Final Questions on I7 Build!

[pinibo]

As some of you know I am on the verge of finalizing my order for all of my parts.

I7 Build - No $ Limit, No Waste.
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/forum2.php?config=tomshardwareus.inc&cat=31&post=264208&page=1&p=1&sondage=0&owntopic=1&trash=0&trash_post=0&print=0&numreponse=0&quote_only=0&new=0&nojs=0

I still have two dilemmas. One is the video card(s) and the other is the size of the PSU.

The requirements are that the video card(s) can play Crysis Warhead and Far Cry 2, and that it can be played on a 24" monitor.

Right now I am hesitating between a GTX 295, or two GTX 285 or possibly two GTX 275.

My first dilemma: Which Card(s) is/are the best one(s) to fully play said games at 1920x1200? Better to go with one and update to newer one down the road? Go with two now? How do you see it?

My second dilemma:What size CPU for now and down the road?

By the way, there is an excellent buy for the Samsung T240HD at PC Connection: $299.95 with free shipping plus NO tax for Florida. It beats NewEgg which also has shipping costs!
http://www.pcconnection.com/IPA/Shop/Product/Detail.htm?sku=8672881&oext=1010A&srccode=cii_5784816&cpncode=21-16402380-2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001280

Thanks

pinibo

 

[pinibo]

Anybody?

 

[daidalas]

get one gtx 275 and save yourself some $

then get a better card with DirectX 11 later this year

 

[pinibo]

Probably makes sense. Could upgrade the card with EVGA!

Can it play both mentioned games?

 

[foolycooly]

You won't be able to max the games on a 24" with the gtx275. You will certainly be able to play them though...I personally own a GTX295 and it performs like a champ in crysis...Ultra High settings and even some AA if you so desire. I hear warhead is more optimized and runs better, so I would say a 295 will handle those games with ease at max.

In terms of pure performance...two GTX 285s takes the cake...but the gtx295 is the most powerful single-card (two GPU) solution.

 

[pinibo]

How about 2x GTX 275? I was lead to believe that they top the GTX 295.

What size PSU?

 

[foolycooly]

two 275s will probably outperform the 295. The 295 is essentially two 260s running in SLI with slightly faster clocks.

 

[Helloworld_98]

the 295 is dual 275's with slower clocks.

and I don't know when the 4890 X2 comes out but it will be better than the GTX 295 and probably cost $50 less since this is AMD we're talking about.

 

[Kill@dor]

 

[Kill@dor]

There is no point in buying 2 GTX275's then...right? If he can just get one for now....then later get a better DX11 card with higher clocks that would be gold. Although, i'm not sure exactly what the value of those new cards will look like. AMD is stepping it up after being the underdog...^_^

 

[jjbtexas]

dont play that game, if you wait till this card comes out then you will realize that card will come out soon after that. get a 295

also a Tx 850 would be fine, i have one powering my i7 with 2x 285

 

[pinibo]

Thanks all. You have helped me make up my mind.

This also helped:
http://www.bjorn3d.com/read.php?cID=1554

I am going with 2x EVGA GTX 275. and if something newer comes out in next 90 days I might step up.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130478

Only thing left is my PSU. I might just go with the Corsair 1000W...and get the advantage of modular!

 

[Kill@dor]

Sounds great man...but even 850W PSU can handle those 2 cards. You don't want to overwatt your system...it can bottleneck too and cause your system to stall because of power overflow. Since you are getting 2 cards, that should not be an issue...

1000W for the record is still great. And its future proof. Don't forget to post specs and results when you can...I would like to know how your system runs ^_^

 

[pinibo]

Would Corsair 850W be future proof for awhile assuming I step up to two new cards?

 

[Kill@dor]

Yea, i definately think it is. Modular cabling with 80-85W energy save feavures might be good too, but thats up to you. The 1000W is just more future proof in the sense that you want to build a monster machine later...which honestly a $5000 rig can be out performed by a $2500 rig!! So anyway, we will say 1000W-1200W are a good choices for these 2, just to be safe because i don't know what other compnents you will add. They will increase the need for power too, expecially if you have a ton of HD's ^_^. GTX 275 550W for 1 card is a lot tho...and you probably will be paying quite a bit for your electric bill if you run your PC everyday... just my 2 cents.