Budget of $1400 for Graphics Cards. Expert advice appreciated

[monstermankc]

So I am purchasing Graphic cards for my son for doing a stellar job graduating college. I need some help deciding what to buy. I see so many arguments advocating for so many different types of cards so I am still at a loss as to which ones to buy. My son is a major gamer and he plays games like Crysis and other really graphic intensive games. Keep in mind I have a budget of $1400-1500 for these cards. I would like to hear an argument and some reasoning as to why I should purchase whatever cards you recommend because nothing I have heard so far has set my mind on any particular model so far. Your expert knowledge is appreciated


Here is what I have built for him so far:


Thermal Take case
Intel i7 975 CPU
EVGA 3X SLI Classified Mobo
12GB Kingston Hyper X 1600 Mghz RAM
300 Gb Velociraptor HD
1100 Watt PSU


Pretty Much the same as my own system

 

[cowgod2007]

2 radeon 5970's in quad-crossfire.

/thread

 

[monstermankc]

Thats what I was thinking unless anyone else has something to say about that

 

[oooen1gmaooo]

well w/ that kind of budget why not go w/ three GTX 470/480's

 

[cowgod2007]

well w/ that kind of budget why not go w/ three GTX 470/480's

He is only asking for graphics cards, not a stove.

 

[monstermankc]

I have heard that to but Im not sure why I would go with that option. Most people say that 2 HD 5970 would wax 3 gtx 470/480 s. Can you elaborate on that?

 

[oooen1gmaooo]

its only a stove if you dont have good air flow, get a case w/ plenty of fans and you will be good

 

[monstermankc]

I have 2 GTX 295's and they get really hot but they aren't to bad. They havnt over heated with the fans on Max ....YET :lol:

 

[Snipergod87]

He is only asking for graphics cards, not a stove.

+1!

I am pretty sure that the 1.1kW PSU woudln't run 3x 480's I dont know about 3x 470's
Dual 5970's would work just make sure your board is Crossfire capable

 

[oooen1gmaooo]

also w/ the extra money you save not getting the 5970's you could put that money into water cooling

 

[monstermankc]

I guess I dont understan. Why would 3 GTX 480's (3 GPU's) be better than 2 HD 5970's (4 GPU's). Am i missing something?

 

[cowgod2007]

The ONLY reason why I would ever recommend a (3) gtx 480's is because quad-crossfire does not scale very well. Look at this! http://www.legitreviews.com/images/reviews/726/GeForce_GTX_280_3way.jpg

There IS no airflow!

 

[monstermankc]

also w/ the extra money you save not getting the 5970's you could put that money into water cooling

Only the CPU has water cooling so far (Corsair h50). Good point

 

[oooen1gmaooo]

Take a look at this... This will help you make your decision

 

[monstermankc]

2 not 3 GTX 480's?

 

[cowgod2007]

I guess I dont understan. Why would 3 GTX 480's (3 GPU's) be better than 2 HD 5970's (4 GPU's). Am i missing something?

(1) gtx 480 beats (1) radeon 5870 by a decent margin, which is the GPU used in the 5970, and quad crossfire does not scale well.

However, you also have to consider power consumption + heat. a 5970 beats gtx 480 in that category.

 

[oooen1gmaooo]

Hes got a big budget so jus get a better PSU and Case w/ good airflow (Or water cooling)

 

[monstermankc]

1100 Watts should do the job I hope

 

[oooen1gmaooo]

"GTX 480 Tri SLI is 22% faster than 5970 Crossfire"

 

[cowgod2007]

I suggest just going regular crossfire or sli and just get (1) 5970 or (2) gtx 480's. Anything more will be overkill and you could just save that money for future upgrades. No point in splurging over 1k for graphics when in a few years it will become out of date.

 

[oooen1gmaooo]

^agreed
Two GTX 480's w/ a slight OC will do wonders, and with all the money you save you can go w/ three monitors or 3d since hes really into gaming. I plan on Dual 470's on three monitors and I cant wait!!!!

 

[monstermankc]

I think Im leaning towards 3 GTX 480's. Like I said he worked really hard to get through college and a stellar gaming system is what he has always wanted and he has never had one quiet like the one I am building him

 

[cowgod2007]

I think Im leaning towards 3 GTX 480's. Like I said he worked really hard to get through college and a stellar gaming system is what he has always wanted and he has never had one quiet like the one I am building him

Get him a strippper or something with the money you saved by going 2 gtx 480's

 

[oooen1gmaooo]

if you want a stellar system look into getting three monitors, heres some links of what it looks like
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2Bu1LA_Hss&hd=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpkF1jDkQ6w

 

[monstermankc]

I will save the stripper for his bachelor party if he ever has one :lol: