New computer build video card ?

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eztarget

Junior Member
Nov 16, 2011
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Okay this is a standard question concerning a new build I'm about to do.

I plan on buying Skyrim this weekend and I think my 5 year old computer with an Nvidia 280GTX will struggle with it.

Would it be better to build a new computer with two cards of lesser power in an SLI format (say two GTX 560 with 1GB) or one big card like the newer GTX 590 with 3GB of RAM?
 
happy medium

happy medium

Lifer
Jun 8, 2003
14,387
480
126
eztarget said:
Would it be better to build a new computer with two cards of lesser power in an SLI format (say two GTX 560 with 1GB) or one big card like the newer GTX 590 with 3GB of RAM?
Click to expand...

Its always best to try to use one fast card over a multi gpu based system.

welcome to the forums.
 
cmdrdredd

cmdrdredd

Lifer
Dec 12, 2001
27,052
357
126
Arkaign said:
What are the rest of your specs? Skyrim will run fine with a 280GTX.
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This...I ran the game on my GTX 295 disabling one GPU which is the equivelant of a GTX 260 (roughly) and it worked fine. I turned everything up to the highest setting and AA off @ 1920x1200. Now my 6950 is better with it, and if I turned on SLI with my 295 it would beat my 6950 by a bit.

If you want to upgrade for DX11 that's different, but specifically for skyrim you should be ok with a 280.

As for your question about SLI/CFX vs a single high end card I say a single high end card is better unless you are playing at super high resolutions in which case, a single card of any type would not be enough (multi GPU cards not included). There are certain exceptions like Crysis 2 with the DX 11 patch and high resolution textures. You need SLI or crossfire for it to run well at all if you turn everything up.
 
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eztarget

Junior Member
Nov 16, 2011
12
0
0
Arkaign said:
What are the rest of your specs? Skyrim will run fine with a 280GTX.
Click to expand...

It's from 2005 the system. It's running a Pentium D 3.20 GHz with Windows XP (32 bit) and Max RAM for a 32 bit OS (3.25 GB). I also have Windows 7 (unfortunately also 32 bit) running on the same machine in another partition but the machine is optimized to run on Windows XP so that's where I'm going to run Skyrim from.

I'm installing the game tonight I'll let you guys know how it runs. If it runs and I can hold off on buying another PC that would rock. I don't feel like building a new computer! LOL.
 
Arkaign

Arkaign

Lifer
Oct 27, 2006
20,736
1,379
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eztarget said:
It's from 2005 the system. It's running a Pentium D 3.20 GHz with Windows XP (32 bit) and Max RAM for a 32 bit OS (3.25 GB). I also have Windows 7 (unfortunately also 32 bit) running on the same machine in another partition but the machine is optimized to run on Windows XP so that's where I'm going to run Skyrim from.

I'm installing the game tonight I'll let you guys know how it runs. If it runs and I can hold off on buying another PC that would rock. I don't feel like building a new computer! LOL.
Click to expand...

That CPU will certainly hold you back a bit.

If you grabbed a barebones kit or alternatively a case (if necessary), cheap mobo/cpu (even i3 or athlon x4 631), 4gb of ddr3 you'd be in much better shape. But yeah your GPU is more than good enough to run Skyrim pretty much like a boss outside of very high AA with super high resolutions.
 
toyota

toyota

Lifer
Apr 15, 2001
12,957
1
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eztarget said:
LOL. I was afraid of this. When I installed Windows 7 on it the machine ran like crap.
Click to expand...
its just fine for basic usage but for newer games its pretty abysmal. you are probably only getting about half the performance a gtx280 is capable of. and just for modern gaming in general that cpu will not provide a playable framerate for many games.
 
S

s44

Diamond Member
Oct 13, 2006
9,427
16
81
toyota said:
a gtx280 with a 3.2 Pentium D? good grief...
Click to expand...
And 32-bit XP... the horror... the horror...

OP, 32- and 64-bit Win7 keys cross over, so if you can find a 64-bit install disk your life will be much better. And, um, you really should be running DX10.
 
mrjoltcola

mrjoltcola

Senior member
Sep 19, 2011
534
1
0
Depending on your chipset you might be able to drop in a Core 2 processor. If you are lucky and used a 945P or 945G chipset, maybe go looking for a BIOS update and a Core 2 Duo or Core 2 Extreme.

Even so, your front side bus would limit the Core 2 a bit, but just throwing it out there in case you found a processor super cheap. I personally wouldn't even throw $50 into it, because you won't get it back likely.

In the end, your best money is going to be a 2500K, and you'd find the GTX280 running way better with it, it is no slouch of a video card (as the guys pointed out above).
 
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eztarget

Junior Member
Nov 16, 2011
12
0
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Well it ran like crap as expected. I'm leaning towards a barebones rebuild.

I have an old case from 2005 ([FONT=&quot]Xplorer Mid-Tower Case 420W). I'm wondering if a new X79 motherboard will fit in it?

I figure if I'm rebuilding I might as well put a 6 core i7 3930K in it! :D

I have the GTX 280 and 800 watt muskin power supply in the case already so I was looking at this stuff on newegg:

1. AsRock X79 Extreme 4 motherboard
2. Intel Core i7-3930K CPU

Bundled for $785.00

3. Corsair 16 GB RAM (4x4) DDR3 1600

$85 bucks

4. [/FONT]Asetek 550LC Liquid Cooling System 120MM Radiator & Fan

$50 bucks

5. Windows 7 Ultimate (64 bit)

$110

6. LG Blu-Ray Burner

$70

So if I can scavenge the rest from my old computer I'm in the clear for about $1,100 bucks. Worst case I have to buy a new case for another $50 bucks.
 
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eztarget

Junior Member
Nov 16, 2011
12
0
0
tweakboy said:
Where is this world coming to. Skyrim will run even on a 8800 GT @ 1080p , no AA

grab a 460 1GB save money then buy the new nvidia 6xx.

gl
Click to expand...

Well I have about $1000 to spend so I'm going to rebuild with the future in mind. This rig should last me another 5 years.
 
mrjoltcola

mrjoltcola

Senior member
Sep 19, 2011
534
1
0
Putting your $1000 budget into an X79 build with the 280 is going to max out the 280, but won't get you as much gaming power as a 2500K or 2600K with a better graphics card. X79 is really for people needing 32GB RAM+ or who need 6-core (or who just have a bid budget). It will be a lower overclock than a quad core, requiring more cooling as well. But by all means, go for it, just be forewarned, you'll be wanting a new video card afterwards.

A 2500K with a GTX 560 or 6950 is going to seriously outperform your X79 build with the 280.

You'd have room in that budget for a GTX 570 even.
 
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dmoney1980

Platinum Member
Jan 17, 2008
2,471
38
91
eztarget said:
Well I have about $1000 to spend so I'm going to rebuild with the future in mind. This rig should last me another 5 years.
Click to expand...


If it was my money, I would spend it on a i7 2600k + a killer GPU instead. Spending close to $800 just for the CPU / Mobo is overkill for me, but hey it's your money.

You can see here that the majority of games see less than 5% FPS increase (with WoW being the one exception, and some games performing better on the 2600) - http://www.anandtech.com/show/5091/...-bridge-e-review-keeping-the-high-end-alive/6

Take that money and buy a i7 2600k and OC the hell out of it. Then buy a killer GPU and pair that up with a nice 120gb+ SSD.

EDIT: By the way, where do you live? You might have a Micro Center near you
 
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happy medium

happy medium

Lifer
Jun 8, 2003
14,387
480
126
x79 system? way too exspensive.

Grab a z68 board, with a 2500k, 8gb ram for much less and 99% of the performance.
thats about 450$
Add a good air cooler for 50$
windows 7 110$
BR burner for 70$
Add 2 6870 2gb cards for 370$AR

Thats about 1000$ and will destroy games at ultra settings.

links..
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128498
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150563
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428
 
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eztarget

Junior Member
Nov 16, 2011
12
0
0
Thanks guys for all the advice. I think I'm rethinking it now. I'll look at the 2600K route.

I live in Ithaca, NY so I doubt anything is near me. LOL.
 
happy medium

happy medium

Lifer
Jun 8, 2003
14,387
480
126
eztarget said:
Thanks guys for all the advice. I think I'm rethinking it now. I'll look at the 2600K route.

I live in Ithaca, NY so I doubt anything is near me. LOL.
Click to expand...

The 2600k will make little to no difference compared to a 2500k when gaming, save the 100$.

The z68 boards will be upgradable to Ivybridge mid next year.
 
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LgFriess

Member
Nov 17, 2008
38
0
0
Running an e8400 gtx280 settings on high. Runs great. Wonder why yours ran so poorly. I am still running Vista though.
 
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