What Should I Get?

[Reventon]

So for my birthday I'm getting a new screen. But for Christmas the only thing I'm sure I'm getting is a new case, as I need it.

I was looking at also get new speakers, a mouse, and a keyboard for Christmas, but I'm not sure if that's what I want. What should I get with about $150? PC upgrades? Any cool thing I could get for my new desk or anything like that?

 

[fish00]

hmm here is some stuff

1st keyboard mouse and speakers

keyboard:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823175006
OR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823175001

Mouse:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826104178
i think thats the best mouse but if u want somethin for appealing go with this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826153007

Speakers:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836116024

price varies one what 3 u get

if u decide to get a case i would say go with one of these (all very good):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119196&Tpk=cooler master storm scout

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133132

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021

there are a few options

PS: i didnt know if u meant 150 for mouse keyboard, mouse, speakers and the case or just 150 for keyboard mouse and speakers

 

[Reventon]

Well I'm asking if I should get something besides a mose, keyboard or speakers. Because if I'm getting those 3 things, I already have picked out which ones I am getting.

 

[fish00]

well it all depends, if u game ALOT like me, then go with mouse keyboard and speakers and maybe a good mousepad, dono what one u have though.

but if not i dono

i say go with mouse keyboard and speakers

 

[Reventon]

I was looking at possibly a new mobo maybe even one with a second PCI-E slot but if I had a second card to put in Crossfire I don't think my PSU would be able to handle it.

And yes I play WoW a lot, along with racing. Racing games don't require a keyboard and mouse though >.<

 

[HolyCow02]

Well if you play racing games alot, do you have a steering wheel/pedals? You could get a set of those if you don't

 

[Reventon]

Can anyone help me find a Crossfire compatible ATI card, a 500W+ PSU, and an AM2/AM2+ socket mobo with 2 PCI-E slots for $150?

And yes, I have a Logitech Momo Force steering wheel.

 

[Reventon]

Ah shit if I want to do Crossfire don't I need another 48XX card since I already have a 4850?

 

[Conflict0s]

Yea you will need another 4850. You could get a higher 48** series card but it would be pointless as it would just run the speed that your first 4850 is set to.

 

[human_error]

Yea you will need another 4850. You could get a higher 48** series card but it would be pointless as it would just run the speed that your first 4850 is set to.

No it wouldn't. The only thing your 4850 would limit is the available video memory to the new card - it wouldmatch that of the 4850 since the contents of the memory are mirrored (so if it has a 1gb mem size and your 4850 is only 512, both would only use 512). The clockspeed and memory speed would not be reduced to match that of a 4850 though - that requirement changed a looong time ago (HD3K series i think).

Any 4k series card with the same gpu will work in crossfire - 4830, 4850, 4870, 4890 will work with your 4850 and will run at their respective speeds without being reduced.

 

[Reventon]

So nothing like a 4670, correct?

 

[human_error]

So nothing like a 4670, correct?

correct - the gpu's need to match to allow crossfire (disabled shaders don't matter which is why a 4850 and 4830 can crossfire as they are still the same gpu). A 4670 is a different GPU so it can't crossfire with a 48xx series gpu. You are limited to 48xx series cards for your crossfire - although if this isn't happening until christmas i'd wait and see what the HD5K series has to offer before looking at crossfire with 4k series (although the cost of crossfire for another 48xx card will be a LOT less at christmas giving good bang for your buck, if you can get hold of the cards that is...).

 

[Conflict0s]

No it wouldn't. The only thing your 4850 would limit is the available video memory to the new card - it wouldmatch that of the 4850 since the contents of the memory are mirrored (so if it has a 1gb mem size and your 4850 is only 512, both would only use 512). The clockspeed and memory speed would not be reduced to match that of a 4850 though - that requirement changed a looong time ago (HD3K series i think).

Any 4k series card with the same gpu will work in crossfire - 4830, 4850, 4870, 4890 will work with your 4850 and will run at their respective speeds without being reduced.

