The Big Switch

**SEBRET** · #1 07-25-2010, 01:29 PM

OK friends, Time to see what you know.

My computer setup is as follows

Intel I7-930 CPU
Gigabyte X58a-UD3R mobo
Corsair Dominator 1600 DDR3 (3x2)
Corsair hx750 watt psu

gpu 1 - EVGA Geforce 9800gt 512mb @16x
gpu 2 - Geforce 7900 gtx 512mb @16x

I also have an extra 9800 gt

I'm Running 2 21.5inch 1080p's on the 9800 and 2 4x3's on the 7900 at 1280x1024 each.

my mobo has 4 PCIe slots. 1 and 3 run at x16 as long as 2 and 4 are empty, otherwise 1 and 3 drop to 8x with the population of 2 and 4 respectively.

My Long term goal for the future is to have the following setup
setup goal on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

I have a number of options for my setup, but I would like to discuss each one in terms of cost/power/heat/strength etc.

this one requires i buy one more 9800 gt (all 4 cards at 8x)
setup goal 1 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

this one would require I buy one eyefinity 6 edition card and one lower 5xxx card (also have to buy 3 display port to dvi adapters separate from card.
Both cards at 16x
setup goal 2 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

I realize this might also necessitate a new psu so id also like to discuss that.

I think the one thing that i am nervous about here is the possible switch from nvidia to ati, but I am open to the overall best option. I am also very curious about the eyefinity tech.

I welcome any opinions on this.

**B-Manic** · #2 07-25-2010, 03:57 PM

My opinion is - "This is a site dedicated to creating a forum for card/paper modelers and other like minded people to share card/paper modeling builds, designs and related topics of discussion, not a computer enthusiast site."

I say good day to you sir

**Squirrel** · #3 07-25-2010, 04:03 PM

hey, b-maniac, what you say is true.

HOWEVER... this is the cardboard lounge.

Quote:

Any discussions not related to paper models is welcome.

that is part of the introduction to the cardboard lounge. look familiar?

**mbauer** · #4 07-25-2010, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SEBRET

OK friends, Time to see what you know.

I think the one thing that i am nervous about here is the possible switch from nvidia to ati, but I am open to the overall best option. I am also very curious about the eyefinity tech.

I welcome any opinions on this.

Not really sure about the latest developments in hardware, but I can tell for sure that nividia is not as "buggy" as Radeon.

A software program brought this to my attention. X-Plane will tell you not to use ATI at all! It is a program that uses massive amounts of video, bandwith etc.. to run, as soon as I switched to nividia, all of my software seemed to run better.

Not as many crashes or lockups when drawing designs was a big bonus!

Computers are a big part of what we do.

Since many members here have different professions, maybe someone who makes a living dealing with hardware, will chime in with a better answer.

Best regards,
Mike Bauer

**B-Manic** · #5 07-25-2010, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squirrel

hey, b-maniac, what you say is true.

HOWEVER... this is the cardboard lounge.

that is part of the introduction to the cardboard lounge. look familiar?

It does not change my opinion or right to express it, when asked.

**Squirrel** · #6 07-25-2010, 04:22 PM

true. your opinion is valid.

**Ron40** · #7 07-25-2010, 04:58 PM

I agree with B-Manic. Unless you are making a paper or
card model computer it does not belong here. This is not
a computer information answering site. I believe you can
find other sites on the internet that may give you computer
advice.......Ron

**SEBRET** · #8 07-25-2010, 08:23 PM

Thanks mbauer, I've heard the same things, which is why I started with Nvidia.

I understand that this is a paper modeling forum. However, given that a good portion of this hobby is computer related in some way, it's not hard to assume that there might be other enthusiasts like me around the forums.

If there are threads about horseback riding, the World Cup, Holidays, Vacations, Aircraft Comparisons, Vuvuzelas, Book reviews, special Flights, philosophy, file type explanations, iPads, Hygiene Advice, Daylight Savings Time, Hard Drives, Online Games, Fried MOBOs, Book Sales, adobe problems, Space program tech, microsoft Paint, Big screen Tvs, Snowstorms, video Games, Movies, and Music,

then I'm of the opinion that this topic isn't exactly out of the ball park for this board.

I agree that your opinion is your own, and you are certainly welcome to express it, but if it does not relate to this topic, are you not essentially wasting your time typing it? Why not just reply to the threads that you are interested in?

For any of the possible Enthusiasts, or even those with an ounce of knowledge on the subject, I Look forward to your responses.

And I'm sorry that this has upset some of you.

**Squirrel** · #9 07-25-2010, 08:50 PM

well said.

**Gharbad** · #10 07-25-2010, 09:20 PM

I've been using ATI cards specifically for over 10 years with the occasionally Nvidia. I've had some problems with both, the most expensive Nvidia card crapped out on me and gave me stuttering 2D rendering within a month of owning it.
All the ATI vs Nvidia arugments are pure junk, it's entirely about the specific card you're getting. In some generations ATI is totally in the lead for pure performance and in others it's Nvidia. Currently there are some great ATI cards and some great Nvidia cards.
Best Video Card | Hardware Revolution

I haven't played around much with multi monitor setups but from what I hear there are scores of compatibility problems. It probably is a good idea to go to a real computer forum at some point with this. It is a big investment, you'd want as many good opinions as you can get.