I read somewhere (i can't find where but it's really bothering me) that in order to use the new ati xpress boards (dfi in my instance) that you need a psu with an 8 pin connector.
I thought it was on this forums but searched and couldn't find. I remember from the list that there were 2 silverstone psus and I think the other listed was an ocz powerstream.
Anyway, starting to add my items to shopping cart and wanted to know if anyone knew of other psu's with the 8 pin connector.
This is my choice as of right now : SILVERSTONE SST-ST60F 600W
Full Version: Psu's For Xpress Mobos
Anandtech reviewed the DFI RDX200 Crossfire mobo that has the 8-pin EPS12v connector. They stated that the system worked fine with a regular 4-pin 12v connector. The particular PSU you have linked is totally overkill even for a crossfire/SLI setup (not to mention expensive). If you are really interested in a crossfire/SLI setup you can get a PSU for around $80-100 instead and will still power that type of setup with ease.
IMO I would wait for the ATI SB600 chipset instead of going with the SB450 chipset.
IMO I would wait for the ATI SB600 chipset instead of going with the SB450 chipset.
Ok, I must have missed that in the anandtech review.
and what exactly would be improved with the SB600, besides the usb speed matter and sata2....I could really care less if that is the bulk of it.
and what exactly would be improved with the SB600, besides the usb speed matter and sata2....I could really care less if that is the bulk of it.
If you really want a crossfire setup here are some words of advice for ya: be patient and wait. Newegg is a super ripoff charging around $240 for that DFI mobo. I hope you don't plan on purchasing a X850 crossfire master card. For one thing, its EXPENSIVE! I would rather buy a 7800GTX instead of 2 X850's in crossfire.
I'm not a fanboy of any kind, but IMO crossfire isn't that great. Both crossfire and SLI can get expensive with the purchase of two video cards, but overall SLI is better than crossfire.
I'm not a fanboy of any kind, but IMO crossfire isn't that great. Both crossfire and SLI can get expensive with the purchase of two video cards, but overall SLI is better than crossfire.
First, the dfi board is $209+5 shipping @ newegg, haven't looked for other prices.
2ndly if you purchase an x800/850 crossfire card you get $100 back from ati via rebate. (but i probably won't even be doing this, at least not right away)
3rdly I will most likely be using x1000 cards as soon as they start populating the stores and I can see what kind of price I'm looking at.
Everything is expensive when it first comes out of course...but if I'm going to wait then something new will be out and also be more expensive - but then it will have added features/be faster/etc. Its a neverending cycle you can't get around unless you feel like waiting just to get cheaper prices for the same system.
My purpose of crossfire is to get ready, then 6 months down the line pick up the 2nd card for cheaper to just to keep the system a little more up-to-date.
If you really want to get into waiting, then I would wait until vista, dx10, new amd sockets, etc, etc. come around....but I'm not - I'm building a computer NOW.
2ndly if you purchase an x800/850 crossfire card you get $100 back from ati via rebate. (but i probably won't even be doing this, at least not right away)
3rdly I will most likely be using x1000 cards as soon as they start populating the stores and I can see what kind of price I'm looking at.
Everything is expensive when it first comes out of course...but if I'm going to wait then something new will be out and also be more expensive - but then it will have added features/be faster/etc. Its a neverending cycle you can't get around unless you feel like waiting just to get cheaper prices for the same system.
My purpose of crossfire is to get ready, then 6 months down the line pick up the 2nd card for cheaper to just to keep the system a little more up-to-date.
If you really want to get into waiting, then I would wait until vista, dx10, new amd sockets, etc, etc. come around....but I'm not - I'm building a computer NOW.
QUOTE(lilkev715 @ Oct 20 2005, 10:58 PM)
but overall SLI is better than crossfire.
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O' RLY?
Ok here is my rebuttle on SLI vs. Crossfire. No fanboyism, just facts.
The only mobo out right now is the DFI RDX200. However the SB450 chipset lacks SATA II, NCQ, as well as lackluster USB 2.0 performance. The only reason why DFI chose the SB450 is that its available now, but in terms of chipset features it is a little bit out-dated. DFI wanted to be one of the first mobo manufacturers out with a crossfire mobo, but they had to work with what was available at the time. ATI is still developing the SB600 chipset. They might improve upon the SB450, they might not. Its best to wait.
