1. #1
    -HH-Quazi's Avatar Senior Member
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    That actually kicks serious butt!

    http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?p=MB-A8R-MVP&c=fr&pid=78...9ba68853f0bc28693feb

    Check this review out:

    http://www.anandtech.com/printarticle.aspx?i=2617

    I have been reading up on the DFI Crossfire offering on their forums and it has been plagued with issues. Plus, the X1800XT's don't seem to work well at all with it. Actually, the X850XT PE and an X850 control card in Crossfire mode performs better than the X1800XT does for some reason on the DFI board.

    Well, that just isn't the case with this Asus A8R-MVP. I have been impressed with the 7800GTX's numbers in SLI form and am glad to see the X1800XT perform up to its potential and actually rival the 7800GTX SLI.

    I believe I may just go ahead and order this board after I read a couple more reviews and confirm what AnandTech has found. I just don't think there will be another well known and respected mobo manufacture offer a Crossfire capable mobo, especially with the review this one has gotten, at a price like this.
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  2. #2
    PF_Coastie's Avatar Senior Member
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    WOW! Looks like an incredible board for a value price. Nice find man.

    One thing that disappointed me was that they never tested the crossfire. At least not that I could see.

    One thing I found very interesting was this paragraph:

    "Results with the ATI X1800XT on the Asus A8R-MVP were very intersting. THe X1800XT was either tops or matched results in all games not based on Open GL engines. In games base on Open GL, like Quake 4 and Doom 3, the new 5.11 driver has made up most, by not quite all, of the performance advantage perviously held by the nVidia 7800GTX. Keep in mind that these results are our standard tests, with AA and AF turned off if possible. We have found that as soon as AA and AF are turned on the X1800XT is tops even in Open GL compared to the 7800GTX."

    Especially the last line!

    Boy I wish I could afford a PCI-e card, I may have had to jump on this mobo. But, I am quite happy right now. Maybe next year or later this year.
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  3. #3
    bolox00's Avatar Senior Member
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    yeah the a8r-mvp is good isn't it(i've got one ).

    the only thing to be aware of (for o/cing) is there appears to be a beta bios (allowing greater vcore) (and poss 'cherry picked' boards to testers)-at least that is a 'theory' on the forums.

    there might also be a lack of development on chipset drivers now NV has bought sil- just a 'conspiracy theory' maybe.

    certainly combines well with a x1800xt- particularly with AA/AF turned on-6/16 at 1600 res is very playable, which was what i was looking for when i chose this combo (the fx57 also seems to help )

    I would certainly recommend it.
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  4. #4
    Mouth watering. The ATI-Nvidia duel is becoming really interesting.

    From my experience of following Anand's recommendations (MoBO and memory) I am getting a LOT less overclock than what they published. I expected it and am happy with my results, but it definitely smells like parts sent to testers are cherry picked, not to mention special software versions (BIOS...)

    Now one more thing before we all take the plunge - shouldn't we hold our guns until we see what Socket AM2 has for us?

    My theory is that, unless you're running at 1900 or more, a pair of X1900XT's will spend most of their time waiting for the poor FX57 or FX60 to finish its processing.

    The new socket will bring a much faster memory subsystem - and that's in march, right?

    I dont know if I can resist this - checking the net every day for benchies of the X1900...

    -S- Odranoel1
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  5. #5
    I have the A8R-MVP and 2 X's X1800XT Crossfire set up in my system right now...just installed a few days ago...it's very nice
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  6. #6
    PF_Coastie's Avatar Senior Member
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    Originally posted by Hunter82:
    I have the A8R-MVP and 2 X's X1800XT Crossfire set up in my system right now...just installed a few days ago...it's very nice
    Hey Bill, good to see you again man.

    Now how about some benches for us folks not worthy of your super uber specs!

    Would be nice to see some numbers in the ATI vs Nvidia thread for your rig.

    Thanks man!
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  7. #7
    will do. I have a Father/Daughter dance to go to this afternoon so it may not be until later.
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  8. #8
    PF_Coastie's Avatar Senior Member
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    Man, that is awesome. I respect you very much for that. My faith in mankind has been restored a little bit!

    Have fun man. Cherish each one of those moments, they are hard to come by nowadays.

    But hurry back and get those benchies out!
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  9. #9
    here's just a quick one on a fresh IL2 PF install Black Death track. Stock ATI settings in PF and water 2 enabled

    2006-01-15 11:16:47 - il2fb
    Frames: 5880 - Time: 138641ms - Avg: 42.412 - Min: 20 - Max: 89

    This is at
    1600X1200

    4 X's AA Adaptive AA enabled (super sampling)
    4 X's AF HQ AF Enabled
    High Quality Mipmap
    Stock ATI Overdrive enabled no heavy OC applied and both cards on air.
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  10. #10
    3D Mark 2003 29K

    3D Mark 2005 13,376

    I haven't played around with them yet too much, had to order new water blocks to fit in the case for crossfire setup. That should be set up for next weekend.
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