New Gaming Rig

[norfolk89]

Okay this is the first time I've even looked at gfx cards since i bought my old ATI x800XT Plat Ed back in the day. So I've been bombarded with model numbers from ATI/NV that I just have no idea how they represent in performance. I've owned both ATI and NV and for the time I used them, enjoyed both.

Here's what i got so far

Processor: Intel® Core? i7-920 2.66 GHz 8M L3 Cache LGA1366

GFX: ?

MB: Asus P6T Deluxe V2 Intel X58 Chipset SLI/CrossFireX Mainboard SAS Triple-Channel DDR3/1600 SATA w/ eSATA,Dual GbLAN,USB2.0,IEEE1394a,&7.1Audio

Memory: 6GB (2GBx3) DDR3/1800MHz Triple Channel Memory Module

ViewSonic VX2835WM True 1080P with HDMI Wide Color 1920x1200

------------------------------------

What do you recommend to fit with that setup? Are dual video cards worth it? Will one nice card, be better than dual average? Should i go dual nice!? lol. I'm willing to throw down some money, but not a fortune.

Could someone recommend, "a budget video card setup, an average, and an amazing"?

Thanks <3

heard good things about these forums

 

[z1ggy]

You really don't need SLI setup..overkill for you here.

Average- HD 4870
Nice-4890 ( Recommended)
Amazing- GTX 285 model

Price Ranges
Average: $50-100
Nice. $100-250
Amazing $250-400
Overkill-$400-Don't spend this much unless you have the money to blow

You can find ltos of rebates online. Unless you are a serious gamer and do lots of video intensive things..I don't think the "amazing" Category is worth the money. Getting a 4890 now and saving money for possibley another one to add in the future..or save your money for next gen cards is going to be most cost effective.

 

[norfolk89]

Thanks alot z1ggy, I appreciate it!

 

[DaveSimmons]

If you're in the US, see the Hot Deals forum for an ATI 4890 for under $160 after rebates.

 

[Jephph]

Originally posted by: z1ggy
You really don't need SLI setup..overkill for you here.

Average- HD 4870
Nice-4890 ( Recommended)
Amazing- GTX 285 model

Price Ranges
Average: $50-100
Nice. $100-250
Amazing $250-400
Overkill-$400-Don't spend this much unless you have the money to blow

You can find ltos of rebates online. Unless you are a serious gamer and do lots of video intensive things..I don't think the "amazing" Category is worth the money. Getting a 4890 now and saving money for possibley another one to add in the future..or save your money for next gen cards is going to be most cost effective.

Just want to clarify z1ggy's statements, since his Average, Nice, and Amazing recommendations don't match up with his Average, Nice, Amazing prices.

The HD4870 runs ~$150
The HD4890 can be had for ~$170
The GTX 285 is ~$300

Two HD4870s will destroy a GTX 285, so I wouldn't recommend a GTX 285.

My recommendations would be:
Average- HD4830- $80 shipped
Nice- HD4870 1GB- $150
Amazing- HD4890- $170 or HD4850X2- $210

 

[Wreckage]

GTX285 is the fastest single GPU card you can get.

GTX295 is the fastest card you can get.

If you are looking for the absolute best in performance.

 

[z1ggy]

I think your on crack if you think the 4890 is considered "amazing" and you liste dit for $210. OP my prices were for AR..I looked on newegg.com while I was typing prices. The hot deals section you can get that 4890 for dirt cheap. A lot of times you can get it for under $200 with just a regular ol' mail in rebate.

 

[Jephph]

Read again z1g. I posted that the HD4890 is ~$170. The 4850X2 is ~210.
And yes, I do think the HD4890 is Amazing without losing a lot of performance per dollar by spending more.

 

[Jephph]

If you want to spend more than $200 and want some amazing performance, knowing that your performance/price ratio is dropping, then yeah, go ahead and put a couple of 4890s together in Crossfire. They'll compete well with a GTX 295 for a lot less.

 

[Jephph]

Originally posted by: z1ggy
I think your on crack if you think the 4890 is considered "amazing" and you liste dit for $210. OP my prices were for AR..I looked on newegg.com while I was typing prices. The hot deals section you can get that 4890 for dirt cheap. A lot of times you can get it for under $200 with just a regular ol' mail in rebate.

I think you're on crack if you think the GTX 285 is amazing. Sure, it's the fastest single card available, but it's price/performance ratio is horrible compared to the 4890.

 

[z1ggy]

Well he didnt mention price or any price to performance ratios. Yes, you aRE right, the 4890 is the best bang for buck now.

 

[Jephph]

Originally posted by: z1ggy
Well he didnt mention price or any price to performance ratios. Yes, you aRE right, the 4890 is the best bang for buck now.

I think it's pretty much a given that people don't want to waste their money.
lol

OP, do you want to get your money's worth, or would you like me to burn some for you, hahaha.