Sure you can buy a X850 master card and get the mail in rebate. Suppose later on you got another X850XT/XT-PE and ran them both. However even two X850's in crossfire just matches a single 7800GTX or just barely outperforms it depending on the game ([H]ardOCP benchmarks here). Overall a single 7800GTX would be a better buy because: 1) Cheaper, and 2) less power consumption.
X1000-series Master cards aren't even available yet *cough, paper-launch, cough* The X1800XL is available, but the master cards aren't available, and it gets beaten by the 7800GT/GTX which has been available ever since the product was publicly announced. Who knows how long you will have to wait for X1000-series master cards at the rate ATI is moving at.
Crossfire is limited to 1600X1200, pretty dang pathetic for a feature that is geared towards power users. What about the people that want to use crossfire on displays larger than 1600X1200 for games?
With any multi-card solution like crossfire or SLI you better have a dang fast CPU to back the video cards up to prevent it from becoming a bottleneck. Let's not forget that if you went with a SLI setup you would end up paying less money compared to a crossfire setup. Master cards cost more obviously comapred to a normal card even with the mail in rebate (mail in rebate wont last forever). With nvidias SLI capable video cards you dont have to worry about obtaining a master card. SLI mobos are currently pretty cheap and offer more features like a built in hardware firewall, SATA II, NV any-raid for mixing IDE/SATA drives in raid, as well as better USB 2.0 performance.
All of the items I have mentioned may not apply to you, but it does show overall that SLI is better. Honestly I wouldn't buy a complete crossfire/SLI system becasue it costs too dang much. For either ATI or Nvidia this is a silly excuse to increase their sales, while at the same time sort of cheating to gain more performance. I prefer greater performance from a single video card instead of buying two. Take a look at 2 X 6800GT/Ultra's in SLI for example. While there is increased performance, a single 7800GTX still outperforms the two while costing less.
Ok end of my rant. You still need a recommendation on a PSU?
The only mobo out right now is the DFI RDX200. However the SB450 chipset lacks SATA II, NCQ, as well as lackluster USB 2.0 performance. The only reason why DFI chose the SB450 is that its available now, but in terms of chipset features it is a little bit out-dated. DFI wanted to be one of the first mobo manufacturers out with a crossfire mobo, but they had to work with what was available at the time. ATI is still developing the SB600 chipset. They might improve upon the SB450, they might not. Its best to wait.
Sure you can buy a X850 master card and get the mail in rebate. Suppose later on you got another X850XT/XT-PE and ran them both. However even two X850's in crossfire just matches a single 7800GTX or just barely outperforms it depending on the game ([H]ardOCP benchmarks here). Overall a single 7800GTX would be a better buy because: 1) Cheaper, and 2) less power consumption.
X1000-series Master cards aren't even available yet *cough, paper-launch, cough* The X1800XL is available, but the master cards aren't available, and it gets beaten by the 7800GT/GTX which has been available ever since the product was publicly announced. Who knows how long you will have to wait for X1000-series master cards at the rate ATI is moving at.
Crossfire is limited to 1600X1200, pretty dang pathetic for a feature that is geared towards power users. What about the people that want to use crossfire on displays larger than 1600X1200 for games?
With any multi-card solution like crossfire or SLI you better have a dang fast CPU to back the video cards up to prevent it from becoming a bottleneck. Let's not forget that if you went with a SLI setup you would end up paying less money compared to a crossfire setup. Master cards cost more obviously comapred to a normal card even with the mail in rebate (mail in rebate wont last forever). With nvidias SLI capable video cards you dont have to worry about obtaining a master card. SLI mobos are currently pretty cheap and offer more features like a built in hardware firewall, SATA II, NV any-raid for mixing IDE/SATA drives in raid, as well as better USB 2.0 performance.
All of the items I have mentioned may not apply to you, but it does show overall that SLI is better. Honestly I wouldn't buy a complete crossfire/SLI system becasue it costs too dang much. For either ATI or Nvidia this is a silly excuse to increase their sales, while at the same time sort of cheating to gain more performance. I prefer greater performance from a single video card instead of buying two. Take a look at 2 X 6800GT/Ultra's in SLI for example. While there is increased performance, a single 7800GTX still outperforms the two while costing less.
Ok end of my rant. You still need a recommendation on a PSU?
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