Right amount of memory for 1920x1200

[execut1ve]

Hello all,

I'm in the midst of putting together a new (gaming) computer build. I've settled on just about everything except the graphics card (which I thought I had decided already). The list:

ASUS P6X58D-E LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Motherboard

Intel Core i7-950 Bloomfield 3.06GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor

Western Digital Caviar Black WD5002AALX 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive

Antec Twelve Hundred V3 Black Steel ATX Full Tower Case

Antec EarthWatts EA-650 GREEN 650W Power Supply

Crucial Ballistix Tracer 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory

EVGA 01G-P3-1371-AR GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) FPB EE 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

Everything but the video card is pretty much set in stone at this point. My computer budget just got a little boost though so now I'm looking at the 560. I worry that the 460 will suffer at 1920x1200 with only 1G memory and that a 2G 560 (maybe ti) might do better. I'd like to spend not much more than $250 on the card. Any thoughts/opinions appreciated

 

[wolfram23]

2gb is not much of an advantage at all.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-6950-1gb-benchmark,3041-13.html

This was the only game that showed any sort of advantage to 2gb, and that's only with 4xAA on. I play this game at 1080p with my CF 5850 1gb cards, Very High settings, 4xMSAA and get around 50-55 fps.

 

[execut1ve]

I do enjoy some AA. perhaps I should go with the 2G then.

 

[k1114]

While they are an excellent company, look at it in another perspective, another company could give you a better experience but you didn't give them a chance. I did state some other major differences.

The 2gb 560ti seems to be $280, $40 more than an equivalent 1gb model. http://www.amazon.com/MSI-Computer-Video-Card-N560GTX/dp/B005RAUOQ8/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1318958058&sr=8-8 It's out of stock every time I look on newegg. Going to the lower 560 shows no difference in the same game 1gb vs 2, as shown in the earlier article. The performance of the cards seems to be right on the edge of where the extra vram makes a difference, which explains why the 570 comes with 1.2gb standard.

 

[execut1ve]

well stated (re the video memory). FYi the 2G version of the 560ti for $280 is in stock atm.

I don't deny that there are other good and reputable companies out there making motherboards, it's just a personal preference. If you have a board in mind that has the features I need at a better price, I'm listening. I'm still a bit fuzzy on what features I'm looking for in a board for this build, so I'm glad of any/all advice

 

[wolfram23]

I do enjoy some AA. perhaps I should go with the 2G then.

Bear in mind I was trying to point out the worst case scenario - the most demanding game (metro 2033) at 2560x1600. At standard resolution (1080p) the difference is non existant. If you look over the article you'll see that Metro was the ONLY game to show a benefit for 2gb, and it was in the one extreme situation. IMO save a little cash and get the 1gb model.

I'd only say get a 2gb card if you're planning on first of all going with SLI/Crossfire, and secondly going with a massive display setup. Otherwise at this time I don't think there's much point.

As for mobos, I like the Asus "Pro" versions like the P8Z68-V Pro. Otherwise I'd say look to Gigabyte probably.

 

[jyjjy]

If you are already looking at $280 for the card the GTX 570 can be had for not much more after rebate. Might as well.

 

[execut1ve]

heh no I like what I'm hearing, $280 was a bit of a stretch. I don't mind toning down to the 1G. still stumped on a mb though

 

[jyjjy]

$290 and a free game;
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127552
You know you wanna.

 

[execut1ve]

lol thanks but I'll pass, I think I'll settle on the cheapest 1G version of the 560ti I can find, I can always bump up the clocks for free myself. I'm continuing the motherboard discussion in the appropriate subforum

 

[execut1ve]

Best answer selected by Execut1ve.

 

[Mousemonkey]

This topic has been closed by Mousemonkey