So now, we are starting to get a verdict on the Radeon-HD-3870 X2 and Crossfire in general

[Demoth]

Though the best dual GPU card produced, as of right now it still puts out too much power at load for not enough advantage over a single OCed 8800 GT. The cost is also too high for the performance compared to a 8800GT or 9600GT SLi setup.

http://www.amdzone.com/index.p...-ati-radeon-hd-3870-x2

However, if buying now, you may want to consider a few things.

The 8800 series core (which includes the 9600GT and most likely the 9800s) is pretty much capped out and you'd be stuck with another identicle card if you eventually decide to go with a second card upgrade.

The 38XX series should be able to X-Fire with the 48XX and this includes the X2 versions running together provided you have a PSU powerful enough to handle it.

Even if you pick up a 3870 now for $190, by this summer it could still be a very useful part of a top end system in conjunction with a 4870 or 4870 X2. If you consider the rumored specs., this may be an inexpensive route to ensure inexpensive future upgrades, especially as we see cheap tri-crossfire boards come to market.

Even a 3870 owned today may possibly still be running in a tri system 2 years down the road with a 5870 X2 and 4870. Because of the nature of the diminishing returns with increased numbers of GPUs, that thrid card slot might ultimately be used for old cards.

It will be interesting to see how the 3870 X2 performs after the big ATI driver updates are complete this cycle.

Now, if Nvidia can get SLI working between generations and models like Crossfire, then we will see a good fight next round. However, if Nvidia sticks to the status quo, then they may be in for trouble.

As for the rumored specs and release date for the 48XX series, we still only have the one source that I know of, and it is very shakey-

http://www.nordichardware.com/news,7356.html

 

[Tempered81]

Which intel chipset boards have 3 or 4 pci-e slots? Buying a 3870 right now and seeing it in a rig with a 4870 and 5870X2 later on down the road sounds rediculously awesome.

or with a 4870x2 and an 4870 for a 4-gpu setup!!!

 

[Tempered81]

I wonder if we will be able to see quad 4870X2's. I'm sure they're working on it. 8 gpus ftw.

 

[Bateluer]

Originally posted by: jaredpace
I wonder if we will be able to see quad 4870X2's. I'm sure they're working on it. 8 gpus ftw.

We might finally be able to play games reliably at the native resolution of 30in displays!

Seriously though, is it just me, or are the 3870X2s selling out at the Egg on a regular basis? I've been looking every day and all the vendors of X2s have repeatedly gone out of stock. Whether this is because of supply problems, limited production, or users buying up the cards, I don't know. I hope its users buying up the cards. AMD needs the revenue.

 

[Demoth]

I don't know if AMD needs the revenue and suspect they might not want it right now. Call me a conspiracy theorist, but I suspect AMD is intentionally slowing the repair of Phenom to make the books look far worse as their settlements against Intel are decided by European and eventually American judges. AMD has a chance of walking away with a % of the total net-worth of Intel.

Regardless, AMD could stay afloat just fine simply because all creditors and investors know their victory against Intel worldwide is assured.

 

[Sylvanas]

New review, X2+3870 tri fire cat 8.3 vs Nv 174's. I'd say it's still very much worth it if you have the money, admittedly they should have used a higher rez in that review than 1600x1200 but you get the picture.

 

[taltamir]

conspiracy theories FTW...
In all honesty though, conspiring = planning something in secret.
What the hell is the CEO making all that money for if he DOESN'T conspire? what exactly is there for him to do except make plans and carry them to fruition. Plans like what demoth suggested, or any of other such things.

Interesting. In most games they annihilate, in some games a single 8800GTS 512 beats 3870x2 + 3870 (which is as high as they tested, no 2x3870x2)

I am wondering why they didnt show more games, more resolutions, more settings... and most importantly... SLI configurations... they nicely compared nvidia single cards to AMD crossfireX. But completely disregarded nvidia SLI.

 

[nitromullet]

Originally posted by: Sylvanas
New review, X2+3870 tri fire cat 8.3 vs Nv 174's. I'd say it's still very much worth it if you have the money, admittedly they should have used a higher rez in that review than 1600x1200 but you get the picture.

Looks like they used 1920x1200 and 1280x1024 to me. I'm definitely interested to see what the Cat 8.3s bring to the table. CrossfireX looks interesting, but I'm hoping they they'll bring other improvements to the drivers. There is an issue with enabling AAA in Whitcher and WoW that seriously needs to be addressed.

