*****ANANDTECHS crossfire review*****

[5150Joker]

Originally posted by: Gamingphreek

The reason being that SLI is not as good as Crossfire

If they are solid, and you are neutral on this matter why are you saying that. All evidence points to a SLI having <1% advantage overall. In otherwords both technologies are equal. How can you say this, with no evidence, yet still be neutral.

However, it could be worthwhile for someone that owns an X850 and doesn't want to spend an upwards of $1000+ for 7800 GTX SLI/R520 Xfire setup.

If they are planning on keeping that setup for any length of time it would be much wiser to get SLI 6 series due to the features. You can downplay SM3 all you want earlier, however, now games that are supporting these technologies are hitting the market left and right. It simply would not make sense to SLI X8 series chips. The reason being, not because Crossfire isn't as good as SLI or anything like that, but because of the cards that are being linked.

While i find it hard to recommend SLIing 6 series chips right now, it makes more sense than the X8 series. When R520 comes out, that is when Crossfire will become a viable solution.

-Kevin

What games are coming out "left and right" and in what way do they provide any benefit by utilizing SM 3.0 vs SM 2.0? Simply put aside from UE 3 which is still awhile away, there is nothing on the market that will be worth getting excited over. It makes no sense at all for someone with an existing X850 card to sell it and then buy 2 6800 series cards for SLI - if they're going to go that far then they might as well get a 7800 GTX card. That's why I made it a point to note that getting an Xfire chipset and an additional X850 may be better overall because the xfire chipset may allow SLI to work with it as well. The X850 Xfire has already shown to be faster than the 6800 Ultra SLI (excluding D3 and UT2004 which Anandtech notes may be due to immature drivers) so downgrading the performance to get SM 3.0 makes no sense. It comes down to two choices for people that already own an X850 PCI-e card: Get a single 7800 GTX for ~$600 or spend ~$600 and get an Xfire board + X850. For people that think SM 3.0 is important, the former is a better choice than the latter. However for those that know better than to listen to marketing buzz words, they'll stick to their X850 cards and get a new chipset that should support both platforms. Of course the ideal setup is a SLI 7800 GTX but that is for people that have a lot of $ to burn.

 

[zendari]

There's rollo again, comparing $800+ SLI 6800 U to $550 7800 GTX!. Your notion that 6800 U SLI is great, while x850 xfire doesnt have much market, is delusional.

6800 U SLI at high res gaming

 

[Cookie Monster]

Zendari you have to look at two different ways. There are people who want alot of performance, without thinking of prices etc, while theres people who think about both performance and price.

The 6800U still provides a punch compared to the 7800GTx and thats what rollo is pointing out. It doesnt sound logical to many to get 6800U sli intsead of 7800 GTX, but there are people out there who wants just fast performance. People with loads of cash. But for those you are even more loaded would go off buy 7800GTX sli.

The majority of people care about where their spending the money. If i had a load of cash for PC, i wouldnt really care about prices anyhow. Would you?

 

[zendari]

If you have loads of money, you'd just buy 7800 GTX SLI. It's only a couple hundred dollars more and performs far better, I hardly believe someone would spend $800+ on video cards then have their back broken by another $200 more.

 

[nRollo]

Originally posted by: zendari
There's rollo again, comparing $800+ SLI 6800 U to $550 7800 GTX!. Your notion that 6800 U SLI is great, while x850 xfire doesnt have much market, is delusional.

6800 U SLI at high res gaming

Errrr, Zendari, I was replying to a post that stated there was no reason to buy 6800 SLI with 7800s available?

"Hooked on Phonics" might help?

 

[nRollo]

Originally posted by: zendari
If you have loads of money, you'd just buy 7800 GTX SLI. It's only a couple hundred dollars more and performs far better, I hardly believe someone would spend $800+ on video cards then have their back broken by another $200 more.

More nonsense.

Why does anyone buy X800XLs then, not just X850XT PEs? Or 6800GTs instead of 7800GTXs? It's only $200 more? That won't "break their back" will it? :roll:

You look at things from your point of view, and post BS about anyone who disagrees.

I am starting to think you're just a malcontent on the board- you never post benches, never post links, just "Waaah I hate you". Pretty sad.

 

[nRollo]

Originally posted by: Creig

Originally posted by: Rollo
I am not saying this to flame you or your 9500NP.

