Howdy,
I'm currently running the following:
ASUS P5N32-E SLI LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard
8GB Patriot RAM (I don't have the exact specs right now)
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650 Yorkfield 3.0GHz LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80569Q9650
BFG Tech BFGR88320GTSOC2E GeForce 8800 GTS 320MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
Antec True Power Trio TP3-650 650W ATX12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply with Three 12V Rails
I use my computer mostly for programming/entertainment, but I'd like to be able to play some of the new games coming out in the near future (i.e. BF3/Diablo 3). I have dual 24" UltraSharp Dell monitors each running 1920 x 1200.
I am looking to upgrade the video card now, and the rest in a couple months or so when BF3 comes out. The ASUS board has the following connections for the video card: "2 x PCI Express x16 slot, support NVIDIA SLI technology, at full x16, x16 speed (blue) 1 x PCI Express x16, at x8 speed (white)".
Is it worthwhile to do this in 2 steps, or would I be better off just upgrading all at once? I've looked at the "Best Graphics Cards For The Money: August 2011" here on Tom's, but I'm not sure whether to go with a single video card or look into SLI. If I follow the advice on the heirarchy chart, I should be looking at a GTX 560 or better. I'd rather not have to worry about another upgrade for another 2+ years.
I'm currently running the following:
ASUS P5N32-E SLI LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard
8GB Patriot RAM (I don't have the exact specs right now)
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650 Yorkfield 3.0GHz LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80569Q9650
BFG Tech BFGR88320GTSOC2E GeForce 8800 GTS 320MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
Antec True Power Trio TP3-650 650W ATX12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply with Three 12V Rails
I use my computer mostly for programming/entertainment, but I'd like to be able to play some of the new games coming out in the near future (i.e. BF3/Diablo 3). I have dual 24" UltraSharp Dell monitors each running 1920 x 1200.
I am looking to upgrade the video card now, and the rest in a couple months or so when BF3 comes out. The ASUS board has the following connections for the video card: "2 x PCI Express x16 slot, support NVIDIA SLI technology, at full x16, x16 speed (blue) 1 x PCI Express x16, at x8 speed (white)".
Is it worthwhile to do this in 2 steps, or would I be better off just upgrading all at once? I've looked at the "Best Graphics Cards For The Money: August 2011" here on Tom's, but I'm not sure whether to go with a single video card or look into SLI. If I follow the advice on the heirarchy chart, I should be looking at a GTX 560 or better. I'd rather not have to worry about another upgrade for another 2+ years.