1680x1050 card thoughts...

[BradF1979]

I'm upgrading my PC with quite a few new components. 5850's are OOS everywhere and I'd like to order ASAP. My budget is $700. With the other required parts, RAM and PS I have two options for CPU/Mobo and Video.

My gaming resolution is 1680x1050 which will probably stay that way for quite a while, it could eventually to to full 1080P (1920x1080) but that will be a while...

My two core component choices are:

Core i5/750 2.66Ghz with Gigabyte GA-P55-UD4 and either a 5770 or a 4890 (or possibly a GTX 260 Core 216).

or

AMD Phenom II 955 BE with Asus M4A79XTD EVO and two 5770's in crossfire (limited to x8/x8 on that motherboard).

--

Both of these come to the same price... I'd like for the system to last my 2.5 years, same as my current one has lasted (it's a E6600 with 8800 GTS 640mb...

Alternatively, I could just order the i5 system, without a video card and wait a bit and see if I can get a $200 card (maybe a 5790 if they exist)...

 

[garritynet]

I have a AMD PHII940 with a single 5770 and it runs great. Are there any games in particular that you were interested in? I could tell you what settings I use if I play the same game.

I would avoid Crossfire if at all possible, especially at 1680. Also, why not just go the AMD/5770 route and throw in a SSD as a boot drive instead of an extra 5770? The OCZ Vertex 30gig drives are $99 AR for the next few hours?

 

[Indus]

I personally like the GTX 260 core 216 since I have it. I just upgraded to it for 1680x 1050 and it has been nothing less than almost double my framerate from a 8800 GT in some games and atleast 30-40%.

The only reason I chose it over the 4890 was because it was less noisy and could be had for $20 cheaper.

 

[Zillatech]

I would wait the little bit to pick up a HD5850, or even a 5870 on the higher end. You said you wanted your system to last 2.5 years well, get the DX11 card then hands down. I love my GTX275 but I'm already looking for an upgrade and I run 1680 x 1050 right now.

I don't think it will be that long to get a HD58xx series card, just watch closely and snag it when you can. I am also concerned about quiet operation and thats why I was looking at Sapphire's Vapor-X series for the HD58xx

I will say that my EVGA GTX275 (Stock) is very quiet as is the GTX260 (55nm). Also take into consideration your preference on drivers, etc. If Nvidia is equal to than I generally go with Nvidia. ATI/AMD has to be better by a good clip for me to choose them and right now the 58xx series is better than Nvidia's GTX 200 series and is also DX11 ready.

If you do prefer Nvidia, I would highly recommend the card I'm running now.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130475

 

[cbn]

I'm upgrading my PC with quite a few new components. 5850's are OOS everywhere and I'd like to order ASAP. My budget is $700. With the other required parts, RAM and PS I have two options for CPU/Mobo and Video.

My gaming resolution is 1680x1050 which will probably stay that way for quite a while, it could eventually to to full 1080P (1920x1080) but that will be a while...

My two core component choices are:

Core i5/750 2.66Ghz with Gigabyte GA-P55-UD4 and either a 5770 or a 4890 (or possibly a GTX 260 Core 216).

or

AMD Phenom II 955 BE with Asus M4A79XTD EVO and two 5770's in crossfire (limited to x8/x8 on that motherboard).

--

Both of these come to the same price... I'd like for the system to last my 2.5 years, same as my current one has lasted (it's a E6600 with 8800 GTS 640mb...

Alternatively, I could just order the i5 system, without a video card and wait a bit and see if I can get a $200 card (maybe a 5790 if they exist)...

Core i5 750 because you are saying single 1680x1050 monitor.

If you were going to run Eyefinity I would go Phenom II/HD5850 by all means.

 

[BradF1979]

Thanks for all the advice guys... 5850's are in stock now at NewEgg... I realize I'd be paying a $60 premium at this price...

What about something like this?

http://imgur.com/TdNGp.jpg

Is it overkill on the video card with regards to the processor speed?

 

[Zillatech]

I don't think its overkill, but then again nothing is ever fast enough for me you can always up the AA and AF to tax the card more.

 

[lopri]

A good quality 1080p (23~24") pannels can be had for $250.. If your budget is $700 then there is no excuse not to get one before purchasing a GPU. (Unless you're saving up for something even bigger?)

 

[garritynet]

I would get a quad core.

 

[BradF1979]

A good quality 1080p (23~24") pannels can be had for $250.. If your budget is $700 then there is no excuse not to get one before purchasing a GPU. (Unless you're saving up for something even bigger?)

I'm saving up for a 55-65" LCD for my living room which will put the 40" currently in my living room in my bedroom, then my 32" in my bedroom on my desk...

Still looking for thoughts on this:

http://imgur.com/TdNGp.jpg

Also, does anyone know if this old power supply with work with that new board? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371002

The motherboard connector looks the same, but it looks like the new motherboard requires some 8 pin additional ATX connector...

 

[Zillatech]

Never skimp on a Power Supply, I would not try using the old one. It might have the same connectors but 12v power and quality is a must for today's graphics cards.

Definitely get a new Power Supply with your build. Also, you can always upgrade monitors, Video Cards and Memory easily so put your money into a quality MB, CPU and Power Supply first. Those are parts you don't want to upgrade or replace unless you absolutely have to.

 

[cusideabelincoln]

That power supply should work fine with just about any single GPU setup.

The 8-pin connector you see is an EPS connector for the CPU. Lucky for you is that the 4-pin CPU connector can fit into an 8 pin slot, and there is a chance the mobo doesn't need an 8 pin to function. 8 pin would be necessary if you wanted to overclock or use high TDP chips.

You could also just buy an 8 pin adapter.