 

[Dkcode]

Its not always down to cost. Some people have more luck with ATI, some nVidia.

Personally i don't like the current AMD setup. I think their cards run to hot and i'm not a big fan of the drivers. I would put money on nVidia 'personally'.

If we was having this conversation 4 years ago i would have said "go ATI".

 

[Binky]

ATI 4890 for ~$130 in hot deals forum after rebates, coupons, ebillme, etc. You'd be crazy to not jump on this.

 

[Woofmeister]

Don't forget the GTX 275. It beats a 4890, and comes within a hair of the GTX 285. Available right now for $199 with no rebates or coupons needed.

 

[norfolk89]

I dont' want to spend any more than 2k. If i can get dual vid's in that price range I'll think about it.

If I were to get ONE card which would you suggest for under 2k...

and if i were to dual them up, which would you suggest

(I'm just trying to look @ all options)

 

[Jephph]

Could you specify how much you're willing to spend just on the Graphics Card? I know you listed your parts in the OP, but we don't know where you're getting them from or what other parts you're going to need in your build (PSU, Case??)

If you mean 2k just for the video, then get a few water cooled GTX 295's OCed .

 

[Wreckage]

Originally posted by: Jephph

If you mean 2k just for the video, then get a few water cooled GTX 295's OCed .

Yeah is that 2k in US$? :shocked:

 

[norfolk89]

yes

 

[Jephph]

Yes, like... seriously? You want to spend 2 THOUSAND dollars on just the graphics for this system? I think you mean 2 hundred. That or 2k for the whole build.

 

[norfolk89]

# CASE: New! CoolerMaster Elite 310 Mid-Tower 420W Case with See-Thur Side Panels
# POWER SUPPLY Upgrade: 1, 000 Watts Power Supplies (Azza Gaming Active PFC Power Supply SLI/CrossFire Ready)
# CPU: Intel® Core? i7-920 2.66 GHz 8M L3 Cache LGA1366
# COOLING FAN : Asetek Liquid CPU Cooling System (Extreme Cooling Performance + Extreme Silent at 20dBA)
# MOTHERBOARD: Asus P6T SE Intel X58 Chipset CrossFireX Mainboard Triple-Channel DDR3/1600 SATA RAID w/ eSATA, GbLAN, USB2.0, IEEE1394a, & 7.1Audio
# MEMORY: 6GB (2GBx3) DDR3/1800MHz Triple Channel Memory Module (Kingston HyperX)
# VIDEO CARD: NVIDIA GeForce GTX285 2GB 16X PCIe Video Card (Major Brand Powered by NVIDIA)
# VIDEO CARD 2: NVIDIA GeForce GTX285 2GB 16X PCIe Video Card (Major Brand Powered by NVIDIA)
# VIDEO CARD 3: None
# MULTIPLE VIDEO CARD SETTINGS: Xtreme Performance in SLI/CrossFireX Gaming Mode Supports Single Monitor
# LCD Monitor: 26& quot; TFT Active Matrix LCD Display (Asus VW266H 26& quot; (25.5& quot; Viewable) Wide Screen Full HD 1080p TFT Active Matrix XGA LCD Display 1920x1200 w/ HDMI Interface)
# HARD DRIVE: Single Hard Drive (500GB SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 16MB Cache 7200RPM HDD)
# Optical Drive: (Special Price) LG 20X DVD±R/±RW + CD-R/RW DRIVE DUAL LAYER (BLACK COLOR)
# SOUND: HIGH DEFINITION ON-BOARD 7.1 AUDIO
# NETWORK: Onboard Gigabit LAN Network
# KEYBOARD: XtremeGear (Black Color) USB Keyboard
# MOUSE: XtremeGear Optical USB 3 Buttons Gaming Mouse
# Extra Thermal Display : NONE
# Wireless 802.11B/G Network Card: Linksys WMP110 802.11 b/g/n Range Plus PCI Wireless Adapter Network Card

This is what i got configured, its running ~2,000 US. Is that a good pick for the gfx? the dual 285's? or is it better to get a higher 295 etc.

 

[norfolk89]

(sry repost)

 

[Wreckage]

Originally posted by: norfolk89


This is what i got configured, its running ~2,000 US. Is that a good pick for the gfx? the dual 285's? or is it better to get a higher 295 etc.

That's looks pretty darn good. A 295 is like 2 275s on one card. So what you have would be faster.

 

[norfolk89]

"That's looks pretty darn good. A 295 is like 2 275s on one card. So what you have would be faster."

those are 2, 285's not sure if that was a typo

 

[Wreckage]

Originally posted by: norfolk89
"That's looks pretty darn good. A 295 is like 2 275s on one card. So what you have would be faster."

those are 2, 285's not sure if that was a typo

Yeah, I was saying that the 295 is like 2 275s, so your 2 285s would be faster.