2x 9800 GTX+ or 2x 260 or 1x 275 or Radeon

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Naylor07

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Nov 17, 2009
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I am building a new system, not sure all of the components yet, but it will contain an Intel i5 processor. I am seeking advise on what video card to get.

I play games like Modern Warfare 2 and other FPS in 1980 x 1200. I also do some video and photo editing with various Adobe products.

I am trying to decide between:

2x 9800 GTX+ (512mb)
2x 260 (896mb)
1x 275 (896mb)
or some kind of Radeon set-up, not extremely familiar with Radeon as I have always used Nvidia cards.

I am trying to stay under the $300 mark or somewhere close to that.

Thanks in advance!
 
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I'd honestly wait for a 5850. It's $300, Dx11, and out performs alot of single cards. You could SLI a set of 260's but you won't have DX11. Then again, if you plan on upgrading in a year that really won't matter. If you plan on having this setup for a while, I'd want a newer card with DX11 for future games.
 
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Just like DX10 was (for XP/Vista), DX11 is a factor, but it isn't dramatic. Don't let it be your main deciding factor.

I'd say a 5850 regardless, though a 5770/4890 are also great.

Nvidia
9800 GTX+ 512MB: $120
GTX 260 896MB: $165
GTX 275 896MB: $270 (though you can get a 1792MB for $290)
GTX 280 1GB: $235 (though you have to look for these, as they were EOL a long time ago. GTX 285 is a newer revision, but this is still more powerful than a GTX 275)

ATI:
4770 512MB: $110 (nice low power usage)
4870 1GB: $155
4890 1GB: $180 (king of 55nm line)
5750 1GB: $150
5770 1GB: $180
5850 1GB: $300

I recommend two GTX 260 in SLI or 4870 in crossfire. Honestly, doesn't matter which (similar performance). While you could go for a better single card solution, these budget setups are the best bang for their buck. Assuming you can handle all the problems that multi GPU configurations involve.
Not supported in all games, higher power usage, more heat, multi lane motherboard needed, SLI/XFire motherboard needed, more parts to fail.

I would go for 1GB cards, though a 896MB would do just fine. You could get cards with more, but useless unless you're running 2560x1600 16xAA/AF or multi monitors (I don't know about Abode software though).
 
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Honestly, it doesn't really matter. They are all the same with the same factory cooler. You are just paying for the support from that company. XFX has probably the best warranty. I've never had an issue with ASUS, and Sapphire is the largest distributor.
 
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Why? If he's going to be gaming, it's ALOT better to spend that $100 extra on a bettervideo card, NOT cpu.

I5 is WAAYYYYY more than enough. Even 5970x2 will still be the bottleneck by A LOT.

In fact, I'd suggest saving even $100's more and just going with a Phenom II black edition.

NOT choosing an i7 and instead going with a Phenom II, he could put all that money to get a second 5850, or wait and get a 5970.

Suggesting going from an i5 to i7 is pointless if this is about gaming, which it most likely is since it's about intense GPU processing, and most people dont use multi-threaded apps.
 
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Yes. Lots.

It depends on the game, but a lot of games (and some new games... surprisingly...) don't even use Crossfire/SLI.

As a current and past Crossfire/SLI user, I highly suggest taking one more powerful GPU over two lesser GPU's.

In fact, I suggest getting the absolute best, which is a 5870 or wait for 5970, and if too much then 5850.

Of course, I'd suggest waiting to buy ANY until the 5900's release, just in case prices drop.
 
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Nothing wrong with getting an i5 cpu and the Phenon2 955 would be good also. But since you are looking at and seem to want an intel cpu then the i7 is how I would go myself. Right now on newegg the i5 is $200 and the i7 is $288. Naylor of course it's up to you on what you want to do but the i7 is the better cpu all around and for gaming and it looks like the 1366 socket will have more leggs as well. Either cpu will serve you well, but if you have the choice then the i7 is the way to go. Also I do agree that if you can find one and can afford one then a 5870 at 19x12 gaming is the best right now.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/265612-28-best-future-proof-1156-1366

http://sakne.blogspot.com/2009/09/intels-new-core-i7-and-core-i5.html

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=3570

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/intel-core-i5,2410-10.html

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/features/core_i5
 
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The i7 runs an extra $80 I think and for my purposes seems to be a bit of overkill. Plus, moving to the 1366 socket type seems to run my build up even more in price unless I am missing a great priced board.

As for the AMD Phenon 955, is the i5 worth the extra $25 (i5- 200, Phenon - 175)?
 
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if your game doesnt support crossfire it wont run on a 5970 well... a 5970 is crossfire on a card. even though its on one card, it still functions as two cards in crossfire.
 
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just try your luck on the bjorn3d contest

Gigabyte was nice enough to pony up TWO GTX-275 Super Overclock GPU's for an Instant SLI Contest to fatten your Thanksgiving table this year.

Yes that's right rock two GTX-275 in your SLI capable rig and be the envy of all your nerd herd buddies.

We could have split these cards into two prizes but we thought since Bjorn3D readers are obviously connoisseurs of fine hardware setups we would go ahead and make someones SLI dreams come true.


Gigabyte GTX-275 Super Overclock Webpage

The lucky winner will receive two of those beauties and be the envy of every nerd in sight.

Here's the deal, two ways to enter, you may enter once by each method.


Shipping to USA/Canada Address, no P.O Box or APO allowed (I'll check on this but for now assume USA/Canada)

One valid entry per IP address (one by each method), multiple entries from the same IP address will disqualify you.

1. Complete this sentence:

The video card in my rig is so old that I think ________ designed it and I's so ready to drive those two Gigabyte GTX-275 in my SLI capable rig that I'd promise to give up __________ this Thanksgiving and never look back. (and make 10 posts in the forums)

2. Post this contest on another forum, must contain this text and a valid link to the thread to qualify.

If your not a current member just sign up, enter and start winning.

That's all you have to do to win these two Gigabyte GTX-275 Super Overclock GPU's. Complete the sentence (one entry), post this text on another live forum, make 10 posts in the forum and sit back and wait until the end of November to see if you are the lucky winner of the Gigabyte Thanksgiving Instant SLI Contest.

Winner selected by random drawing, decision is final.

Almost makes a guy wish he wasn't Staff just so he could enter.

Enjoy

LINK:: Here is the link

http://www.bjorn3d.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31265
 
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