Modifying build... due to new ATI cards

[rockx4]

Well, I finally had a new gaming build set... and was about to order, then saw the benchmarks of the new ATI cards..

Old build
1: Antec 900 Case
2: Intel Q6600 CPU (planning to OC)
3: EVGA 9800 GTX (currently already have this from May, planning to step up when the new cards are out for SLi)
4: EVGA 750i motherboard
5: G.Skill 8GB 2x(2x2GB) DDR2 1066 kits
6: Vista 64 and XP 32

New Build
1: Antec P182 Case
2: Intel Q6600 CPU
3: ATI 2x4850 (or 4870)
4: Intel X38 or X48 motherboard
5: G.Skill 8GB 2x(2x2GB) DDR2 1066 kits
6: Vista 64 and XP 32
7: Antec TPQ-850 850W PSU

This changes a few things, since now I'll be getting 2 ATI cards, either the 2x4850 or 4870x2 (or xfire)... and that means a new motherboard. I orginally intended on getting the EVGA 750i for SLI. I've never owned an ATI card, or ever considered looking into motherboards with crossfire in mind.

My new build would swap out the Antec 900 for the Antec P182. I'm currently eyeing an x38 motherboard. How much difference is there between this and the x48? I'll probably be keeping the Q6600.

Also, I was looking at this Antec PSU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817371009

Anyone know if that is up to the task for 4870 crossfire?

 

[akhilles]

X38 & X48 are the same thing, but X38 should've been what X48 is. Intel rushed it out. Some say X48 supports FSB1600. Some X38 can do the same with bios updates. The only difference I heard about is that X48 uses a tad higher voltage for the chipset. In other words, if you try (some have done do) to flash X38 to X48, chances are you get out of whack voltages & may destroy the mobo due to overheating.

Go with GA-X38-DS4 or EX38-DS4 which is the sweetspot in terms of price & performance.

 

[MarcVenice]

I don't know to much about motherboards, but how about the DFI LANPARTY DK X38 ?

As for the Antec PSU, fine choice Rockx4. It will handle 2 4870's no problemo. It has 2x6 pin and 2x8 pin though, the only thing I'm unsure about is if you it's possible to plug in a 8pin into a 6 pin Some PSU's come with 6+2 pin though, so you can do both, hence my confusion.

 

[rockx4]

Are the open box items reliable at newegg? Also, how do the intel branded boards differ from gigabyte and such? Less features?

 

[akhilles]

Open boxes should be avoided unless it's half price & has the same warranty as the new one.

Intel boards are built for stability. Not a good overclocker. Gigabyte is newbie-friendly. Any monkey can overclock it. ASUS has a bit more features like saving bios settings to 2 profiles. DFI is the king of overclockers and have 5 bios profiles, but it's not for beginners. You can't go wrong with Gigabyte.