I am sorry but I think you are wrong. I just did a quick google to back up my statement.
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/page-265374_15_0.html

EDIT: This link is better as it is from ATI's website. Check out question 5 in the link.
http://ati.amd.com/technology/crossfire/faq.html

 

[human_error]

Never ever ever trust what you read on Tom's hardware. Ever. Also the AMD game website is all over the place with accurate/inaccurate information.

http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=64150 Erocker had a 4870 and a 4850 in crossfireX both at their seperate stock clocks:

From the linked thread:

 

[Reventon]

Okay, thanks. One more thing - to save money so I could get a 48XX card and a Crossfire mobo, should I look for a case that includes a 500W PSU, assuming the PSU is quality?

 

[DanishDevil]

I'll tell you right now it's going to be hard to find a quality PSU included with a case for cheap.

 

[human_error]

Okay, thanks. One more thing - to save money so I could get a 48XX card and a Crossfire mobo, should I look for a case that includes a 500W PSU, assuming the PSU is quality?

I'll tell you right now it's going to be hard to find a quality PSU included with a case for cheap.

+1 on this - my advice would be get them seperate unless you see a good bundle on newegg or something where they take a case on its own and bundle it with a quality psu which are sold seperately (basically avoid getting a single item which is a case with a psu inside it - they are nearly always useless).

 

[Reventon]

Well. Lets put it this way.

I need a case, Crossfire mobo, Crossfire PSU, and a 48XX card for $200.

As for the PSU, I will have to get something good. Well, I don't have to. But it's smarter. That's why I have a Corsair right now.

 

[Conflict0s]

Hmm interesting, I want to believe you lol but I have just read that information on so many websites, I am finding it hard to believe. Maybe it changes speeds when it is in game?
And agreed also, if you want a quality PSU then you should look into buying it separately. And I don't think you are going to get all that for $200 :\

 

[human_error]

Well. Lets put it this way.

I need a case, Crossfire mobo, Crossfire PSU, and a 48XX card for $200.

That's a tough order though you never know how cheap you'll be able to get a used 48xx card and a used xfire mobo in 2-3 months time with all the new kit coming out at the moment (i5/i7, hd5k series etc).

Hmm interesting, I want to believe you lol but I have just read that information on so many websites, I am finding it hard to believe. Maybe it changes speeds when it is in game?
And agreed also, if you want a quality PSU then you should look into buying it separately. And I don't think you are going to get all that for $200 :\

Absolutely - i havn't got personal experience with the mixed gpus and had read the limitation on other sites before, however recently quite a few TPUers who know their stuff have been saying the limitation is gone as well as the thread i linked leads me to believe them over tom's hardware and the AMD lame website.

 

[Reventon]

Very true. I'll need to look around. I like my current PSU and it handles everything I have fine, but with another 48XX card I'm not sure if it will do quite as well.

 

[Reventon]

Maybe I can sell some stuff that way I will have like $250 or so. Also if I get a new PSU I'll be able to sell my Corsair 400W.

 

[1Kurgan1]

If your looking at $250 I would look at a PII 720 BE and a PSU, I'm not sure if your mobo will support a 720 BE or not though. But that should offer you a nice performance increase.

 

[Reventon]

But I'm getting a 28" screen so I can do a dual monitor setup with my current 19", so more graphics power would be very beneficial.

 

[Wile E]

I am sorry but I think you are wrong. I just did a quick google to back up my statement.
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/page-265374_15_0.html

EDIT: This link is better as it is from ATI's website. Check out question 5 in the link.
http://ati.amd.com/technology/crossfire/faq.html

No, they are wrong. I tested it myself. I had both 4850's and 4870's. 2x4850<4850+4870<2x4870.

The 4850 crossfired with the 4870 was faster than 2 4850's crossfired.

And here's proof from a 3rd party: http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/foru...4870-hd4850-crossfire-performance-review.html