On X1950: "Crossfire" and just XTX, will work together?

[9nines]

ATI's press release states: "The new Radeon® X1950 XTX and Radeon® X1950 CrossFire? Edition work together or individually to deliver the ultimate gaming performance available today"

It is confusing because in a X1950 review, this website states: "Before we close, one reminder to people who really want the X1950 XTX: don't buy it. Pick up the X1950 CrossFire instead. For the same price and performance you get a much more versatile solution."

Which is correct? Assuming you have a crossfire motherboard, do both cards have to be "Crossfire" ones or do you just need one to be "Crossfire" and the other can be the non-crossfire XTX one and still worktogetehr in "Crossfire" mode?


I am wondering because while the price might be the same, I assume the non-Crossfire XTX one will be easier to find next week and my current MB is not crossfire anyway. So if teh jsut XTX one can later work with a X1950 Crossfire, on a Crossfire MB, I will just get XTX one if easier to find.

Anyone know the story?

Thanks.

 

[LittleNemoNES]

The 2 statements are not exclusive to each other. If you read more carefully, you will realize that it still holds true.

ATI's not gonna tell you 2 get 2 Crossfire edition cards

 

[9nines]

I am still confused. Are you stating that one would need two "Crossfire" cards plus the "Crossfire" MB for them to work together or just one "Crossfire" card, same chipset non-Crossfire card and "Crossfire" MB?

 

[jiffylube1024]

Here's the reason. Pricing is similar for the X1950XTX and X1950 Crossfire. Unlike the X1900 Crossfire edition (which only has the clockspeed of an X1900XT, not an XTX), the X1950 Crossfire edition is the full speed of an X1950.

Why they suggest getting the Crossfire Edition (noted as "CE" after this), is that it gives you more flexibility down the line if you decided to run dual cards one day. So, you could pick up an X1900XT, X1900XTX or X1950XTX and crossfire it with the X1950 CE. The beauty of this is that X1900XT's (and in some cases XTX's) can be found for a very good deal online sometimes.

If you get the X1950XTX, then your crossfire options are more limited. You either break the bank (again) to buy the X1950XTX CE, or you find a cheaper X1900 CE. The problem with this is that, as said before, X1900 only runs at the speed of an XT, yet is often priced higher.

Basically the idea is that non-crossfire cards are much more abundant, and easier to find on sale. So, if you own a crossfire card already, you've got the more rare card in there, and now you can throw in any old X1900 series to get Crossfire up and running. It's a smart idea if you think about it.

---------------

The only thing I'm not sure of is this: Can you run dual display with a crossfire card? I assume you can -- one on the dongle, one on the second DVI port on the card. Can anyone with Crossfire confirm this?

 

[BassBomb]

X1950Crossfire is compatible with the X1900XT(X) ??? would that mean the ram would downclock like crazy?

 

[Golgatha]

Originally posted by: BassBomb
X1950Crossfire is compatible with the X1900XT(X) ??? would that mean the ram would downclock like crazy?

It would still be bada$$ fast though. Can you Crossfire a X1950 with the X1900 series? If so, there might be an upgrade in my future.

Edit: Searched it on Google and the X1900 series can Crossfire with a X1950. Crossfire with heat exhausting out the back in a quiet environment FTW!

 

[Ackmed]

Originally posted by: BassBomb
X1950Crossfire is compatible with the X1900XT(X) ??? would that mean the ram would downclock like crazy?

No, X1900's do not down clock. Never have.

 

[LittleNemoNES]

Originally posted by: Ackmed

Originally posted by: BassBomb
X1950Crossfire is compatible with the X1900XT(X) ??? would that mean the ram would downclock like crazy?

No, X1900's do not down clock. Never have.

So true.