which GPU to choose

[kefegg]

Hi guys,

In General Hardware I suggested a new system I wanna build and I got some directions about PSU and things. So What I'm planning to buy is this config:
-2x Samsung SpinPoint F3 Desktop Class HD502HJ 500GB
-Sony Optiarc AD-5260S
-Kingston HyperX geheugen - 6 GB : 3 x 2 GB - DIMM 240-pins - DDR3 CL7
-Intel Core i5 2500K / 3.3 GHz
-Gigabyte GA-P67A-UD3-B3 (rev. 1.1)
-MSI N560GTX-Ti Twin Frozr II/OC
-Antec Three Hundred
-Antec TruePower New TP-550

Now The GPU seems to be a problem. Not really for me but for my son.

I prefer Nvidia for it's good drivers and being able of working without issues in Ubuntu, he uses Windows.
Now my son came with the suggestion to buy a HD6950. He mentioned that there are some good linux drivers and that the 6950(2gb) is way better for playing new games.
He even want to pay some money to me to get a card like that.

I did some search to and I noticed that power consumption in high loads is less high then the msi N560GTX ti, so I guess that the PSU is good and does not have to be changed.

Okay, so there goes my question:
There is Asus, Msi, Sapphire en Xfx and they cost a little more then the 560GTX ti.
Is there any card or brand that, you guys, recommend (reason)?
Or should I just stay with 'my' decision and keep the 560GTX

By the way, Now I'm still using an old Syncmaster 713N (17") but the screen will be changed soon for a Dell U2311H (ips screen)

Update:

While searching for reviews and stuff I came across this one http://lanoc.org/review/hardware/video-cards/4929-sapphire-flex-hd-6950-2gb
And the benchmark results here are not that much difference, sometimes the gtx 560 is faster.
Seems also that they suggest to use an AMD 'proof' PSU.

 

[RussianSensation]

-2x Samsung SpinPoint F3 Desktop Class HD502HJ 500GB

Imo 1 TB hard drive is > 2 unless you are going with Raid 1 setup for backup? Ideally get a 60GB SSD for OS and 1TB or larger hard drive for storage. Even 2TB drives are very cheap nowdays. For example, Samsung F4 2TB is an excellent storage drive.

-Kingston HyperX geheugen - 6 GB : 3 x 2 GB - DIMM 240-pins - DDR3 CL7

- CL7 is a waste for SB platform. DDR3 1600 CL 9 is all you need. Also, P67 is a dual-channel platform, so going with 3x 2GBs of ram doesn't make sense. Also, you'd be losing all 3 slots across 6GBs of ram only.

Get 8GB of Corsair Vengeance DDR3 1600 with 1.5V for $75 (coupon which expires today). Also, G.Skill makes excellent ram. Kingston tends to be overpriced.

Gigabyte GA-P67A-UD3-B3 (rev. 1.1)

Decent board but if you are going to be overclocking, I'd grab something like Asus P8P67 or Gigabyte UD3P/UD3R series. It also doesn't support the latest UEFI bios interface. Generally Gigabyte makes solid boards, so if you aren't overclocking, it will suffice.

Intel Core i5 2500K / 3.3 GHz

No aftermarket cooler?

MSI N560GTX-Ti Twin Frozr II/OC
Is there any card or brand that, you guys, recommend (reason)?
Or should I just stay with 'my' decision and keep the 560GTX

$250 for an 880mhz overclock? Not worth it. Even at 950mhz, the 560 can't convincingly beat an HD6950 1GB. For $30 more you can get an HD6950 2GB which you can unlock into a 6970. It will take a 1000mhz GTX560 just to match a stock 6970.

If you still want to get an overclocked 560 and not bother with unlocking the 6950, I would consider the 950mhz Gigabyte one for $245. I think that's a better deal than the MSI 560.

If you are going to use Linux, I'd lean towards NV.

-Antec Three Hundred -Antec TruePower New TP-550

That PSU is $89 for 550 Watts? I would get the Corsair 650 V2 instead.

