So much confusion

[Gwart]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Black Friday

USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: (e.g.: Gaming [BF3, LOL, Metro2033, Rage], home theater/watching movies)

CURRENT GPU AND POWER SUPPLY: 8800GTS but this is going into a new build. Plan on getting a 750W Silver rated PSU

OTHER RELEVANT SYSTEM SPECS: i5 on a Z68 mobo.

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com, tigerdirect, ncix.com

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA

PARTS PREFERENCES: None

OVERCLOCKING: No
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:

My main problem for my new build is that I have no idea what is better in the long run. I pretty much have a budget of 1200-1500 for my total build.

After all the parts (PSU HD, CPU, RAM, CASE, etc) I'm right around 920 bucks. With my remaining budget I want to get the best GPU(s) possible. Here is my problem:

When I look at the Nvidia GTX 580 I see a $500 dollar monster card that should run everything I want at max settings(for now). Plus the 750 watt power supply can handle one 580. Also down the line if I want to upgrade in the future I can SLI the 580 with another one and just update my PSU.

When I look at the AMD 6950 (which I can unlock to 6970s) in crossfire I see the option for everything to run in ultra for like 2-3 years. Downfall here is I have to upgrade my PSU which will probably push me over my budget. Also down the line there has to be a diminishing returns for adding additional cards.

I am fully aware that eventually all systems are obsolete and I will be building another another computer in 5 years. I just want best bang for my buck

How many watt PSU will I need for 2 6950 in crossfire?

What is the best option for long run? I would hate to spend 1500 on a system and then download BF3 only to play it on high settings. If I'm going to drop that kind of cash I really want to be impressed with what I get for the money.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[drew455]

as much as i hate it, there are some games that run better on nvidia gpu's while there really aren't any that run better on amd's. not to say that amd's arent faster in some games but some games seem to make amd's gpu's look crippled. just the way their coded.

i read somewhere that the new amd gpu's will be out soon. before the end of the year i think? might be around the time of your approximate purchase date. might be worth waiting for. especially cuz the high end ones there will use XDR2 instead of GDDR5. may or may not meet all the hype.

i'd wait.

 

[phamhlam]

You should wait but if you can't, get a EVGA GTX 570 classified. It will last you a long time and you can always SLI later to increase performance. You should worry much about your PSU since 750watt can handle a GTX 580