x1900xt-x to 7900GTX sli

Agent WD40 · 2 Jun 2006 at 11:47

Ello all,

I can't beleive i'm even considering this! But hay, there we go.

My current setup is this..

Opty 165 @ 3ghz
DFi Expert mobo
2gb G Skill HZ
x1900xtx – Connect 3d
24” Dell 2405FPW
3x 74Gb raptors, RAID0
1x 36Gb raptor, Windows
1x 250Gb WD, Storage
Enermax 600W PSU
Watercooling on the CPU

I’ve started playing FEAR and other more gpu demanding games and noticing my FPS in games is running rairly low when running at 1600x1200 / 1920x1200 with max AA and AF.

I like to run my games at MAX res and details the whole time but I can’t, damn this huge monitor!

I’m wondering if doing this little “stunt” of swapping cards will improve my FPS by much or is it going to be a fantastic waste of money?

Also, will I need to upgrade my PSU?

Thanks for your replies all,

Agent.

AFK_Matrix · 2 Jun 2006 at 12:12

Just wondering why you don't just purchase a X1900XT Master card and a mobo surely this is cheaper than getting 2 brand new cards? I could be wrong though. And yes if you do go SLI/Xfire you will get an improvement in games, but don't expect to get double the performance think its something like 20-30% better. But I am sure people with and SLI/Crossfire setup can tell you how good the improvement is.

Just for your information here is the differance in price mate:

2 x OCUK 7900GTX + Del = £608.83
1 x ATI X1900 Mastercard + DFI LanParty UT CFX3200-DR RD580 Crossfire Mobo + Del = £456.08

Know which one I would choose lol

Mr Paul · 2 Jun 2006 at 12:21

AFK_Matrix said:
Just wondering why you don't just purchase a X1900XT Master card and a mobo surely this is cheaper than getting 2 brand new cards? I could be wrong though. And yes if you do go SLI/Xfire you will get an improvement in games, but don't expect to get double the performance think its something like 20-30% better. But I am sure people with and SLI/Crossfire setup can tell you how good the improvement is.

Just for your information here is the differance in price mate:

2 x OCUK 7900GTX + Del = £608.83
1 x ATI X1900 Mastercard + DFI LanParty UT CFX3200-DR RD580 Crossfire Mobo + Del = £456.08

Know which one I would choose lol

He has a point

BubbySoup · 2 Jun 2006 at 12:44

Damn that 2405! Nvidia and ATI should be paying Dell royalties. They produced a product that has probably sold more SLI/X-Fire setups than any type of advertising Nvidia/ATI could have come up with.

Anyway, yes you will see an improvement when gaming at native and yes, you should definitely consider X-Fire looking at the difference in price.

Indy500 · 2 Jun 2006 at 12:47

If you buy the X1900 Master and Xfire board, you can also sell your Expert to pay for part of the upgrade.

teggs · 2 Jun 2006 at 12:49

AFK_Matrix said:
Just wondering why you don't just purchase a X1900XT Master card and a mobo surely this is cheaper than getting 2 brand new cards? I could be wrong though. And yes if you do go SLI/Xfire you will get an improvement in games, but don't expect to get double the performance think its something like 20-30% better. But I am sure people with and SLI/Crossfire setup can tell you how good the improvement is.

Just for your information here is the differance in price mate:

2 x OCUK 7900GTX + Del = £608.83
1 x ATI X1900 Mastercard + DFI LanParty UT CFX3200-DR RD580 Crossfire Mobo + Del = £456.08

Know which one I would choose lol

but he could sell his x1900 for £250~ therefore £608.83 - £250 = £358.83
although he could sell his mobo for £100~ therfore £456.08 - £100 = 356.08

a £2.75 saving :/

Agent WD40 · 2 Jun 2006 at 12:49

looks like I should start looking at the clock-a-bility of the DFI xfire board then chaps...

Agent.

Stax10 · 2 Jun 2006 at 13:33

Agent WD40 said:
Ello all,

I can't beleive i'm even considering this! But hay, there we go.

My current setup is this..

Opty 165 @ 3ghz
DFi Expert mobo
2gb G Skill HZ
x1900xtx – Connect 3d
24” Dell 2405FPW
3x 74Gb raptors, RAID0
1x 36Gb raptor, Windows
1x 250Gb WD, Storage
Enermax 600W PSU
Watercooling on the CPU

I’ve started playing FEAR and other more gpu demanding games and noticing my FPS in games is running rairly low when running at 1600x1200 / 1920x1200 with max AA and AF.

I like to run my games at MAX res and details the whole time but I can’t, damn this huge monitor!

