TSGK Clan Forum

StonedCabbage

Hello, I'm trying to buld my new computer and Im deciding on all the bits, I think I got my Motherboard / RAM, etc decided however I am always puzzled when it comes to GFX cards simply because there that many different options available.

Here is the motherboard im purchasing (Unless anyone has some other suggestions, its going to be powered to gaming, looking to spend around £150) -

http://www.morecomputers.com/extra.asp?pn=crosshair+ii+formula

Now apparently (I don't know too much about this stuff) it supports something called Hybrid SLI / 3-Way SLI Support which allows me to use more than 1 GFX card, sounds very cool, however I need to know which GFX cards support this feature, which one to buy to give me a Mega gaming computer, etc.

Also I know these kind of setups need some form of powerPak monstrosity so any suggestions on what kind of power pak I would use would be great!

Thanking yous Cool

Lawitz · Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 14:25 Post subject:

better ask on some hardwareforum where people are focused on pc matters like this. you might get some help here as well but on a forum based upon this topic you might get better results.

I haven´t been interested in pc stuff since I build my current pc so I can´t help you out on this one.

as a power supply I recommend Be Quiet, hard to beat when it comes to silent psu´s. just don´t get a cheap one, that could kill the whole system.

I´d strongly recommend using watercooling on this pc, the noise would be madness Laughing

. with that many gpus a big radiator like the mora 2 + fanadapter should be a good option or a 480 radiator.

Xmeagol · Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 21:45 Post subject:

Wait for the next generation, G300 from nvidia, or AMD's HD5000 series coming up in Q4

You should wait up, there's going to be somewhat a massive jump in performance (like when happened with nvidia's G80 series)

EDIT: At least on paper anyway.

Diet H2O_TSGK · Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 23:22 Post subject:

That mobo is fine - decent sound. Decide on your mobo first. Make sure it's compatible with your chassis (ATX?). The mobo you picked is nVidia so if youre interested in SLI then you'll only be able to use nVidia (of course you can use any single gfx card with it). Personally, I would go for something a bit more like this: http://www.morecomputers.com/extra.asp?pn=MAXIMUS+II+FORMULA It's intel though. Has a bit more spec to it though and the cpu level up is very very desirable.

I think SLI and crossfire are too much hassle (probs with some games and not really much, if any, more performance) - you're better off with a single card. Yeah - you can wait, but there will always be something better later.

Forget watercooling etc if you've a budget... Any spare cash spend it on good ram from a good brand. Buy a decent PSU (650) if you do want to use SLI.

As for gfx cards, don't be fooled by specs. Different brands with same specs perform differently. I'm very happy with evga.

Go geddem cowboy

Lawitz · Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 14:18 Post subject:

Shimmy_TSGK · Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 14:41 Post subject:

the question is, what games are you going to play?if it's for the latest and greatest, you need a really beefy setup. as diet mentioned. a single card solution is quite good. keep it nice and simple, to avoid technical hell. Lawitz is giving you the silent alternative Very Happy

StonedCabbage · Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 17:08 Post subject:

I just want a mean powerhouse PC for everything, my last one was ok till it blew up, so I want this one even better. I do alot of Music production as well however whatever I use for gaming will cover that. I'll probably use a Single card setup for know but I am looking for Dual in the future. Sound is not a problem for me as most of the time I use Headphones anyway and I always shut my computer off at night to kill the excess noise. I'm thinking GeForce 8800 Ultra or something, looks big and mean.

Xmeagol · Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 17:34 Post subject:

StonedCabbage · Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 18:04 Post subject:

Diet H2O_TSGK · Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 19:37 Post subject:

Use some benchmarks before you decide e.g. http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/gaming-graphics-charts-2009/3DMark06-v1.1.0-3DMark-Score,1195.html

opti185 · Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 20:37 Post subject:

Dont buy a sli or crossfire system(trible,quad),unless you're a benchmark,- or a hardwarefreak.Its only a prestigious property by the Gfx-manufacturers.

I have sli since there it is and i invest a lot of time(test tools,driver) and patience that my system works perfectly.
And yes,two gfx-cards are very loud,- so I'm exchange on watercooling. Cool

Very quit and a lot of overclocking-opportunities. Very Happy

Know i have one nvidia 275gtx and i wait for the new GT300. Smile

So,better you spend the money for a good Soundcard. Wink

http://forum.tsgk.com/viewtopic.php?t=3561

Lawitz · Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 21:45 Post subject:

a sound card is a good investment, it will even boost cpus performance because the soundwork is done by the card instead of the cpu.

StonedCabbage · Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 13:52 Post subject:

Yea I got a semi decent sound card that does for all me needs anyway Cool

I'll have to think about this some more Neutral

Xmeagol · Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 21:10 Post subject: