Upgrade advice, should I go X1900?

[Iluka]

Hi Guys,

Now that I'm settled in with my new NEC LCD20WGX2 monitor, I think it's time to upgrade my rig to accommodate the new 1680x1050 resolution I now need to game in.

Currently I have an AMD64 3000, MSI K8T Neo mobo, 1GB ram and an X800 GTO 128mb. Elder Scrolls Oblivion's out on friday and I really don't see that running at full res with details up and HDR turned on. My mobo is AGP so it'll require a whole new system if I want to change the gfx card so I've been looking at this setup:

GFX: MSI ATI Radeon X1900 XT 512MB GDDR3 AVIVO TV-Out/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail (GX-060-MS)
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 4000+ San Diego 90nm (Socket 939)
Mobo: MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum nForce4 Ultra (Socket 939) PCI-Express Motherboard (MB-046-MS)
CPU Cooler: Coolermaster Hyper48 Cooler (Socket 754/775/478/939) (HS-016-CM)
PSU: Enermax Noisetaker 535W EG565AX-VE(W) SFMA ATX2.0 SLI Compliant PSU (CA-023-EN)
Mem: Corsair 2GB DDR XMS3200C2PT TwinX (2x1GB) CAS2 (MY-079-CS)
Case Fan: Vantec SF6025L Stealth 80mm fan - Retail (FG-002-VT) (Check size)

It'll run to about £860 but should do the trick. Anyone have any advice on how I should improve on this? Will the processor allow me to get the best out of the x1900? Is it worth getting a Crossfire mobo instead in case I want to add a second card later - or would it be better just to upgrade the card? Would I be fine with a (cheaper) x1800?

I know this is not solely a GFX card thread but that's the focal point of my upgrade so I thought I'd post it here. Any feedback would be VERY welcome as it's a lot of cash to fork out.

thanks

 

[paradigm]

I would suggest getting a new style crossfire board (RD580 chipset i think, maybe someone can confirm this), as this will allow you to upgrade to crossfire at a later date, WITHOUT the need for a master card.

I would also be tempted to get an X2 or Dual-Core Opteron processor, as you don't want the CPU to become a limiting factor, especially with more and more apps and games now being developed with crossfire/sli/dual-core in mind.

It may cost you a little more, but will last you longer in return, so the inital outlay will be offset by the fact you wont need to upgrade quite so quickly.

Just my 2p

 

[Iluka]

An X2? Would I get a better performance boost form somethin like the X2 Dual Core 4200+ (ADA4200BVBOX), which I've just noticed is only £250 hardly any more than the single core 4000.

How do the new style crossfire boards differ? Do they let you use any two similarly classed gfx cards without the need for specific Crossfire ones? Sounds good if it does, do OCUK stock these?

 

[Gibbo]

An X2? Would I get a better performance boost form somethin like the X2 Dual Core 4200+ (ADA4200BVBOX), which I've just noticed is only £250 hardly any more than the single core 4000.

How do the new style crossfire boards differ? Do they let you use any two similarly classed gfx cards without the need for specific Crossfire ones? Sounds good if it does, do OCUK stock these?

Yes OcUK have ample stock of the latest Asus A8R32-MVP Deluxe board in stock and if your thinking on getting an X1900 you need to do it today...

 

[oweneades]

Go for the much cheaper X2 3800+ and overclock it.

I would also save your money and get the X1800XT. A fantastic card for the money.

 

[Iluka]

Yes OcUK have ample stock of the latest Asus A8R32-MVP Deluxe board in stock and if your thinking on getting an X1900 you need to do it today...

Why? Do the weekly offers run out today? I did see a nice x1900 XTX on there for the price I have listed for the XT. Very tempting. Anyone else have any thoughts? Could really use the guidance before I fork out the better part fo a grand.

 

[Pulsedriver]

If you order today you can get an 1900XTX instead of a 1900XT! As the price is so low!

And the A8R32-MVP is also on special offer, so definately if you intend on these, get today!

That CPU is fast (AMD 4000+), you could use it for the next 6 months no worries, if you are ok to upgrade to X2 by then... Unless you use encoding/music/video apps, in which case, go for the X2!

 

[Iluka]

Do you really think it's worth getting the Crossfire motherboard?

 

[volt9291]

yes if you want to use crossfire

 

[Iluka]

Thanks! I meant, do you think it will be worth keeping the crossfire option open down the line? Is it a viable upgrade path or is it more worthwhile to just swap out for a better card?

I can (with the current offer) get an X1900XTX for £320 or an X1800XL (256) for £164 Would I see that big a difference by opting for the top-end card? Sorry for all the questions but I'm hesitating before spending a grand!

 

[LoadsaMoney]

You will over the 1800XL, as said buy now, as the 'This Week Only' runs from Thursday to Thursday, so it finishes tomorrow.

No harm in having the option there for Crossfire in the future.

 

[ACESHIGH]

If you can stretch to the X2 4400+ (double L2 cache) thats the better chip over the X2 4200+. The X2 4200+ is better than the X2 3800+ if you dont overclock though.

Definitely get the X1900XTX , as its lots quicker than the X1800XL.