PC video card question

Akula4745 · 04-03-09, 07:16 AM

The shop I am getting my new PC from called me back about something I forgot on the order and also asked me a question about the motherboard and video card choice I made. This is what I ordered last night:

Intel Core 2 Quad Processor Q9550 (4x 2.83GHz/12MB L2 Cache/1333FSB)
Asus Rampage Formula Intel X48 Chipset
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 285 1Gb
4 Gb [2 Gb X2] DDR2-800 PC6400 Memory
500 Gb primary + 320 Gb secondary HD

But now (if I understood right) it turns out I won't be able to run dual video cards (later on) using the Crossfire technology because it won't work with Nvidia cards without an Nvidia chipset???

Would it be better to go with an ATI Radeon card instead? I sure do wanna make the right choice here... HELP! Matching system components is definitely NOT my specialty... I know just enough to get myself in trouble. Any advice or insight would be greatly appreciated. I have to call them back today and decide...

Thanks in advance.
Jim

Torplexed · 04-03-09, 07:26 AM

I'm clueless when it comes to tech.

However there is a forum on this board devoted specifically to hardware and software questions. You could try duplicating this post there. Can't hurt to have two hooks in the water.

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/forumdisplay.php?f=235

Akula4745 · 04-03-09, 07:34 AM

Thanks Torp!!!

AVGWarhawk · 04-03-09, 07:41 AM

Crossfire is for ATI I believe
SLI is for Nvidia

Personally, I like to keep Nvidia cards with Nvida chip sets. So, you need a mobo that supports either SLI or Crossfire if you want to run dual cards. I would ask the shop to recommend a board. I have an MSI SLI mobo. It runs just one card and I can add if I want to.

I'm going to move this to the computer section. YOu will get more insight.

mr chris · 04-03-09, 01:06 PM

I have the processor and the motherboard you posted in the first post.
I currently and running with 1 ATI 4870 X2 2Gb graphics card.
But last week i brought another one (saw it cheap in the sales)
When i arrives im going to crossfire it with my current one.
Though i must add i had to buy a new larger Watt PSU to power them both a Coolmaster 1250 watt beast. Expensive but with a little luck it should mean i wont need to upgrade for a while.

I have had Nivida and ATI cards in the past and not had a drama with any of them.
What ever one you go with you rig will fly.
If you can afford it get two cards and crossfire or SLI them and you should not have to upgrade in that deptment for a very long time.

04-03-09, 07:16 AM	#1
Akula4745 Convicted Ship Killer Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Just out of sight... plotting your course and speed Posts: 846 Downloads: 371 Uploads: 1	PC video card question The shop I am getting my new PC from called me back about something I forgot on the order and also asked me a question about the motherboard and video card choice I made. This is what I ordered last night: Intel Core 2 Quad Processor Q9550 (4x 2.83GHz/12MB L2 Cache/1333FSB) Asus Rampage Formula Intel X48 Chipset NVIDIA GeForce GTX 285 1Gb 4 Gb [2 Gb X2] DDR2-800 PC6400 Memory 500 Gb primary + 320 Gb secondary HD But now (if I understood right) it turns out I won't be able to run dual video cards (later on) using the Crossfire technology because it won't work with Nvidia cards without an Nvidia chipset??? Would it be better to go with an ATI Radeon card instead? I sure do wanna make the right choice here... HELP! Matching system components is definitely NOT my specialty... I know just enough to get myself in trouble. Any advice or insight would be greatly appreciated. I have to call them back today and decide... Thanks in advance. Jim __________________ Akula4745 "If you sit by the river long enough... the body of your enemy will float by -- SunTzu" Last edited by Akula4745; 04-03-09 at 07:34 AM.

04-03-09, 07:26 AM	#2
Torplexed Let's Sink Sumptin' ! Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 5,823 Downloads: 43 Uploads: 0	I'm clueless when it comes to tech. However there is a forum on this board devoted specifically to hardware and software questions. You could try duplicating this post there. Can't hurt to have two hooks in the water. http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/forumdisplay.php?f=235 __________________ --Mobilis in Mobili--

04-03-09, 07:34 AM	#3
Akula4745 Convicted Ship Killer Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Just out of sight... plotting your course and speed Posts: 846 Downloads: 371 Uploads: 1	Thanks Torp!!! __________________ Akula4745 "If you sit by the river long enough... the body of your enemy will float by -- SunTzu"

04-03-09, 07:41 AM	#4
AVGWarhawk Lucky Jack Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a 1954 Buick. Posts: 27,343 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	Crossfire is for ATI I believe SLI is for Nvidia Personally, I like to keep Nvidia cards with Nvida chip sets. So, you need a mobo that supports either SLI or Crossfire if you want to run dual cards. I would ask the shop to recommend a board. I have an MSI SLI mobo. It runs just one card and I can add if I want to. I'm going to move this to the computer section. YOu will get more insight. __________________ “You're painfully alive in a drugged and dying culture.” ― Richard Yates, Revolutionary Road

04-03-09, 01:06 PM	#5
mr chris Silent Hunter Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Herefordshire, England Posts: 3,562 Downloads: 216 Uploads: 0	I have the processor and the motherboard you posted in the first post. I currently and running with 1 ATI 4870 X2 2Gb graphics card. But last week i brought another one (saw it cheap in the sales) When i arrives im going to crossfire it with my current one. Though i must add i had to buy a new larger Watt PSU to power them both a Coolmaster 1250 watt beast. Expensive but with a little luck it should mean i wont need to upgrade for a while. I have had Nivida and ATI cards in the past and not had a drama with any of them. What ever one you go with you rig will fly. If you can afford it get two cards and crossfire or SLI them and you should not have to upgrade in that deptment for a very long time. __________________