Once again Rollo has to slide in my use of a soft-modded 9500NP to show EVERYBODY that his system is so much better than mine. It's simply sad you feel the need to continue doing this to feed your ego as I'm still happy with its performance and will upgrade when I feel it's necessary. It's especially pathetic so soon after you posted:

Originally posted by: Rollo
Only a very small man cares if he has the "best" of a material possession, and for how long.

I really wish you would stop this. I

said in the post that I was not trying to belittle your system, only point out that it's a lot easier for you to say "Spend your $1000 on what I say" when you aren't doing that and have no loss involved.

You're in effect saying 'Do as I say, not as I do". (not practicing what you preach)

I am saying "Do as I do" and "Practicing what I preach".

I can't figure out if you're trying to twist what I say to get sympathy, or another half baked attempt to get me banned. Whatever the case, I stated clearly:

am not saying this to flame you or your 9500NP

.

 

[Ackmed]

Originally posted by: Rollo

:roll:

None at all.....

Doom3 75fps 6800U SLI vs 54 7800GTX

FEAR 49fps 6800SLI vs 40 7800GTX

SC:CT 73fps 6800U SLI vs 59 7800GTX

BF2 44fps 6800U SLI vs 38 7800GTX

The 6800U SLI and 6800GT SLI are very powerful gaming solutions. The release of the 7800GTX doesn't change that.

Differences between your opinion and mine Zendari?
A. I provided links to back my views.
B. I actually own and use all the hardware in question daily, you've only read about it.

Whoa, talk about hand picked benches.

Its funny that you use 1600x1200 in all, but the BF2 one you linked to. Could it be, that the 7800GTX is faster at 1600x1200 4x/16x than 6800U SLI.. ? Yeah, I think thats it.

Since you like to handpick numbers, let me try my hand at that game.

From the same review you linked to, but the numbers you *forgot* to link:

Farcry 66 fps6800U SLI vs 66fps 7800GTX

Farcry HDR 21fps 6800U SLI vs 30fps 7800GTX

^^ The HDR you always like to bring up

Pacific Fighters 59fps 6800U SLI vs 57fps 7800GTX

BF2 61fps 6800U SLI vs 64fps 7800GTX

Yeah there may be some reasons to have 6800U SLI right now, but there are more reasons to have a single 7800GTX. Anyone buying a new 6800U SLI setup, who doesnt get a very, very good price, just isnt using common sense.

 

[nRollo]

Originally posted by: Ackmed
Yeah there may be some reasons to have 6800U SLI right now, but there are more reasons to have a single 7800GTX.

Gee Ackmed thanks for helping make my point!

You're usually flaming me, but I appreciate you lending a hand and refuting Zendari's wacky claim:

There is simply no reason to SLI a 6800 card with the 7800s available

That's what this board is all about- friends helping each sort out the gaming hardware! :beer:

 

[BFG10K]

Why does anyone buy X800XLs then, not just X850XT PEs? Or 6800GTs instead of 7800GTXs? It's only $200 more?

Indeed. You'd have to be a loon to pimp a 6600GT SLI or 6800 SLI setup as viable instead of just buying a single faster card.

 

[zendari]

Originally posted by: Rollo

Originally posted by: zendari
If you have loads of money, you'd just buy 7800 GTX SLI. It's only a couple hundred dollars more and performs far better, I hardly believe someone would spend $800+ on video cards then have their back broken by another $200 more.

More nonsense.

Why does anyone buy X800XLs then, not just X850XT PEs? Or 6800GTs instead of 7800GTXs? It's only $200 more? That won't "break their back" will it? :roll:

You look at things from your point of view, and post BS about anyone who disagrees.

I am starting to think you're just a malcontent on the board- you never post benches, never post links, just "Waaah I hate you". Pretty sad.

Um, when you are spending $250 on a card, tacking on $200 more is a bit different than when you spend $800 on a card?

Indeed. You'd have to be Rollo to pimp a 6600GT SLI or 6800 SLI setup as viable instead of just buying a single faster card.

agreed.


Rollo must either own significant amounts of Nvidia stock or work for the company.

 

[nRollo]

Originally posted by: zendari
Rollo must either own significant amounts of Nvidia stock or work for the company.

Could be I just have a little more common sense than you? nVidia stock is not within my holdings, and I work in the software industry.

 

[Ackmed]

Originally posted by: Rollo

Originally posted by: Ackmed
Yeah there may be some reasons to have 6800U SLI right now, but there are more reasons to have a single 7800GTX.

