Need help selecting a GPU for new gaming rig

[rukevre]

Hello, I'm going to link the build I am planning on purchasing because in all likelihood it will help answer any questions you might have directed back at me. I would like to say in advance however, I have little experience with PC components, I've been an avid gamer for years but have always had to use a laptop with low-mid settings. I had a good financial year this year and would like to invest in a gaming rig that is powerful but not over the top price wise. My biggest question remains my GPU, I would prefer nVidia because I've had negative experiences with AMD in the past.

I know Kepler is on the horizon due March / April, however I work away from home for long lengths of time and I would like to purchase and use my new rig soon and get a few months on it before leaving to work again. Initially I have selected the GTX 580 as my GPU, and I intended to later add a second one. Would this be a viable option? And would simply swapping to a Kepler series card be more effective or more viable than just adding a second GTX 580 in future?

I appreciate your thoughts / comments in advance.


Processor:
Intel Core i7 2600K Quad Core Unlocked Hyperthreading Processor LGA1155 3.4GHZ Sandy Bridge 8MB
http://www.ncix.com/products/produ [...] &sku=57960

CPU Heatsink:
Corsair Cooling Hydro Series H80 High Performance CPU Cooler System LGA775 1366 1156 1155 AM2 AM3
http://www.ncix.com/products/produ [...] &sku=61379

Motherboard:
Gigabyte Z68X-UD3H-B3 ATX LGA1155 Z68 DDR3 1PCI-E16 3PCI-E1 2PCI HDMI SLI SATA3 USB3.0 Motherboard
http://www.ncix.com/products/produ [...] &sku=61002

Ram: (Is upgrading it from 8gb -> 16gb worth it?)
Corsair CMZ8GX3M2A1866C9 Vengeance 8GB 2X4GB DDR3-1866 CL9-10-9-27 Memory Kit
http://www.ncix.com/products/produ [...] &sku=58165

Video Card:
1x GeForce GTX 580 772MHZ 1536MB 4GHZ GDDR5 PCI-E Dual DVI-I Mini HDMI
http://www.ncix.com/products/produ [...] &sku=56817

Computer Case:
Corsair Obsidian Series 800D Full Tower Case EATX 5X5.25 4X3.5 Hotswappable 2X3.5INT No PS USB 1394
http://www.ncix.com/products/produ [...] &sku=41960

Power Supply:
Corsair Professional HX850W 850W ATX 12V 70A 24PIN ATX Modular Power Supply Active PFC 140MM Fan
http://www.ncix.com/products/produ [...] &sku=38650

Harddrive:
Seagate Barracuda 1TB 7200RPM 64MB SATA 6Gbps 3.5IN Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.ncix.com/products/produ [...] &sku=65701

SSD:
Corsair Force Series 3 60GB SSD SATA3 Solid State Disk 525MB/S Read SandForce SF-2200
http://www.ncix.com/products/produ [...] &sku=64569

 

[sosofm]

Nobody know how the Kepler will be. Buy an 580 and add another one later.

 

[spookyman]

I know you are set on the GTX 580 but you could go with AMD's newer 7970 that is faster, uses less power for the same price as the GTX 580. You can always crossfire with another one too.

 

[sunnk]

hd 7950 will be the best choice now for gpu agree with sosofm that nobody knows that how kepler is going to be so get an single hd 7950 with newer tech and this card has the 28nm archietecture which is going to be in kepler also so you should go with this.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102962

buy this one for cheaper price and good performance.

 

[sunnk]

^ crossfire with another one whenever you think.

 

[sosofm]

I agree with @spookyman and @sunnk , 7950 , 7970 are the best single gpu video cards at this time and both are better than 580.