ATI 3870x2

[Mermaid Man]

Anyone here have a ATI 3870x2? About the same price as a 8800GTX, and it's faster. PSU is capable enough, and I think could even got quad Crossfire (ATI 3200 chipset)

[Brett_Henderson]

I'll share the fruits of my research.

When I recently built my current computer (Q6600@3.0ghz / 8800GTS512mb (g92 PciE2.0) / 4GB 1066mghz RAM)... I was torn between a 3870X2 and the 8800GTS(g92) because Microcenter was selling the 3870X2 for $380 !

I currently game at 1280X1024 (mainly because it's my year old monitor's native resolution) and was told that the 3870X2's (which is pretty much a crossfire setup) speed advantage was only noteable at much higher resolutions... so I settled for the 8800GTS512 (because it's the G92 and is PciE2.0 compliant and is plenty fast at 1280X1024 (in fact, it runs stock at 670 mghz !))..

[Mermaid Man]

Native resolution of my monitor (24") is 1920x1200. Before that was a 20" 1680x1050.

[Brett_Henderson]

Native resolution of my monitor (24") is 1920x1200. Before that was a 20" 1680x1050.

If you're hardware can run FSX at those resolutions AND with the FSX display settings set high enough to take advantage of those resolutions (my Q6600@3.0ghz isn't even close), the more V-card the better  :)

I had an 8800GTX768mb. It's $600 worth of ability were a waste on what the rest of my computer could deliver ...

[NickN]

Native resolution of my monitor (24") is 1920x1200. Before that was a 20" 1680x1050.

If you're hardware can run FSX at those resolutions AND with the FSX display settings set high enough to take advantage of those resolutions (my Q6600@3.0ghz isn't even close), the more V-card the better

[Brett_Henderson]

[quote]I would have gone for the X2.. Nvidia still has their head stuck up their ....

[NickN]

[quote][quote]I would have gone for the X2.. Nvidia still has their head stuck up their ....

[ThatOnePerson]

Nick, I know SLI does not make a huge difference performance wise in FSX, strictly speaking, at  higher resolutions would the 3870 x2 be any better or worse ( by a considerable margin) than (2) 8800 gt's?

[Brett_Henderson]

Let me put it like this...  That Q6600 is already overrun by FSX  LOL

I tested that X2 card for almost 2 months and although its got some driver dev work still in the mix to finish it off, I found it out-performed and out did my modified GTX by a good margin, and, all the annoying issues I have with the nvidia card were not there

I understand (I think..lol).. Heck, FSX overruns a QX6850 .. right ? So running a 3870X2 (especially @ 1280X1024) is like buying a card for the future (which isn't all bad, except I plan on having a whole new computer before the year is out)(and by then the 3870X2 won't be the best card (for the dollar) out there).

As soon as you can get hardware (for under $2,500) that will run FSX at hi-res AND on high settings, I'll have it. And I'll be willing to bet that that hardware will not include today's 3870X2.

[NickN]

[quote]Nick, I know SLI does not make a huge difference performance wise in FSX, strictly speaking, at

[NickN]

[quote][quote]Let me put it like this...

[richardd43]

Well, I am seriously thinking about putting a 3870X2 in the 3rd PCI-E slot on my board.

I read a preview with that setup and they put a positive spin on it. If that don't work it will be new board and CPU time.

Will have to replace my PSU but should probably do that anyway.