Gee Ackmed thanks for helping make my point!

You're usually flaming me, but I appreciate you lending a hand and refuting Zendari's wacky claim:

There is simply no reason to SLI a 6800 card with the 7800s available

That's what this board is all about- friends helping each sort out the gaming hardware! :beer:

Once again, your hand pick what you want to hear. Lets recap my last statement, "Anyone buying a new 6800U SLI setup, who doesnt get a very, very good price, just isnt using common sense." Seeing how the 7800GTX is very comparable to 6800U's in SLI, for a lot less money, less heat, less noise, less power, and less driver problems.

Add the fact that you could get 7800GTX's in SLI, for a little more than two 6800U's, buying two 6800U's for SLI is pretty useless right now.

But hey, make yourself a poll, and see if people would rather spend around $900 on two 6800U's, or about $530 on one 7800GTX. I think we all know how that poll would turn out.

 

[nRollo]

He said there was NO REASON Ackie.

When I can whip up a handful of benches on modern games that show significant performance increases, that is what we call "a reason".

Whether it might be preferable overall to own one 7800GTX is irrelevant. He said "no reason". You can't refute what you wish was said, only what really was said.

 

[HDTVMan]

Well it requires a Mobo and another video card.

I can assume the mobo is around 150 and another video card for 350+ making 500.00.

I would just sell the current video card and buy a 7800 or R520 when it comes out.

 

[zendari]

Originally posted by: Rollo
He said there was NO REASON Ackie.

When I can whip up a handful of benches on modern games that show significant performance increases, that is what we call "a reason".

Whether it might be preferable overall to own one 7800GTX is irrelevant. He said "no reason". You can't refute what you wish was said, only what really was said.

Continue to nitpick semantics if you wish. OK, fine, if you are rather deluded, you can come up with some odd reason to spend loads more money on 6800 SLI. Continue to spout the Nvidia warchants, I won't get in your way.

I think common sense walked out on you when you traded for that 5800 U.

 

[zendari]

Rollo 2002: 9700 pro? who the heck pays $400 for a videocard? And you dont need antialiasing jaggies arent important.

Rollo 2003: 5800 U is such a coooool card, noise doesnt matter for a card, we aren't old people with sensitive ears.
9800 Pro? Damn ati re-releasing the same core, they aren't getting my money again thats for sure!
5800 U is better than 9800 pro! Who cares about dual slot? Who carse about noise? Who cares about AF? Who cares about PS2.0?
PS2.0? We dont need no stinking PS2.0! Shiny pipes smack smack, reflective water smack smack.
Halflife 2? Nope its a beta, doesnt count. Vouchers? ATI cant make a card so they have to bribe the company!
Wallet raider wallet raider wallet raider wallet raider

Rollo 2004: Farcry? Nope not good enough the 9800 pro clearly sucks, can only run the game at 10x7. Who cares if both cards suck. when 1 only gets 50 fps and the other gets 30 fps with crappy IQ.
Driver hacks? Quack quack quack.
NV40 is coming out in only 5 months, only a fool buys a videocard when something new is coming.
6800 U arrives! The messiah!
x800? vaporware. plus Damn ati rere-releasing the same core, they aren't getting my money again thats for sure!
why buy a faster card when it means giving up big features? Everyone needs sm3.0
ati can't do partial precision. can't make a new graphics card. who wants 2002 tech in 2004?
ati couldn't figure out PS3.
doom3 is awesome! Lets buy a 6800 U for all the dozens of D3 engine games that won't be released anytime soon.
HL2? crappy game crappy graphics crappy engine.
Farcry has SM3..bet those fools who bought ATI feel bad now, never mind that 6800 U with SM3 is still slower than x800 with SM2.

Rollo 2005:
SLI! 6800 U SLI is faster than x850 XT! 2 nvidia cards beat 1 ati card, who would have thought? get nextgen performance now with SLI!
Farcry HDR, omg wow shiny pipes reflective water! I can run it only at 2002 resolutions, but better to have it than not right?
omg wow soft shadows? I can run it only at 2002 resolutions, but better to have it than not right?
$600 for a 7800 GTX is defeintely worth it when its faster and cheaper than 6800 U SLI.
You can buy 6800 U SLI over $500 7800 GTX, but not xfire, even though xfire is faster than 6800 U sli
omg wow I can run highres shiny pipes with my $1200 gpus!
ATI cant figure out SM3 still, no R520 in sight.
Why wait when you can buy a graphics card now and enjoy it!
You don't need anti-aliasing anymore, you have HDR!