 

[kefegg]

1.The 2 hdd are one for Windows 7 and one for Ubuntu 11.04. SDD sounds nice but I'm having doubts about formatting them in to EXT4. And because "I" use only Linux I don't wanna install Win7 on a SSD.

2.The memory is a bad from me. When I read your answer I saw my mistake.
I had the intention to buy 8Gb ram but 6 would do also. I thought it was 2x3GB (which is not) And when I use the pc builder from my shop, it tells me that the 1600 ram is not supported by the processor. So you suggest exactly? (I'm not a benchmarkfreak)

3. Mobo, I don't have any idea what to take, only now to take minimum UD3.
So I'm open for any suggestion. But I don't wanna spend more then 185USD (125euro's)

4. I'm not planning to OC but maybe as reserve I chose for 2500K. 2500 without K is exactly the same, right? Except for not being unlocked.
The stock cooler should do just fine, some of the people on this forum tell me so.
I'm even beginning to think to take the 2500 instead of the 2500K. So that my son cannot mess up my computer because he's messing around for getting it faster.

5. GPU: I started with a Nvidia 460GTX but my son made me chose for the 560GTX. It got some good reviews.
But when he told me about the 6950 (2gb) I was only interested in Linux drivers. So, I don't game in Linux, except for Educational Kids games (like 1dimensional games for the youngest in the house)
For the rest the GPU's power will be used the most in Windows7 for gaming.
So you suggest 6950 2gb will please the boy more than what I had in mind to buy?
Which version (brand), I preffer quit, but I see that the sound production is pretty quit for all of them.

6. The PSU is the last in mind to buy. I started with a CM 700 silent pro (for a light game pc / ubuntu pc)
Came across a X series from Seasonic but that was pretty expensive and ended up with this one.
I should search a PSU around 500 watts, is what I've been told.

 

[Rifter]

I've used linux for a while now with multiple GPU's from both AMD and Nvidia and I would stick to Nvidia IMO.

Thats said the system looks solid and getting the Non K version is not needed to keep your son from messing with it just put a Bios password on it and dont tell him what it is.

I've had good luck with MSI cards lately but really any of the top tier card makers will be just fine.

 

[kefegg]

I never thought of that :thumbsup:

But what about the Mobo RussianSensation mentioned? He would change it for an Asus.

The msi n560gtx ti will be it.

 

[yacoub]

yeah 560-ti is fine. hd6950 2gb will probably keep longer legs down the road but given your desire for stablest drivers, i'd recommend nvidia over amd.

 

[bryanW1995]

That mobo will be just fine for you, I'd only change it if you intend to do some hardcore overclocking in the future.

 

[cusideabelincoln]

That PSU is $89 for 550 Watts? I would get the Corsair 650 V2 instead.

The TP New is modular while the Corsair is not. So that is a consideration, as modular typically involves a small price premium. Since 550W is more than enough for this proposed build, there may not be much of a benefit to going with the Corsair (other than covering future possibilities.

 

[kefegg]

Hey guys, thank you all very much for the information. I guess I'm gonna stay with what I was planning to buy.
-The tip for a bios password is a good one, really.
-For the GPU I really have better feelings when it has got Nvidia in it's name, and maybe the 5960 will have a little more reserve for the next upcomming games, I guess the 560 will handle the newest games pretty good.
-I started with a 700W psu and and up with a 550W. As long it's modular and it deliver the amps that it has got to deliver it's okay.

The rest like mobo, processor and Hdd's will do fine. The overclock potential is just as a reserve, but I guess that I will never need it.
The Ram memory will be like 2 modules of 2Gb 1333 (Kinston)value-ram. They don't look pretty but they will offer the same as good looking fancy modules.

Guys, once again, thank's a lot. As soon as the system is builded I post some numbers.

 

[RussianSensation]

And when I use the pc builder from my shop, it tells me that the 1600 ram is not supported by the processor. So you suggest exactly? (I'm not a benchmarkfreak)

If you aren't going to be overclocking, DDR3-1333 is sufficient. However, with the price premium between 1333 and 1600 memory so small, I'd go with DDR3-1600 so you can reuse it in later builds perhaps. Also, the price premium is not very significant for 8GB vs. 4GB in North America. Not sure if it is where you are.

3. Mobo, I don't have any idea what to take, only now to take minimum UD3. I'm not planning to OC but maybe as reserve I chose for 2500K. 2500 without K is exactly the same, right? Except for not being unlocked.

If not overclocking, the board you picked is perfectly fine. Also, you may save some $ by getting 2500 then. Personally though, I would spend $20-30 extra today because in 12-15 months you might want to overclock But if you know you won't be overclocking, take the regular 2500.

 

[kefegg]

For me it is not such a big deal to pay some extra money. My concern is to have a quite stable system running Ubuntu.
On the other hand I must make sure that the wife and kids can do their things in a Windows environment. And that hurts me more...
I don't like to pay so much money for an OS that I don't use. Then I preffer to pay some more for a decent "medium end" pc.
I talk my son again about the ram, that's his share

Sent while using Tapatalk

 

[kefegg]

Last question about the gpu.
It will have to be the msi n560gtx ti twin frozr oc but... I read mostly only good things about this card but on youtube there are some vids that shows (hears) how much noise the card makes under load.
So people who own this card... is it so loud under load or actually just normal like every other gpu card? The ones on youtube sounded like a jet or generator.

Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk

 

[Cerb]

1.The 2 hdd are one for Windows 7 and one for Ubuntu 11.04. SDD sounds nice but I'm having doubts about formatting them in to EXT4.

Whether it changes your decision or not, don't worry. You can format SSDs in any file system you like. The days of flash getting too many writes due to software writing the same sectors over and over again are long gone.

PSU: if not OCing, that's a fine PSU. If you are going to OC, get something a little beefier, just in case.

Other than that, I would not get less than a 2GB video card, today, with your budget. There are already a handful of games that can use >1GB, mods for many games can use more, and it shouldn't be long before >1GB is expected, for high detail settings.

 

[nyker96]

just a few suggestions for your build:
2x500gb HD is too small, get a Spinpoint F3 2GB or something large, it's like $70-80 here but will make a lot of difference for your storage.

the case Antec 300 is good, but you can also look at haf 912//Inwin BUC, I prefer Inwin BUC over antec 300 etc older designs, this Inwin has USB3.0, many modern cable management designs and overall incorporates most of the modern case advancements into it.

Also I'd get a slightly better PSU, seasonic x-650 gold for $140 here is quite a good PSU. if you can't afford that then CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX650 V2 for $90 isn't bad either. don't skimp on PSU, more regulated power ensures component longevity.

 

[RussianSensation]

Last question about the gpu.
It will have to be the msi n560gtx ti twin frozr oc but... I read mostly only good things about this card but on youtube there are some vids that shows (hears) how much noise the card makes under load.

gramboh just purchased the MSI GTX560 TwinFrozr OC. See his feedback in post #34 in this thread. You may want to Private Message him with more specifics about the card's noise. It may be that the youtube videos had the fans running at 100% speed.

Check out some reviews for this particular card:

TwinFrozr II OC Review 1
TwinFrozr II OC Review 2

 

[kefegg]

Okay,

What I already bought:
CD-dvd drive, i5 2500K with stock cooler, Asus P8P67 Pro, Win7Home Premium, 1 F3 500GB harddrive.

1.What I believe is that large Hdd's have more chance to fail then smaller ones (I had this issue already twice but with Seagate 1 and 2 tb hdd's) So I prefer 500Gb drives because I use my WD My Book for storage.

2.Whether it changes your decision or not, don't worry. You can format SSDs in any file system you like. The days of flash getting too many writes due to software writing the same sectors over and over again are long gone.
You made me curious again about SSD. Only downside is the price for the amount of storage you get. (I'm aware of the read/write speed increase)
What to do with swapfile and pagefiles? I just have to much questions about the 'magical' SSD story. I think there will be a day that I will choose for this option but for now, I keep watching the pricing...

3. PSU: I started with a 700Watt psu which was overkill and I excepted the tips about choosing in the -500 max 550 Watt range. So... I keep having doubts about this one.
Sli/crossfire will never happen same for fancy lights and stuff. Oc'ing will comes when the software needs some hardware upgrades.
The corsair V2 seems to be noisy, just read some reviews

4.I choose the Antec 300 Case because it looks like my Antec NSK case and I thought that the HAF series have to much openings so that sounds coming from the GPU en Hdd's coming out very easy. I do not discuss the cooling quality, but I really would like a quit PC.
The pc I'm using now has a Geforce 7600GT inside and the noise coming from that one....:thumbsdown:

5.To stay in the line of the thread: The GPU.
I'm not a pc dumb-ass also not an expert so for what I now is the GPU ram needed for loading textures and the bandwith off the memory makes thing go smooth. So when playing on very high resolutions I will need much memory.
Please correct me if I'm wrong.
-The Dell u2311H will be used on the new PC, I really don't now which resolutions will be handled with this screen. I just took it for it's good brand name and because it is IPS.
-I prefer Nvidia above AMD-ATI because of my usage in Linux. So if I would like a decent Nvidia 2GB card Iwill have to pay pretty much more over the 560GTX Ti.
So there comes ATI again, 6950... reasonable price but it huge so I have to make sure it fits in the pccase. there are some issues with the drivers in Linux and the 560GTX ti comes close in benchmark results.
Please help me out...

I'm not a gamer but I might become one...(but games also have minimum requirements)
I have a budget of 1420 usd (it grew already a little bit)
It must be a quite pc...
...

 

[SolMiester]

nvm

 

[Majic 7]

Use the memory Russian suggested. It is supported, the ASUS list is crap, or was when I looked at it a few months ago. Or the value memory you listed. As long as it is 1.5 volts, that is the most important thing. I have seen posts with people using 1.65 memory that is on some motherboard manufacturers list that gave nothing but trouble.

 

[kefegg]

Didn't bought that yet but what I do have in the basket is the GEIL 8GB 2*4 DDR3 -1600Kit (GVP38GB1600C9DC, Value+)
It was a suggestion of the technicians from the shop.

 

[tweakboy]

Your not going to see a difference in fps OCed card or NOT. its super fast, and the 6970 is too expensive and no bang for the buck.

vendors for video

EVGA
ASUS
Gigabyte , your #3 choices pick any you want. Also make shure your RAM is properly configured. gl

 

[kefegg]

nvm

what does NVM stand for? Nevermind?

 

[SolMiester]

Im just using HyperX 1600 2 x4gb, im not really that convinced faster memory is going to make a big difference in performance and certainly not worth the extra money...

 

[SolMiester]

what does NVM stand for? Nevermind?

Yeah, saw your orignal post had triple channel memory, also saw RS had advised after a had submitted the post, so i edited it out!

 

[RussianSensation]

1. Your monitor is a 1080P display. Since you aren't a gamer, even a GTX560 is massive overkill. Perhaps you can consider stepping all the way down to a GTX460. Either way, 1GB is plenty for 1080P. The extra RAM is useful at 2560x1600 and even then not often.

2. For RAM, I recommend Corsair or G.Skill or Mushkin (whichever is cheapest). GEIL used to be very good 5 years ago. But unless it's much cheaper than the 3 I mentioned, I wouldn't consider it.

3. The Antec TruePower series seem to be getting good reviews. So stick with your intial choice.

 

[stahlhart]

Last question about the gpu.
It will have to be the msi n560gtx ti twin frozr oc but... I read mostly only good things about this card but on youtube there are some vids that shows (hears) how much noise the card makes under load.
So people who own this card... is it so loud under load or actually just normal like every other gpu card? The ones on youtube sounded like a jet or generator.

Mine don't really bother me. They're the loudest fans in the build, but even full out it's just a bit of a whoosh that's not all that obtrusive. I've just been running the cards at factory OC settings so far, though -- mabye those guys on YouTube are cranking them up with Afterburner?