Balance: Video Card & Card

[Resh]

Looking for your views on where I'm best to spend some cash on my move to S939/PCIe.

Option 1: 3500+ (Retail Venice) + X800XL 256MB (Asus or MSI)
Cost: $540

Option 2: 3200+ (Retail Venice) + X850XT (Connect3D)
Cost: $540

Option 3: 3200+ (Retail Venice) + X800XL 256MB (Asus or MSI) (suggested by Valkerie)
Cost: $465

I'm also concerned about noise and I've read that the Connect3D cooling system on the X850XT is pretty lame, but I don't know if other X850XT options are any better.

So which option would you choose?

Do you have ideas on X850XT cards with good HSF and good fan control?

Thanks!

 

[Valkerie]

3200 + x800XL

Artic Silver will do the trick

 

[Resh]

Ooops: topic should read Balance between Video Card & CPU

 

[Matt2]

If this is going to be your last upgrade for a while then go with option #2 and OC the 3200+ as games get more demanding.

Also, I wouldnt reccomend the 3500+. Anything above a 3200+ I would go with the 3700+ San Diego. You lose a lot of OC headroom when getting a 3500+.

If you can, get a 3700+ and X800XL. Then later on down the road, sell the X800XL and purchase a mid-range card from the next generation of GPUs. This way you are future proofing yourself a little better.

If not, then option #2 or #3 are good choices.

 

[Resh]

Thanks Matt. I'm taking your advice on the X850XT PE. Hope they have stock.

N