 

[Cookie Monster]

Zendari... tsk tsk tsk :disgust:

Look at you? does that make you feel better?
If you know rollo is wrong, why talk to him in the same level as he is? (no offence rollo)

This is "pure" trolling. Are you here to harass rollo? hes only sharing his opinions. Thats not the end of the world you know. This is a forum!!! The act you took can probably get you banned i reckon.

Word Vomit...

You shouldve realised this..

 

[CP5670]

that was fun to read though.

 

[Creig]

Originally posted by: Rollo
I really wish you would stop this. I

said in the post that I was not trying to belittle your system, only point out that it's a lot easier for you to say "Spend your $1000 on what I say" when you aren't doing that and have no loss involved.

You're in effect saying 'Do as I say, not as I do". (not practicing what you preach)

I am saying "Do as I do" and "Practicing what I preach".

I can't figure out if you're trying to twist what I say to get sympathy, or another half baked attempt to get me banned. Whatever the case, I stated clearly:

am not saying this to flame you or your 9500NP

Riiiiggghhhttt..... So if you WEREN'T trying to belittle my system, why even bring it up?

I don't tell ANYBODY to spend their money on X or Y. I give them my honest opinion on what I think would work best for what they want to be able to do, at the lowest price possible. But I don't think I've ever TOLD anybody what to buy.

You keep assuming that because you spend ungodly amounts of money on computer equipment that your opinion somehow matters more than anybody else's. It doesn't. I constantly read articles, websites and chat with IT people in order to keep up with the latest technology news. Although I don't know as much as some people, I do know more than others and I feel my opinions come from a good base of information.

I'm not looking for sympathy and although I think my time spent in these forums would be much more enjoyable without your particular "contributions", I'm not actively trying to get you banned.

I've stated numerous times that I'm happy with my current system performance. I'm simply pointing out yet once again how you say one thing...

Only a very small man cares if he has the "best" of a material possession, and for how long"

and then slip in a comment like...

I am not saying this to flame you or your 9500NP

So it would be nice if you actually listened to your own advice and "practiced what you preached". The people in these forums aren't stupid and can see right through your little word games.

You seem completely unable to comprehend the fact that some people may still be happily gaming without "soft shadows".

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: Creig

Originally posted by: Rollo
I really wish you would stop this. I

said in the post that I was not trying to belittle your system, only point out that it's a lot easier for you to say "Spend your $1000 on what I say" when you aren't doing that and have no loss involved.

You're in effect saying 'Do as I say, not as I do". (not practicing what you preach)

I am saying "Do as I do" and "Practicing what I preach".

I can't figure out if you're trying to twist what I say to get sympathy, or another half baked attempt to get me banned. Whatever the case, I stated clearly:

am not saying this to flame you or your 9500NP

Riiiiggghhhttt..... So if you WEREN'T trying to belittle my system, why even bring it up?

I don't tell ANYBODY to spend their money on X or Y. I give them my honest opinion on what I think would work best for what they want to be able to do, at the lowest price possible. But I don't think I've ever TOLD anybody what to buy.

You keep assuming that because you spend ungodly amounts of money on computer equipment that your opinion somehow matters more than anybody else's. It doesn't. I constantly read articles, websites and chat with IT people in order to keep up with the latest technology news. Although I don't know as much as some people, I do know more than others and I feel my opinions come from a good base of information.

I'm not looking for sympathy and although I think my time spent in these forums would be much more enjoyable without your particular "contributions", I'm not actively trying to get you banned.

I've stated numerous times that I'm happy with my current system performance. I'm simply pointing out yet once again how you say one thing...

Only a very small man cares if he has the "best" of a material possession, and for how long"

and then slip in a comment like...

I am not saying this to flame you or your 9500NP

So it would be nice if you actually listened to your own advice and "practiced what you preached". The people in these forums aren't stupid and can see right through your little word games.

You seem completely unable to comprehend the fact that some people may still be happily gaming without "soft shadows".

