|2A|N

Well I bit the bullet and ordered some parts from Newegg last night for a new gaming build.

My last AMD system was an FX-55 many years ago. My last ATI card was the 9800XT which to say the least wasn't very pleased being the 9800 Pro's could be modded to XT specs, I guess I just felt a bit cheated in that respect.

Anyhow after reviewing for several weeks I decided and narrowed down to building an AMD Crossfire setup. My last setup was a Q6600. I think price per performance AMD has hit the nail right on the head considering the overclocking potential on the Phenom X4 processors.

This is the setup I went for below.

AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition
ASUS Crosshair III Formula AM3 790FX
OCZ Gold 4GB DDR3 1600
Western Digital VelociRaptor 150GB 10000 RPM 16MB Cache
(2x) XFX Radeon HD 4850 1GB 256-bit GDDR3
SAMSUNG Black DVD++ Burner
750w PSU (not sure of brand, uncle is shipping to me free)
Antec Nine Hundred (old style)

Subtotal $907.94
Tax $0.00
UPS Ground $25.62
Rush Processing $2.99
Order Total $936.55 (minus psu)

Does anyone have a similar setup. I'd like to get some feedback in regards to overclocking and gaming with this rig once I get it built. Parts should arrive Monday. Thanks.

RE III - Frankie

Look's like a nice system, congratulations on your purchase. make sure you post some scores and temps!

jandarsun8

Nice system and price, can't beat Newegg on prices. My system is slower then yours and older cards but I'm running a Phenom 9850 BE (2.5 stock) and have it OC'd to 2.9 speeds. Crossfire with two 3870's and can run most things at max with 8x AA and 16x Anisotropic filtering. With a 10k rpm hard drive, DDR3, faster CPU and new vid cards, I'd think that thing should pretty much tear through most anything just fine. Again, nice system man. Have fun putting it together and even more fun using it.

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|2A|N

Received my parts from UPS today. Just got done building this thing.

The only issue I have is that I have no Crossfire cables to connect my 4850's together.

Where on earth do I get one of these?

kris23

id get em on ebay..... best place for such a small item

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|2A|N

Ahh ebay, I have not browsed that place for some time now.
On any note, I think I found one on amazon for around $16.
I'll probably order it tomorrow once I look around a bit more.
Thanks for the tip though.

OldBuzzard

$16.00 for a crossfire cable?

Screw that. I have one that came with the Sapphire 4850 that I put in #1 son's system. It will never be used here. It's just the standard length one, about 2 3/8" from center to center on the slots.

If that will work for you, PM me your snail mail addy and I'll send it to you, N/C.

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When looking for a reason as to why things go wrong, never rule out sheer STUPIDITY

kris23

now THATS some good lookin out

New ATI CrossFire Bridge Interconnect Cable Connector - eBay (item 270438952540 end time Oct-04-09 23:50:59 PDT)

crossfire bridge on ebay.... ALOT cheaper than amazon

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Cow_160483

Dude i have like three of those cables and i would not pay any thing for them too bad am miles away would have sent them to you take the offer from OldB... or get the one linked on Kris's link its much cheaper ....

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Decode!
Muhahahahah!

|2A|N

Thanks a lot! Pm sent.

OldBuzzard

Part sent

It's going 1st Class. Lady at the P.O. said it would take about 2 days, so it should be there b4 the weekend.

We expect a FULL REPORT on how your setup runs .

__________________
When looking for a reason as to why things go wrong, never rule out sheer STUPIDITY

Cow_160483

Cool OldBuzzard that deserves some rep

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Decode!
Muhahahahah!

|2A|N

Fantastic! I appreciate that.

After doing some more research it looks like I need 2 crossfire bridges for this setup....

Here is a photo.

OldBuzzard

You should be fine with just the one.

The second would be used for putting 3 in crossfire. Kind of like |_|-|

Nah. I had 4 of those just laying around. Since I don't use crossfire, they are worthless to me.

I find it odd that XFX doesn't supply one with their cards. I thought they are supposed to be one of the 'better' mfgrs.? Mine all came from various Sapphire cards. 2 X1950s, a 4850, and a 3870 X2.

__________________
When looking for a reason as to why things go wrong, never rule out sheer STUPIDITY

|2A|N

Ahh, Ok. I thought these crossfire connections came with the cards as well but it seems XFX doesn't offer this with some of there cards.

It's been somewhat of an inconvenience to say the least. Anyhow thanks again my friend for looking out!

Spaztic_Reaper

hey jandarsun, what're the settings for your phenom overclocking? I also have a 9850 BE and only have it running at 2.7

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And when we all looked at our friend while sitting next to the train tracks he put an unlit cigarette in his mouth and about 5 seconds later exclaimed "Shit I coulda sworn smoke was coming out of it, mus' be trippin balls."

Cow_160483

ya me too i got all of mine with my GF cards, its disappointing for XFX not to provide one ???

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Decode!
Muhahahahah!

isaak

How's the system going Make sure to post some more pics and benchmarks!

With regards to the crossfire bridges, my PowerColor 4870 came with one, XFX is odd..

__________________
The first step... shall be to lose the way. - Galway Kinnell

|2A|N

Well I been out of town a couple days just got back.

I have not really been able to do any benchmarks or photos, been crazy round here past few days.

Still have not got that crossfire cable in the mail yet as well. That may get here tomorrow hopefully.

I will bench and post more photos once I get my ducks in a row.

jandarsun8

I used AMD's Override util in Windows first to see what max was, which was 3.0 before it locked up, once I found that, I started bumping up the multiplier in the bios till it started running funky. I don't like the Windows util for OC'ing and used that more or less for a base line then did it in hardware instead. I want to say it's 14x but could be 14.5x maybe? I don't remember, it's been a while since I set it and I'm at work right now (can't check it now). I know 12x is default but I can't remember what I actually have it set to.

Hope this helps somewhat.

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|2A|N

Received that crossfire connector from OldBuzzard today and crossfire is working perfectly.

Thanks again OldBuzzard for sending that to me, it's greatly appreciated!

I have not really done much overclocking and benchmarking in a few years since the old P4 days but went ahead and ran 3D06 just to see what's under the hood.

This system is much.. much better than the Q6600 build I sold many months ago.

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Chaos

glad it all worked out well for you. It's peops like OldBuzzard that make me come back to DH on a regular basis

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Judas

you know what's crazy..

running a hd4870x2 i get slightly more 21000 3dmarks.... however with 2x hd4870x2's.... i get 19000....

figure that one out... (i still blame my corsair 1000watt psu for my low performance and issues)

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|2A|N

That is a bit odd. You have a nice setup though

isaak

good to see its up an running! i bet you'll love it

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The first step... shall be to lose the way. - Galway Kinnell

OldBuzzard

|2A|N, glad to see that it FINALLY got there

I was beginning to think that they sent it via mule train


That doesn't suprise me. He's using ATI cards. It seems like the 3D people handicap ATI cards, and since he has 2 of them...

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When looking for a reason as to why things go wrong, never rule out sheer STUPIDITY