Sapphire Atomic 4870x2 Limited edition...

[cadaveca]

Well, obviously I'm sitting on the fence about it, otherwise I wouldn't have started the thread. I've already had reference cards, and iddn't really like 'em, but I was running 2 of them...

Then I suppose that $400 could get me a GTX285 as well...

So, 4870x2 or GTX285? Your Personal Pick?

[zlojack]

GTX 285

What does this card look like, Dave?

[cadaveca]

Um, can't find the images I saw before...nor a webpage with 'em, and the image host here doesn't wanna work for me just yet.

Ah, lots of pics on the Sapphire product page:

SAPPHIRE ATOMIC HD 4870 X2 2G GDDR5 PCI-E

[zlojack]

Hmmm...seems interesting.

If you've got the coin for it. But don't you think you could get those clocks on a regular card with a 240 rad and a decent pump/fan/block combo?

And those items would be reusable whereas that card is one unit and I don't think it would have as great a resale value (if that even matters to you, Mr. $35 soap )

[cadaveca]

If you've seen the prices I sell my used gear for(2/3rds retail or less), you'd know how I feel about resale...besides, like my "UBER" x1950xt's, it'll get used, then put back in the box and stuffed under the stairs...

PUmp-$50
RAd-50
block-100-150
tubing-$20
Fans-20-40

That's almost $300...makes $400 seem a bit ok, as I said, considering no warranty issues. Keep in mind Sapphire's latest RMA policy, and the crappy local techs...
Price is $966...

[zlojack]

Hmm...well the warranty's one point, I suppose. Why not buy XFX? Don't they have a 4870 X2 out yet? I think they are modder friendly.

Anyway, I'm biased as I love to custom-watercool my gear.

[cadaveca]

Yeah, XFX is not available yet, otherwise that'd be my first pick, as the card is all-black...but I'm buying tomorrow, not gonna wait any longer...getting sick of this 1680x1050 monitor.

I offloaded alot of my cooling gear a couple of months ago, after having 3870x2's...I killed one card scratching the gpu removing the block. And I'm careful...white gloves and all...dunno what happened, but it has me a bit leary to watercool again...real-world gains are minimal, other than heat loss in the case, IMHO. I run E8400@ 4ghz, 1.45v on air...sure, w/ water I could do 4.5...but it doesn't really add any benefit...

[zlojack]

True enough. I guess this card would run quieter than the regular 4870 X2?

The 4GHz E8400 is a sweet chip, no doubt!

[encorp]

All I can say is, the economy being in the shitter.. for those of us with decent spare change right now.. it's awesome.. everything is daaamn cheap right now hahaha

[cadaveca]

SO it's still all about cost?

And here's a link for one of the soaps I use..$54 for 200ml...(although I don't have any more of that stuff, currently using Biotherm Homme Aquafitness, which is $30-$35).

Men's Biotherm® BT Body Gel : Sears Canada

Try it...you'll like it!