If I may, who would people be more inclined to listen to about an SLI system? You, or Rollo. We'll, we know you have a 9500, and we know Rollo has/had almost every combination of SLI setups that have been available. 6600GT's, 6800nu's, 6800GT's, and now 7800GTX's. Your 9500 was most likely brought up to give an example why it would be better not to take your advice on an SLI setup of any kind. Sure, you can be knowledgable about SLI, very knowledgable, but somehow I can't see myself taking the advice from someone who has never physically seen an SLI setup (in person) let alone use one, over someone who has in GREAT depth. This has absolutely nothing to do with the "ranking" of your rig/card, whatever. If someone has a question about a 9500, you da man.
I really want you to work on the way you bring whatever points you have, to the table. Try it with some class and you will be listened to. Once in a rare while, you and I agree on something, but for the most part, we don't. Even though what I just typed makes perfect and logical sense, I hope you don't try to find ways to discredit it or tear it up for no good reason.

 

[Creig]

Originally posted by: keysplayr2003
If I may, who would people be more inclined to listen to about an SLI system? You, or Rollo. We'll, we know you have a 9500, and we know Rollo has/had almost every combination of SLI setups that have been available. 6600GT's, 6800nu's, 6800GT's, and now 7800GTX's. Your 9500 was most likely brought up to give an example why it would be better not to take your advice on an SLI setup of any kind. Sure, you can be knowledgable about SLI, very knowledgable, but somehow I can't see myself taking the advice from someone who has never physically seen an SLI setup (in person) let alone use one, over someone who has in GREAT depth. This has absolutely nothing to do with the "ranking" of your rig/card, whatever. If someone has a question about a 9500, you da man.
I really want you to work on the way you bring whatever points you have, to the table. Try it with some class and you will be listened to. Once in a rare while, you and I agree on something, but for the most part, we don't. Even though what I just typed makes perfect and logical sense, I hope you don't try to find ways to discredit it or tear it up for no good reason.

Knowledge is knowledge. Let's try this example. You made a written SLI test and gave it to Person A who owns SLI and Person B who doesn't. Person B (who doesn't own it) ended up scoring higher than Person A (who does). Would you still take SLI advice from Person A over person B?

Simply owning hardware doesn't automatically imbue its owner with knowledge. Would you say that EVERY person who owns SLI knows more about it than me simply because they own it?


It's not a question of what a person owns, but their knowledge and attitude. Rollo may know SLI and Nvidia, but I wouldn't trust his opinion on what to buy because he is so firmly biased in favor of Nvidia.

I will recommend either Nvidia or ATI based on what the person wants to use it for, and their budget.

Can you honestly say that Rollo would do the same?

 

[MegaWorks]

Originally posted by: Rollo

Originally posted by: MegaWorks
I'm impressed. :thumbsup:

I don't think there is much market for this after reading that review, here's why:

1. If you have a X850 already, you're going to buy a new motherboard, maybe PSU, and an expensive master card to get faster SM2 performance? In mid 2005? IIRC the X850 master was $550., these motherboards might be fairly high priced at first, and are basically beta boards. You could set yourself up with 7800GTs in a couple weeks for less, probably get the same performance. (and these aren't out either- we'll see which makes it first.

2. 6800U/SLI mobo owner: no compelling performance reason to switch

3. 7800GTX/SLI owner: downgrade

The real value of this will be shown with R520.

Well I'm a big fan of the duel core solution, I still remember my Rage Fury MAXX what a beautiful card. But I don?t know if I really use much of it if I buy a duel card setup now, I only play at 1078x768 AA 4x/AF 8X.

I?ll wait and see ATI?s R520 performance with one card and duel solution before I buy my next system.

 

[nRollo]

Originally posted by: zendari

Rollo 2002: 9700 pro? who the heck pays $400 for a videocard? And you dont need antialiasing jaggies arent important.

I bought a 9700Pro within 2 weeks of its release, and used it in my primary rig for 8 months. How about you?

Rollo 2003: 5800 U is such a coooool card, noise doesnt matter for a card, we aren't old people with sensitive ears.
9800 Pro? Damn ati re-releasing the same core, they aren't getting my money again thats for sure!
5800 U is better than 9800 pro! Who cares about dual slot? Who carse about noise? Who cares about AF? Who cares about PS2.0?
PS2.0? We dont need no stinking PS2.0! Shiny pipes smack smack, reflective water smack smack.

I had a 9800 Pro in my box within a month of it's launch. I had a 9700Pro 5 months, a 9800Pro 5 months, and a OCd 5800 two months. I tried both, bought high end of both companies, did you? DX9 didn't matter then, no games, and on those cards, doesn't matter NOW. (too weak!)

