Power gaming system / Sli or crossfire based?

Esaz666 · Dec 30, 2006, 11:47 AM

Im building a system for someone,their quite loaded so ive got to choose between ati and nvidia sli.

my choices :-
nvidia 8800 gts x2
abit nforce 680i chipset(IN9-32x-max)
intel core duo e6700 lga 775 conroe ( :P )
cellshock 2gig 6400 800mhz memory.

or :-----------------------------------------

ati x1950 xt-x x2
abit intel 975x chipset (AW9D-Max)
intel core duo e6700 lga 775 conroe ( :P)
cellshock 2gig 6400 800mhz memory.

The guy mainly wants it for running flight sim x and stuff like that but flight sim x doesent use duel processors as far as I know.I prefer Ati cards myself but what do you think?I bet he'll not need a heater in his room!

PangingJr · Dec 30, 2006, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esaz666

intel e700 conroe proc.(2.67)

i think you mean Intel Core 2 Duo "E6700" (2.66 GHz), or probably Intel Core 2 Extreme "QX6700" (quad-core, 2.66 GHz).

Esaz666 · Dec 30, 2006, 12:32 PM

oops,
heh, yeah sorry

Dowaco · Dec 30, 2006, 01:47 PM

I am not a fan of either crossfire or SLI, but only the Intel chipset on the Crossfire board can do Matrix RAID. So I would go with the second build and get two raptors for faster map loads.

OldBuzzard · Dec 30, 2006, 06:21 PM

I don't think that FSX will use both cores, but dual core will still help if he makes sure that he dedicates one for FSX only. FS9 uses every CPU cycle that it can get it's hands on, and FSX is the same. It will also use just about every byte of RAM that you can throw at it.

Unless he's REALLY loaded, the dual 8800/1950's are going to be a bit of a waste, because once the Vista/DX10 upgrade for FSX comes out, neither of those cards will be able to take advantage of it. He'd be better off moneywise to hold off on the dual card setup untill the DX10 parts are available...unless he's got $$$ to burn.

If he does go with that setup...I'd like to see his face when he tries to run FSX at max settings, and only sees 15 FPS

Lelisevis · Dec 30, 2006, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldBuzzard

I don't think that FSX will use both cores, but dual core will still help if he makes sure that he dedicates one for FSX only. FS9 uses every CPU cycle that it can get it's hands on, and FSX is the same. It will also use just about every byte of RAM that you can throw at it.

Unless he's REALLY loaded, the dual 8800/1950's are going to be a bit of a waste, because once the Vista/DX10 upgrade for FSX comes out, neither of those cards will be able to take advantage of it. He'd be better off moneywise to hold off on the dual card setup untill the DX10 parts are available...unless he's got $$$ to burn.

If he does go with that setup...I'd like to see his face when he tries to run FSX at max settings, and only sees 15 FPS

Erm the 8800 series are directX10 cards OldBuzzard buddy

HawgsHead · Dec 30, 2006, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esaz666

Im building a system for someone,their quite loaded so ive got to choose between ati and nvidia sli.

my choices :-
nvidia 8800 gts x2
abit nforce 680i chipset(IN9-32x-max)
intel core duo e6700 lga 775 conroe ( :P )
cellshock 2gig 6400 800mhz memory.

or :-----------------------------------------

ati x1950 xt-x x2
abit intel 975x chipset (AW9D-Max)
intel core duo e6700 lga 775 conroe ( :P)
cellshock 2gig 6400 800mhz memory.

The guy mainly wants it for running flight sim x and stuff like that but flight sim x doesent use duel processors as far as I know.I prefer Ati cards myself but what do you think?I bet he'll not need a heater in his room!

No brainer....SLi.

H3X4D3C1M4L · Dec 31, 2006, 04:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HawgsHead

No brainer....SLi.

Have to agree... ease of setup especially...

OldBuzzard · Dec 31, 2006, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lelisevis

Erm the 8800 series are directX10 cards OldBuzzard buddy

I stand corrected

I don't pay too much attention to the Nvidia cards.

In that case the only thing that I'd add to that system is more RAM. FSX will use most of the 2 gig he's planning on, and if the guy is going to be running any of the various FS addons for FSX Like FSUIPC, ATC Control, RADAR, etc, then it's going to cut into the performance. I'd go for at least 4 gig.