I’m wondering if doing this little “stunt” of swapping cards will improve my FPS by much or is it going to be a fantastic waste of money?

Also, will I need to upgrade my PSU?

Thanks for your replies all,

Agent.

I did exactly what you are thinking of doing, for precisely the same reason. My Dell2405FPW was too demading for a Powercolor 1900XT-X to run at 1920x1200 with maxed out AA & AF.

I swapped out the 1900XT-X for two Gainward Bliss 7900GTX's in SLi. The difference in COD2 was quite significant IMO. I am currently playing Sin Episode 1, and I have that maxed out at 1920x1200 as well, with no problems. I haven't played HL2 Episode1 yet though, or replayed FEAR. If I get time, I will try FEAR tonight and report back. Also, the two 7900GTX's together, are quieter than the 1900XT-X was on it's own.

You should not have any problems with your PSU, I have a Seasonic S12-600W PSU, which has been fine. The 7900GTX's use a lot less power than 1900XT-X's. Stax

Vault5ChOnG · 2 Jun 2006 at 13:35

I run xfire x1900s atm and when having crossfire disabled/enabled i only notice a gain/decrease of about 30fps.I still think we are still inneed of support for xfire tho like decent drivers etc. Or it could just be me not setup my system right but im sure it is. example. call of duty2 i get everage 250fps and in call of duty 1 my fps can drop to 70ish lol. weird.

Another thing i had to buy a new PSU as these cards blew my 550W up

im on a 700w now and all is fine.

Stax10 · 2 Jun 2006 at 13:38

Vault5ChOnG said:
I run xfire x1900s atm and when having crossfire disabled/enabled i only notice a gain/decrease of about 30fps.I still think we are still inneed of support for xfire tho like decent drivers etc. Or it could just be me not setup my system right but im sure it is. example. call of duty2 i get everage 250fps and in call of duty 1 my fps can drop to 70ish lol. weird.

Another thing i had to buy a new PSU as these cards blew my 550W up im on a 700w now and all is fine.

What res are you running at mate, in COD2?

tom_nieto · 2 Jun 2006 at 13:44

I can't wait to get my 7900 GTX

I don't have the cash for another just yet, but I'm happy that an SLI setup can potentially max out my 2405

I think with just one I'll be a happy man, My GF4 Ti4200 didn't know what hit it when i connected it to the screen

uvarvu · 2 Jun 2006 at 13:46

I did the same but I moved to the 7900 GT XXX editions by xfx. I was constricted to the gt's because I have a shuttle sn26p.

HL2 episode 1 runs flawlessly at 1920x1200 as well as sin episodes.

Stax10 · 2 Jun 2006 at 14:29

Agent WD40 said:
Ello all,Agent.

Sorry to be cheeky, but have you just bought a GTX second hand on the forums?

If so, you have already made half the leap towards the SLi rig. I assume your going to test the single GTX first and then make up your mind?

Agent WD40 · 2 Jun 2006 at 14:52

nope, wasn't me. But I am on the dog and bone now trying to get the BFG ones but its just saying "you are at queue position 1".

Freaking answer!!

AFK_Matrix · 2 Jun 2006 at 15:01

teggs said:
but he could sell his x1900 for £250~ therefore £608.83 - £250 = £358.83
although he could sell his mobo for £100~ therfore £456.08 - £100 = 356.08

a £2.75 saving :/

That is true but I chose the second most expensive board for Xfire and tbh if your not overclocking your cpu then you could go for a Asus motherboard and save another 20 quid but hey its his choice was just a suggestion. Also If he wants quitness then yes I would say go for the 7900GTX or he could just plonk 2 VF900s on the 1900s but his case temps would go up quite a lot. Its swings and roundabouts. I too have the 2405 and personally I want FPS to eye candy so my x1800 is ok but seeing as i sold this to a friend I am gonna get a x1900 so its future proof for around 12-18months. I can then upgrade to Xfire if I wish, not bothered about sound as by that time I will have watercooling

Agent WD40 · 2 Jun 2006 at 15:04

Right, I've made my decision.

I'll keep you guys in suspence until monday...

I'll let the roumers run rife at this stage...

Agent.

Mr Mister · 2 Jun 2006 at 15:17

w00t hes got 7900gtx sli!!! good move

Agent WD40 · 2 Jun 2006 at 15:22

Mr Mister said:
w00t hes got 7900gtx sli!!! good move

Or have I..?

Noni. · 2 Jun 2006 at 15:29

Yes you have

Well done !

Agent WD40 · 2 Jun 2006 at 15:34

Noni. said:
Yes you have

Well done !

If I told you no I haven't (with my hand on heart). What else would you start guessing..?

Agent.