Halflife 2? Nope its a beta, doesnt count. Vouchers? ATI cant make a card so they have to bribe the company!
Wallet raider wallet raider wallet raider wallet raider

Wallet Raider was a benchmarking JOKE, unlike the games with nV only features NOW- SC:CT, Far Cry, Riddick. All big games, loved by reviewers and owners alike. TRAOD was hated by all. HL2 wasn't even beta then- it would be another year before it was released.

Rollo 2004: Farcry? Nope not good enough the 9800 pro clearly sucks, can only run the game at 10x7. Who cares if both cards suck. when 1 only gets 50 fps and the other gets 30 fps with crappy IQ.
Driver hacks? Quack quack quack.
NV40 is coming out in only 5 months, only a fool buys a videocard when something new is coming.
6800 U arrives! The messiah!

It was, and it came out 2 months after Far Cry. 9800Pros look like like Voodoo2s running Far Cry.

x800? vaporware. plus Damn ati rere-releasing the same core, they aren't getting my money again thats for sure!
why buy a faster card when it means giving up big features? Everyone needs sm3.0
ati can't do partial precision. can't make a new graphics card. who wants 2002 tech in 2004?
ati couldn't figure out PS3.

All true, not my fault.

doom3 is awesome! Lets buy a 6800 U for all the dozens of D3 engine games that won't be released anytime soon.
HL2? crappy game crappy graphics crappy engine.
Farcry has SM3..bet those fools who bought ATI feel bad now, never mind that 6800 U with SM3 is still slower than x800 with SM2.

I liked Doom 3 by far the best of these three, that is for sure. D3 games out soon!

Rollo 2005:
SLI! 6800 U SLI is faster than x850 XT! 2 nvidia cards beat 1 ati card, who would have thought? get nextgen performance now with SLI!

True dat!

Farcry HDR, omg wow shiny pipes reflective water! I can run it only at 2002 resolutions, but better to have it than not right?
omg wow soft shadows? I can run it only at 2002 resolutions, but better to have it than not right?
$600 for a 7800 GTX is defeintely worth it when its faster and cheaper than 6800 U SLI.
You can buy 6800 U SLI over $500 7800 GTX, but not xfire, even though xfire is faster than 6800 U sli

Except Crossfire ISN't faster always, the AA doesn't work, the motherboards are beta, and the whole mess is currently vaporware, so you can't really compare it to stuff that works great?

omg wow I can run highres shiny pipes with my $1200 gpus!
ATI cant figure out SM3 still, no R520 in sight.
Why wait when you can buy a graphics card now and enjoy it!
You don't need anti-aliasing anymore, you have HDR!

Hey, I have 16X AA, but whatever floats your troll boat Zendari!

LOL- eveyrthing you quoted me saying is true, what you said is false, and you forgot: I bought a 9700Pro, 9800Pro, and X800XT PE and I bet you didn't. I'll buy and use a R520, and I bet you won't.

So you keep whining about how I'm "biased" and wasting everybodies time Zendari- I'll keep enjoying and testing the cards.

Gee, I wonder who is more valuable to the board?

Rollo: Buys all the new hardware, benches, takes requests.

Zendari: little flamer complaining about my perspective because he doesn't agree?

Tough call there- are you as much an asset in your real life as your online life?

 

[nRollo]

Originally posted by: MegaWorks

Originally posted by: Rollo

Originally posted by: MegaWorks
I'm impressed. :thumbsup:

I don't think there is much market for this after reading that review, here's why:

1. If you have a X850 already, you're going to buy a new motherboard, maybe PSU, and an expensive master card to get faster SM2 performance? In mid 2005? IIRC the X850 master was $550., these motherboards might be fairly high priced at first, and are basically beta boards. You could set yourself up with 7800GTs in a couple weeks for less, probably get the same performance. (and these aren't out either- we'll see which makes it first.

2. 6800U/SLI mobo owner: no compelling performance reason to switch

3. 7800GTX/SLI owner: downgrade

The real value of this will be shown with R520.

Well I'm a big fan of the duel core solution, I still remember my Rage Fury MAXX what a beautiful card. But I don?t know if I really use much of it if I buy a duel card setup now, I only play at 1078x768 AA 4x/AF 8X.

I?ll wait and see ATI?s R520 performance with one card and duel solution before I buy my next system.

Woot! The MAXX was teh roxor! The MAXX, 5800U, and V5 are my favorite single cards of all time.