lead off this thread with "$$$ to burn." ;)
 
i love my 3870x2 it's really nice and looks huge in my pc :p although it's not bigger than a gtx.
 
"I have the $$$ to spend
So lets go under the assumption that nothing new will be out yet"

You really limit the choice offerings here having said the above.
2x 3870x2 in Crossfire

And why would anyone recommend an 8800 GT when he said 'extensive monster build' lol.

edit: Also you can grab a EVGA 8800 Ultra and stepup to 2x 9800GX2 for SLI
 
ring.of.steel said:
lol.

op what about 3 x 9800gx2's in sli?
Click to expand...

his budget maximum is $1000 was gonna say it too Tri Sli but from what he's saying he's not gonna wait. therefore evga 8800 ultra to stepup 9800gx2 if he goes nvidia route.
 
I also said SINGLE NVidia because of having the Maximus Extreme... mobo is CrossFire not NVidia. So far Im seeing a lot of 3870 X2's in here so I think thats what Im gonna go with.
 
3870x2's fastest single card out, and much cheaper than an Ultra. Also cheaper than a GTX. So why not buy one? Crossfire support for them expected within 1 month tops.

ATI's also scale better (crossfire>SLI) than nvidia.
 
tvdang7 said:
just get the x2 you know you want to.:D
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I am seriously leaning that way right now, my biggest concern though is heat when running duals and need to find out about this card and if this cooler system is part of all the X2's or somethign special on this model. If I can save myself the aggravation of not having to water cool these then I could be a happy ass camper.
 
if buying now - ati 3870 x2

honestly, wait a month for nvidias next gen (if you can)....
 
Waiting for NVidia isnt going to give me THE BEST though, not that Im against them... but again, I have the Maximus Extreme CrossFire mobo thus not allowing me to run SLi. So unless this new NVidia card is going to beat CrossFired X2's then the X2's seem like the logical choice.
 
There's your answer then. Jump on it.

And get aftermarket cooling. Air or water whatever.
 
Just make sure you get a monster PSU cause these things can pull 220+ W under full load.
 
astyler said:
Just make sure you get a monster PSU cause these things can pull 220+ W under full load.
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Originally was getting a 1200W, but found a really sweet 1300W from Abs w/led lighting and the modular will sure help with keeping the wire clutter down to a minimum
 
that diamond super extraxtremexxxmaxx hyperbola supernova quantum edition mofo card uses the reference cooling system.
 
MaXXimus said:
Waiting for NVidia isnt going to give me THE BEST though, not that Im against them... but again, I have the Maximus Extreme CrossFire mobo thus not allowing me to run SLi. So unless this new NVidia card is going to beat CrossFired X2's then the X2's seem like the logical choice.
Click to expand...

A "monster build" is going to be either Crossfire or SLI.

If you're staying with the Asus Maximus, I agree that there is only one choice for a monster build: Crossfire X2's (assuming they sort out any driver issues quickly).

If you're going nVidia, then you'd need to switch to a 780 M/B, then look at triple SLI with 3 x 8800 512 GTS. (I know people talk about the old G80 Ultra's but I'd rather have the newer, more efficient G92's and overclock them.)

Since you "must" overclock everything (i.e. monster build), I suggest getting watercooling so you can keep your two or three high end GPU's cool while having everything running whisper quiet.
 
echn111 said:
Since you "must" overclock everything (i.e. monster build), I suggest getting watercooling so you can keep your two or three high end GPU's cool while having everything running whisper quiet.
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See my problem with water cooling the GPU's is I dont have any solution to where I can put the 2nd 360 rad. Im refuse to have to mount outside the case because I want it to look nice ie: no crappy lookin rad sitting on top. It just sucks that my case couldnt have been 1 1/2 wider or I could have had both 360's side by side on the floor of it.
 
MaXXimus said:
See my problem with water cooling the GPU's is I dont have any solution to where I can put the 2nd 360 rad. Im refuse to have to mount outside the case because I want it to look nice ie: no crappy lookin rad sitting on top. It just sucks that my case couldnt have been 1 1/2 wider or I could have had both 360's side by side on the floor of it.
Click to expand...
How about this solution:

http://www.tweaktown.com/news/8916/index.html
http://www.fudzilla.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5554&Itemid=34

What's appealing about this Sapphire Atomic edition Radeon 3870 X2 is the self-contained water setup and the card is single-slot... ;)
 
APOLLO said:
How about this solution:

http://www.tweaktown.com/news/8916/index.html
http://www.fudzilla.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5554&Itemid=34

What's appealing about this Sapphire Atomic edition Radeon 3870 X2 is the self-contained water setup and the card is single-slot... ;)
Click to expand...

single slot is great. my case is so packed because of my 2 2900XT's together. theres a 3/4inch gap between the 2 cards, i'm just lucky my audigy 2 ZS fits in there.

and even then theres still clearance issues
The fan of the first 2900T is 1/4 covered by the audigy 2
and theres about 1/2 an inch between the floor and the fan of the second 2900XT
 
echn111 said:
If you're going nVidia, then you'd need to switch to a 780 M/B, then look at triple SLI with 3 x 8800 512 GTS. (I know people talk about the old G80 Ultra's but I'd rather have the newer, more efficient G92's and overclock them.)
Click to expand...
Only the GTX and Ultra have Tri-SLI capability.
 
Kowan said:
Only the GTX and Ultra have Tri-SLI capability.
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Yeah you're right. Forgot that artificial limitation nVidia put in. They force you to buy "their" motherboard and specific cards...I'm sure they're losing some business due to all this.

Well then three Ultras then. If only dual SLI, I'd still go with the 512 GTS,
 
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