 

[rgallant]

Originally posted by: Sylvanas
New review, X2+3870 tri fire cat 8.3 vs Nv 174's. I'd say it's still very much worth it if you have the money, admittedly they should have used a higher rez in that review than 1600x1200 but you get the picture.

That review looks petty good, Ati might be getting some respect now from the mighty AMD now.
I'am sure these guys are not working 9-5 on this .After AMD cpu's failed ,ATI has been given a green light on a number of things, by the looks of the drivers released.and they seem to work.
Home town cheer ,but still own a Nvidia.(for now)

 

[rgallant]

Originally posted by: taltamir
conspiracy theories FTW...
In all honesty though, conspiring = planning something in secret.
What the hell is the CEO making all that money for if he DOESN'T conspire? what exactly is there for him to do except make plans and carry them to fruition. Plans like what demoth suggested, or any of other such things.

Interesting. In most games they annihilate, in some games a single 8800GTS 512 beats 3870x2 + 3870 (which is as high as they tested, no 2x3870x2)

I am wondering why they didnt show more games, more resolutions, more settings... and most importantly... SLI configurations... they nicely compared nvidia single cards to AMD crossfireX. But completely disregarded nvidia SLI.

[in some games a single 8800GTS 512 beats 3870x2 + 3870 (which is as high as they tested, no 2x3870x2)]

they wouldn't be the games Nvidia put a lot of money into would it ?

 

[rgallant]

Originally posted by: taltamir
conspiracy theories FTW...
In all honesty though, conspiring = planning something in secret.
What the hell is the CEO making all that money for if he DOESN'T conspire? what exactly is there for him to do except make plans and carry them to fruition. Plans like what demoth suggested, or any of other such things.

Interesting. In most games they annihilate, in some games a single 8800GTS 512 beats 3870x2 + 3870 (which is as high as they tested, no 2x3870x2)

I am wondering why they didnt show more games, more resolutions, more settings... and most importantly... SLI configurations... they nicely compared nvidia single cards to AMD crossfireX. [[But completely disregarded nvidia SLI.]]

]]

But the context of x ,is the fact you can use a lesser card to bump up the processing, which Nvidia can't do at this time, and it works, to some degree.

 

[xWilDx]

Originally posted by: rgallant

Originally posted by: taltamir
conspiracy theories FTW...
In all honesty though, conspiring = planning something in secret.
What the hell is the CEO making all that money for if he DOESN'T conspire? what exactly is there for him to do except make plans and carry them to fruition. Plans like what demoth suggested, or any of other such things.

Interesting. In most games they annihilate, in some games a single 8800GTS 512 beats 3870x2 + 3870 (which is as high as they tested, no 2x3870x2)

I am wondering why they didnt show more games, more resolutions, more settings... and most importantly... SLI configurations... they nicely compared nvidia single cards to AMD crossfireX. [[But completely disregarded nvidia SLI.]]

]]

But the context of x ,is the fact you can use a lesser card to bump up the processing, which Nvidia can't do at this time, and it works, to some degree.

Thats the sweet spot of Xfire cards thats why i opted for the sapphire x2 hd3870 i even heard a rumour of the sapphire atomic water cooled x2 hd3870's as usual waiting on drivers will be an issue!

 

[Tempered81]

Originally posted by: Sylvanas
New review, X2+3870 tri fire cat 8.3 vs Nv 174's. I'd say it's still very much worth it if you have the money, admittedly they should have used a higher rez in that review than 1600x1200 but you get the picture.

nice find!

 

[evolucion8]

Originally posted by: rgallant

Originally posted by: Sylvanas
New review, X2+3870 tri fire cat 8.3 vs Nv 174's. I'd say it's still very much worth it if you have the money, admittedly they should have used a higher rez in that review than 1600x1200 but you get the picture.

That review looks petty good, Ati might be getting some respect now from the mighty AMD now.
I'am sure these guys are not working 9-5 on this .After AMD cpu's failed ,ATI has been given a green light on a number of things, by the looks of the drivers released.and they seem to work.
Home town cheer ,but still own a Nvidia.(for now)

AMD didn't failed completely, cause their Quad Cores are comparable to Intel Quad Cores of the same speed, but they simply cannot be overclocked like Intel's Quad Core, hence, doesn't offer more bang for the buck for the end user.