He will get 'decent' performance in FSX with that system, but he still won't be able to run it at max IQ settings. I think we are at least 2 CPU/GPU generations away from having systems that will be capable of that.

Esaz666 · Jan 1, 2007, 04:17 PM

Cheers very much for the information,
I ran flight sim x on an oldish ati card at my mates and it was like a slide show!.
Its going to be good to build the system and drool until I pass it on.
I thought that the Sli would have been a bit faster,the new Nvidia nforce6 boards look pretty cool on spec as well.

btw. also would it be wise to get SLI ram, or is it just a gimmick?

Lelisevis · Jan 1, 2007, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esaz666

Cheers very much for the information,
I ran flight sim x on an oldish ati card at my mates and it was like a slide show!.
Its going to be good to build the system and drool until I pass it on.
I thought that the Sli would have been a bit faster,the new Nvidia nforce6 boards look pretty cool on spec as well.

btw. also would it be wise to get SLI ram, or is it just a gimmick?

Cant do you any harm it's only about £20 more, some nice SLi Ram on overclockers at the moment 2GB OCZ 6400 SLi. It's this weeks special and I wish I'd gotten it not that theres anything wrong with the Geil.

Judas · Jan 2, 2007, 01:02 PM

you'll need an insane PSU for the 2x 8800's in sli.... but they'll be probably close to 3 or 4 times faster then anything the crossfire x1950's could dish out.

HawgsHead · Jan 2, 2007, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judas

you'll need an insane PSU for the 2x 8800's in sli.... but they'll be probably close to 3 or 4 times faster then anything the crossfire x1950's could dish out.

nVidia recommends 1 kw.

Judas · Jan 2, 2007, 01:23 PM

I'd suggest more, as they tend to undercut themselves.....

BlueMak · Jan 2, 2007, 07:28 PM

Definitely go for 4GBs, also though I prefer crossfire, since from the two cards only the nvidia is dx10, go for dx10, unless you/he/she wants and can upgrade again later this year.

Judas · Jan 2, 2007, 07:41 PM

Blue, at this point, with vista around the corner, and the new ATI gpu working it's way to the NDA deadline and from my understanding being in damn good supply at launch (i can only hope as well).... it wouldn't be to bad of an idea to hold off if possible. Considering top of the line machines tend to drop in value quickly.

Lelisevis · Jan 2, 2007, 07:48 PM

Go for the GTS

The offical "I got a 8800 GTS/ GTX" thread

Look at my last post, I still havent found the limit for the GTS and I havent even started to play with my processor yet. 9500+ in 3d mark 06 here I come. From a single card £300 GPU. Can't be bad

. Now then to Sli or not to Sli that is the question

Esaz666 · Jan 3, 2007, 05:38 AM

the memory ive decided on is

Corsair DDR2 XMS2 Dominator PC2-8500C5 TwinX
thanks for the info about PSU i was going for 800watt an
Tagan ,I'll make it a 1000 model.
i'll post the 3dmark scores for it when ive got the parts and built it,i rekon its going to be damn fast.
I might buy one of these computers instead of new boiler for my house,
The central heating doesent work!, im sure it'll run quite hot with all these boards in it,it would cost about the same price

Judas · Jan 3, 2007, 01:33 PM

well with that machine, you'll have a new broiler, just leave your machine running 24/7, and it'll keep the house warm

HawgsHead · Jan 3, 2007, 03:02 PM

Mine arrived yesterday...the same thing U bought.Prettyest RAM I have EVER seen!!!It's going in my RIG with the 8800's.Did U get the fans too?They are SO cool!3 little fans that mount between the 2 sticks of RAM,like a bridge.Keeps them cool{in theory}.

Esaz666 · Jan 26, 2007, 12:58 PM

I ended up just giving the spec to the guy who wanted to buy instead( he thought he could build it himself and survive),
he bought the full nvidia sli system and 1000watt psu, im well glad i didnt end up building it.

He's ended up with loads of problems with the 680i chipset board! Resets all over the place and memory problems

i rekon he's pulled all his hair out by now,if i had built it it would have been on my toes.
btw. he did get the memory with the fans

the moral of the story : -
get something a bit cheaper that is stable and its nearly allways better to buy something after its been out a while.