Building new rig:
Intel DX38BT mobo
Intel QX9650 CPU
Crucial RAM 4 GB DDR3
PC Power Silencer 750 Quad
Vista Ultimate, 64-bit version
Originally had the XFX 8800GT. Something blew up the PSU--not blaming the XFX, just don't know what happened--so starting from scratch. Since this mobo is optimized for Crossfire anyway, and since I had kind of a weird feeling about the XFX after the gremlins shorted the rig out, I thought I'd maybe have another look at ATI cards. I know NV is current champ, but let's just say, for the sake of argument, that my choice is among one of these cards:
VisionTek 900202
VisionTek 900206
SAPPHIRE 100226L
ASUS EAH3850
I'm leaning towards the VisionTek 900202 Radeon HD 3870, but it's been awhile since I purchased an ATI-based card--basically since ATI was mostly making them, and all the company brands and choices are making my head spin. The price on the 3870 is fine, and from what I'm reading, it's not a bad choice (the 3870 and GDDR4, I mean).
But how are these companies to deal with? For example, on each of the cards I listed, how is the build quality? Tech support? Driver updates? (Or are we still getting those from ATI?)
So what's the current opinions on thse cards? Can I go wrong if I get the Visiontek 3870?
Also, if I've read the reviews correctly, you can mix and match a 3870 (now), and I could get a 3850 later for Crossfire?
Intel DX38BT mobo
Intel QX9650 CPU
Crucial RAM 4 GB DDR3
PC Power Silencer 750 Quad
Vista Ultimate, 64-bit version
Originally had the XFX 8800GT. Something blew up the PSU--not blaming the XFX, just don't know what happened--so starting from scratch. Since this mobo is optimized for Crossfire anyway, and since I had kind of a weird feeling about the XFX after the gremlins shorted the rig out, I thought I'd maybe have another look at ATI cards. I know NV is current champ, but let's just say, for the sake of argument, that my choice is among one of these cards:
VisionTek 900202
VisionTek 900206
SAPPHIRE 100226L
ASUS EAH3850
I'm leaning towards the VisionTek 900202 Radeon HD 3870, but it's been awhile since I purchased an ATI-based card--basically since ATI was mostly making them, and all the company brands and choices are making my head spin. The price on the 3870 is fine, and from what I'm reading, it's not a bad choice (the 3870 and GDDR4, I mean).
But how are these companies to deal with? For example, on each of the cards I listed, how is the build quality? Tech support? Driver updates? (Or are we still getting those from ATI?)
So what's the current opinions on thse cards? Can I go wrong if I get the Visiontek 3870?
Also, if I've read the reviews correctly, you can mix and match a 3870 (now), and I could get a 3850 later for Crossfire?
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