What would I benefit more from?

[AdamMT1618]

What would I benefit more from, an Opteron 170 to OC or another EVGA 7800 GT CO to SLI?

Currently I have an AMD 64 3500, 2GB Ballistix, eVGA 7800 GT CO, 74GB Raptor.

I am preparing for Oblivion.

Thanks.

 

[SynthDude2001]

You'd probably benefit more in games from the second 7800GT, assuming you run at high resolutions anyway. Opteron 170's are very nice (I have one), but the 3500+ is still a great CPU and you don't really "need" dual-core for gaming right now. (Unless of course Oblivion is going to make use of dual CPU's; I haven't really heard much about the game so I don't know.)

 

[AdamMT1618]

Originally posted by: SynthDude2001
You'd probably benefit more in games from the second 7800GT, assuming you run at high resolutions anyway. Opteron 170's are very nice (I have one), but the 3500+ is still a great CPU and you don't really "need" dual-core for gaming right now. (Unless of course Oblivion is going to make use of dual CPU's; I haven't really heard much about the game so I don't know.)

Oblivion will take advantage of dual core according to there website.

Such a tough decision, I want the best experience in this game without having an XBOX 360.

 

[SynthDude2001]

Originally posted by: AdamMT1618

Originally posted by: SynthDude2001
You'd probably benefit more in games from the second 7800GT, assuming you run at high resolutions anyway. Opteron 170's are very nice (I have one), but the 3500+ is still a great CPU and you don't really "need" dual-core for gaming right now. (Unless of course Oblivion is going to make use of dual CPU's; I haven't really heard much about the game so I don't know.)

Oblivion will take advantage of dual core according to there website.

Such a tough decision, I want the best experience in this game without having an XBOX 360.

Hard to say then. As far as I know, there aren't any games yet that really take advantage of multiple CPU's/cores yet, so it's anyone's guess as to what kind of performance enhancements we'll see from such optimizations. Unless you're playing at 1280x1024 or below, I'd still guess that the second video card would help more - but until the game actually comes out, all anyone can really do is guess.

Your computer is (obviously) fast as is, it might be better to wait until it's closer to the game's release and benchmark numbers become available...

 

[bamacre]

Wait for the game to actually come out, then see what you need.

 

[goobernoodles]

What IS oblivion?

 

[SilentZero]

Honestly I would go with the extra 7800gt, just because if you are going to go dual core and its not something you need or care to do right away, then the benefits of waiting and letting prices fall/speeds rise would be greater than getting the 170 Opteron now.

 

[gi0rgi0]

Man, im in the same predicament as you right now. Although im thinking of getting another gt and the cpu. But I was thinking if i want to oc the cpu id then have to buy some better
ram. Im oc'd to around 2.5 now. But wouldnt mind a dual core. Plus we could sell the 3500 for a fair price still to make up some of the difference.

How are those ballistix ? What speed are they ? I currently have 2x1 gig of patriot 3200 but I cant oc 1:1 with them. And I cant seem to get any higher.

 

[ribbon13]

As an ex-Zenimax employee; The programming team at Bethesda is using an Opteron 180 as Oblivion's 'high-end' test platform. The engine is a highly modified Havok Physics and will definately take advantage of 1MB L2 cache's and SMP. Given your system, and the likelyhood that you aren't opposed to upgrading anyway, I'd say go dual-core. Because you know in the end you're going to get dual-core AND SLI. And GPU prices drop faster than CPU prices. The latest nVidia drivers support SMP.

If you want some sweet RAM gi0rgi0 check at the Mushkin Redline.

 

[alimoalem]

get nothing for now, wait for it to come out and see if you have enough for both

 

[Wentelteefje]

Do we have someone who doesn't know what Oblivion is...? Check the screens... Don't forget to close your mouth and wipe off whatever you drooled on...

EDIT: Waiting is my advice too...

 

[d2arcturus]

Originally posted by: goobernoodles
What IS oblivion?

Why, the next iteration in the Elder Scrolls series knave. Hast thou been living in a hole?

I am firmly anti-SLI, although I'm not totally sure why. I guess I've always felt it's a waste of money. A dual core CPU would provide wider range of enhancements to your machine over SLI, and save your money.

 

[Yreka]

Just skimp on xmas presents and get both.

 

[gi0rgi0]

Originally posted by: ribbon13
As an ex-Zenimax employee; The programming team at Bethesda is using an Opteron 180 as Oblivion's 'high-end' test platform. The engine is a highly modified Havok Physics and will definately take advantage of 1MB L2 cache's and SMP. Given your system, and the likelyhood that you aren't opposed to upgrading anyway, I'd say go dual-core. Because you know in the end you're going to get dual-core AND SLI. And GPU prices drop faster than CPU prices. The latest nVidia drivers support SMP.

If you want some sweet RAM gi0rgi0 check at the Mushkin Redline.

Thanks for the tip ribbon :thumbsup: