Expert Help Need wrt ATi Graphic Card Purchase

[karmsud]

Hello All,

I am a newbie to custom Desktop building and need some help please. I have been into console gaming for years now and been on PS3 for almost 4 years. But with new great graphic cards options for PC I am moving to PC gaming.

I have reviewed many sites and opinons on new graphic cards, builds and combinations. My budget for this build cannot go over $1200 including Operating System and Shipping costs. Here are the items I have selected so far, I would like your expert comments with regards to this selection and specifically which video card I should go for . Please let me know if I am spending/wasting too much on something and instead that money would help me to buy something more/better.

My current selection:
1. G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL - $75 ($10 off with Promo Code)

2. XION PowerReal AXP-850R14N 850W ATX 12V v2.2 / EPS 12V v2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Power Supply $60 (After mail in rebate)

3. Western Digital Caviar Black WD6402AAEX 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 64MB Cache 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive $70

4. AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor $140 (Planning to OC: 3.8-4.2 GHz)

5. LG Black Blu-ray Disc Combo SATA Model UH10LS20 LightScribe - $85

6. AZZA Solano 1000 Black/Black Japanese SECC Steel/Metal mesh in front ATX Full Tower Computer Case $100 (Shipping included after mail in rebate)

7. Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM - $10

8. CORSAIR Cooling Hydro Series CWCH50-1 120mm High Performance CPU Cooler $80

9. Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit - $100

10. ASRock 890FX DELUXE3 AM3 AMD 890FX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard - $150

Total Up to Now is $870 + $40 (shipping various parts) = $910
From Budget I have 1200-910 = $290 left.

I need expert help on selecting video/graphic card option. I would be running games on 1920x1080 single LCD HDMI monitor. I currently have the monitor, keyboard and mouse.

Option 1: 1 HD 5850 Price Range $240-$290

Option 2: 1 HD 5870 $330 (After mail in Rebate) Slightly out of my budget. But would consider if worth it.

Option 1: 2 way HD 5770 Crossfire = $220 Total (After mail in rebate)

Option 2: 3 way HD 5770 Crossfire = $330 Total (After mail in rebate) Slightly out of my budget. But would consider if worth it.

To get the 5870 I might sacrifice the blu-ray player and just get a DVDRW.

All the prices mentioned above are from Newegg.com. Some are specials which would only last till stock lasts or till end of 10/13.

Please help at your earliest. Thanking all the experts in advance.

Cheers'

 

[xoke]

5850...later you can add another one. 5870...if you can swing it, man they are fast. Those are your logical ATI choices.

The 5770s aren't bad cards, but if you can afford any 58XX then do it. Also your board won't do proper 3 way X-fire, so don't bother. Have you considered 2 5830s?

You could also go Nvidia, dollar for dollar their stuff is a bit faster right now. GTX 460, 470 are very fast cards...though hot as a furnace.

There is really no wrong answer in any of your choices, except the 3 way X-Fire, cause that won't work...so it's opinion based, if I was you, I'd get the 5870.

 

[rickoles]

Why do you want ATI? =/

Like said above Nvidia is best right now. Your other option would be to wait until the 6xxx series comes out in the next few months.

 

[xoke]

Why do you want ATI? =/

Like said above Nvidia is best right now. Your other option would be to wait until the 6xxx series comes out in the next few months.

They use less power, run way colder, and he can add more cards down the road. Nvidia is slightly quicker right now, true, but sheer speed isn't thing only thing to consider when buying cards for some people.

 

[karmsud]

Thank you xokeman and rickoles.

Specs of my ASRock Mobo:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...D_890FX_SATA_6Gb/s_USB-_-13-157-196-_-Product

Its says it can do a 3 way X-Fire. But I guess you may be right - it might not do it right, it has 2xPCI-E x16 and 1xPCI-E x4 slot, so I do not know how 3 way X-Fire works.

As far as Nvida vs ATi: I do not know, which is better, is there a definitive opinion on that ever? Is 5870 inferior to GTX 460/470? Single GTX 460 would cost me $220. GTX 470 would go around $290 (After mail in rebate).

So now I am even slightly more confused Nvida or ATi, GTX 460/470 or ATi 5850/5870?

Also, I do not know if this Mobo does SLi, if I do go for a Nvidia now and want to upgrade to 2 GTX 460 or 470s in the future.

Also, guys what about other components, anything you would like to comment/suggest on that. Thank you all again.

 

[xoke]

Thank you xokeman and rickoles.

Specs of my ASRock Mobo:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...D_890FX_SATA_6Gb/s_USB-_-13-157-196-_-Product

Its says it can do a 3 way X-Fire. But I guess you may be right - it might not do it right, it has 2xPCI-E x16 and 1xPCI-E x4 slot, so I do not know how 3 way X-Fire works.

As far as Nvida vs ATi: I do not know, which is better, is there a definitive opinion on that ever? Is 5870 inferior to GTX 460/470? Single GTX 460 would cost me $220. GTX 470 would go around $290 (After mail in rebate).

So now I am even slightly more confused Nvida or ATi, GTX 460/470 or ATi 5850/5870?

Also, I do not know if this Mobo does SLi, if I do go for a Nvidia now and want to upgrade to 2 GTX 460 or 470s in the future.

Also, guys what about other components, anything you would like to comment/suggest on that. Thank you all again.

I just attempted this with a TA890FXE, it doesn't work. The first two 5770s will fly, when you add the third on the 4x slot, it will slow down the other two. Look closely at the details, the blue slots are 16x, the white ones are 4x. You can run a video card in that slot, like if you wanted six monitors, but for X-fire it won't work.

If you want 3 way X-Fire you looking at the top end Asus, Gigabyte, or MSI stuff. It must have 3 or more slots running 8x or above. 16x, 16x, 8x works....as does 8x, 8x, 8x, 8x....but anything with a 4x is fail. That mobo will not do SLI, some do, but not that one.

To be honest, two cards scale pretty well, after that your just showing off, lol. I pesonally would grab a 5850 or 5870, both cards are extremely fast, and with your setup you can add another down the road. I like upgradability.

As to your biuld, it looks good to me, except I'm not in love with the PSU you have choosen.

 

[karmsud]

Thank you xokeman.

I wish I will pick up a 5870, but I think I will have to settle for a 5850.

On the PSU, here are my PSU Specs:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...PowerReal AXP-850R14N 850W ATX 12V v2.2 / EPS

I though for the buck ($60) it is a great PSU. Any particular reasons why I should go some thing else? Any other suggestions within a closer <$100 price point. Thank you so much.

 

[xoke]

Thank you xokeman.

I wish I will pick up a 5870, but I think I will have to settle for a 5850.

On the PSU, here are my PSU Specs:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...PowerReal AXP-850R14N 850W ATX 12V v2.2 / EPS

I though for the buck ($60) it is a great PSU. Any particular reasons why I should go some thing else? Any other suggestions within a closer <$100 price point. Thank you so much.

If it's not on this list you really don't want it when it comes to PSUs...http://www.overclockers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=589708

There are a lot of dudes here that really know their stuff, they keep this list pretty up to date. Now, you may not find all the exact models listed in this list...but you wanna stick with those brands at least. My 2 cents.

Dude, don't stress about the 5850...that card is still smoking fast. You have to remember, the stuff some people here at overclockers.com scoff at, is still complete and utter overkill for a normal gaming rig. That card will be great.

One last thing...are you looking for combo deals on NewEgg? I know that the AMD 955 is almost always on sale when bought in combination with some motherboards...sometimes you can save $34-40 bucks working the combo deals. Click on your CPU, then when you add it to the cart...look through all the listed combo deals, do the same for your video card and everything. You may have to compromise on a thing or two...but you can save a lot of money. I have saved well over $200 on a $1500 machine by taking my time and working the combo deals to my liking.

 

[xoke]

Yea dude...I just looked, there is a combo deal with Windows 7 64bit & the 955 BE, save $30.

Another with the 955 BE & an XFX PSU that I'd rather have over the one you selected, save $35.

Another with a 5870 & a 955 BE save $30.

Work those deals, I'll bet you can get that 5870 and stay in budget.

 

[karmsud]

Amazing suggestions xokeman.
I think I will go for this combo:
link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.514386

Its a combo with the same GSkill Memory that I have picked. Gets me (I hope now a great PSU) and saves $35. Let me know if you like this PSU. Its one from the recommended list.

PSU: XFX Black Edition XPS-850W
Link:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207001

Now my budget for Memory+PSU (was 135, has gone up to $180 after promo code and mail in rebate)

Further more I found following combo: CPU + Mobo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.526581
CPU: IS the Same AMD Phenom II X4 955.
Mobo: ASUS M4A87TD EVO AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
Link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131647

Please let me know if I should stick to the ASRock Mobo or this one. This too has x8,x8 CrossFire support, 2xUSB 3.0, 6xSATA 6GB/s. Same North and South Bridges.

This Combo could save me a amazing $60 bucks over my existing selection ($140+$150=$290) against (this combo worth $230)

Thank you xokeman so much for all your expert suggestions !!! I think after all these combo deals I might just be able to swing a 5870 ... will research more combos on other products too

 

[karmsud]

xokeman, here is my updated build:
1. G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL - ($10 off with Promo Code)
+ combo
PSU: XFX Black Edition XPS-850W $180 (after mail in rebate)

2. Western Digital Caviar Black WD6402AAEX 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 64MB Cache 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive $70

3. AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor $140 (Planning to OC: 3.8-4.2 GHz)
+ combo
ASUS M4A87TD EVO AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
Total $230

4. LG Black Blu-ray Disc Combo SATA Model UH10LS20 LightScribe - $85

5. AZZA Solano 1000 Black/Black Japanese SECC Steel/Metal mesh in front ATX Full Tower Computer Case $80 (After mail in rebate)

6. Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM - $10

7. CORSAIR Cooling Hydro Series CWCH50-1 120mm High Performance CPU Cooler $80

8. Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit - $100

9. SAPPHIRE 100281-3SR Radeon HD 5870 (Cypress XT) 1GB 256-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card w/ Eyefinity $330 (After mail in rebate)

Total with Shipping ($40) After Mail in Rebate ($60): $1,232

(Well just $32 over budget but I believe a really good System) Have not ordered yet waiting for last thoughts if any on the Mobo+CPU Combo. Thank you again.

 

[xoke]

Looks pretty good, but I'm not in love with your motherboard, lol, is has no heatsinks on the MOSFETs (stuff to the left of the socket)...I hate that. What about this?


AMD 955BE & MS Windows 7 (64) Combo save $30 = $209
Gigabyte GA-890GPA-UD3H Motherboard & Gigabyte 5870 Combo save $35+$25 MIR = $469
GSkill DDr3 1600 Ram & Corsair 750w CMPSU-750TX Combo save $30+$10 MIR = $184
WD Black 640gb Hard Drive =$70
LG Black Blu Ray Burner =$99
Azzo Solano 1000 Case $20 instant + $30 MIR =$109
Corsair H50 =$79

My total 1224.90, plus shipping ~$35, before MIRs -$65 in a couple months

I dropped your thermal paste (you can get that later). With this, you get a better mobo, a better video card, and slightly faster Ram. Just something to think about.

I would really go this route...also, your CPU will come with a fan so unless your just dead set on that Corsair H50, I think you might want to hold off on it. There are equivalent air coolers that perform as well if not better. I'd read up on it, lot's of people love it, lots of people have been disappointed with it. You could buy everything today minus the H50, total would be $1145, you can always upgrade your cooling down the road ya know? After you research it a bit more you might want to go another route...or save up a $100 and get the Corsair H70 in a month or two.

 

[karmsud]

All suggestion and combos sound fantastic and its a perfect build !!!
I am so glad I connected with you on Overclockers !!!

I am going to drop the thermal compound and the Corsair H50 for now. Just use the stock heat sink, build everything up by buying all the above you have suggested. Down the road with more research I will choose a better heat sink.

I need a better heat sink is because I want to overclock the CPU some time. I have read that CPU with 3.2GHz can be a bottleneck for a very good graphic card like 5870. Do not know if its true or not and how much of a difference it makes and what is the logic behind it. But if its true and if I want to / need to overclock the CPU then I will surely need a better heat sink and then I might end up buying the H70.

Thank you so much for all you help xokeman, you are the best !!! Cheers'

 

[xoke]

You are right, you will need a better heatsink to overclock much, you might get 3.6 on the stock cooler though. I'd just rather see you wait a month and get what you want as opposed to possibly being disappionted in the H5O and then buying something else. Dig around in the cooling forum, many many reviews in there, reviews you can trust.