- May 6, 2014
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- 4,510
Need New GPU!
I'm looking for advice on upgrade options for my gaming pc rig.
My goal: is to game across 3 monitors with great frame rates at 1080p at mid to high detail settings. I would like to keep my upgrade budget under $600 if possible, hopefully well under. But I will consider more if cost/benefits ratio makes much more sense.
My current rig consists of;
-Custom liquid cooled PC (built, not by me, December 2010) ... Specs:
Silencer PC Power & Cooling 750 watt power supply
Intel i7 950 CPU
EVGA X58 SLI3 motherboard
6GB DDR3 memory
Nvidia GTX 470 GPU
Danger Den Waterbox Plus Acrylic Case with two 80mm white led fans
EK Supreme nickel plated plexi top waterblock
EK GTX 470 GPU waterblock nickel plated plexi top
EK Radiator with two 120mm white led fans
EK DCP pump with reservoir combo
White tubing with black compression fittings
Sound blaster X-FI Soundcard
128 Samsung SSD
500GB 7200RPM Seagate hard drive for storage or otherwise
LG DVD rw Drive
Windows 7 Home Premium
-ASUS VG278H 3D Vision 2 Monitor
-Fanatec GT2 wheel and clubsport pedals
-Obutto R3VOLUTION cockpit workstation
-Line6 KB37 handles sound in lieu of XFi sound card
-Yamaha MSP10 Studio Monitors
Things to Consider:
1. I do not, nor do I know how to, over clock my CPU or GPU. Willing to learn if necessary.
2. I don't game in 3D often, but enjoy it when I do. However, I am unwilling to purchase 2 more identical $500 monitors just to game in 3D surround. 2D surround is a more than sufficient goal. If I want to game in 3D, I'll do it on 1 monitor.
3. I have 2 spare 24" monitors (sony playstation monitors) I'd like to use for side monitors if possible so I could use the saved money on better GPU.
4. Current installed GPU is a GTX 470 which is water cooled. New GPU would either also need to be water cooled, or if not, the current tube fittings would need an adapter for bypass, or retubed.
5. I play pretty much only racing games. Dirt 2 and Dirt 3 only, although I will probably want to try new games soon.
6. My current rig produces quite sufficient frame rates for me on dirt3 at 1080p on high or even ultra settings in 2D. Playing in 3D the fps is significantly reduced, but rather playable at medium settings still.
7. Working on a liquid cooled pc freaks me out, so I will have to factor in labor cost of upgrade to have someone do it for me.
8. If my goal is unrealistic for my budget, I guess I'd be willing to drop detail or resolution a bit to accommodate.
9. I have no issues buying used gear. In fact, I prefer it to save money, so a used GPU from flea bay may be the ticket for me. Looks like I could get a lightly used GTX 690 for little more than $500.
I have many questions to be answered as my knowledge on pcs is limited.
1. What GPU should I purchase for upgrade to give me the best bang for the buck performance on 3 monitors.
2. Should I consider 2 cheaper cards in SLI instead?
3. Is it advisable to keep the new GPU water cooled and invest in new water block? Or is air cooled fine enough and save the $100 or so a block would cost...
4. Will I have any (scaling/resolution) problems running 2 24" side monitors with a 27" center?
5. Is my current power supply adequate if I was to consider SLI configuration?
6. Is my current MB/CPU sufficient enough to only need an upgraded GPU to achieve my goal?
7. The PCIe port on my MB is old and I believe 2.0 not the current 3.0. Is this going to be a problem for newer GPUs? Hope my lack of understanding didn't botch that question.
I'm looking for advice on upgrade options for my gaming pc rig.
My goal: is to game across 3 monitors with great frame rates at 1080p at mid to high detail settings. I would like to keep my upgrade budget under $600 if possible, hopefully well under. But I will consider more if cost/benefits ratio makes much more sense.
My current rig consists of;
-Custom liquid cooled PC (built, not by me, December 2010) ... Specs:
Silencer PC Power & Cooling 750 watt power supply
Intel i7 950 CPU
EVGA X58 SLI3 motherboard
6GB DDR3 memory
Nvidia GTX 470 GPU
Danger Den Waterbox Plus Acrylic Case with two 80mm white led fans
EK Supreme nickel plated plexi top waterblock
EK GTX 470 GPU waterblock nickel plated plexi top
EK Radiator with two 120mm white led fans
EK DCP pump with reservoir combo
White tubing with black compression fittings
Sound blaster X-FI Soundcard
128 Samsung SSD
500GB 7200RPM Seagate hard drive for storage or otherwise
LG DVD rw Drive
Windows 7 Home Premium
-ASUS VG278H 3D Vision 2 Monitor
-Fanatec GT2 wheel and clubsport pedals
-Obutto R3VOLUTION cockpit workstation
-Line6 KB37 handles sound in lieu of XFi sound card
-Yamaha MSP10 Studio Monitors
Things to Consider:
1. I do not, nor do I know how to, over clock my CPU or GPU. Willing to learn if necessary.
2. I don't game in 3D often, but enjoy it when I do. However, I am unwilling to purchase 2 more identical $500 monitors just to game in 3D surround. 2D surround is a more than sufficient goal. If I want to game in 3D, I'll do it on 1 monitor.
3. I have 2 spare 24" monitors (sony playstation monitors) I'd like to use for side monitors if possible so I could use the saved money on better GPU.
4. Current installed GPU is a GTX 470 which is water cooled. New GPU would either also need to be water cooled, or if not, the current tube fittings would need an adapter for bypass, or retubed.
5. I play pretty much only racing games. Dirt 2 and Dirt 3 only, although I will probably want to try new games soon.
6. My current rig produces quite sufficient frame rates for me on dirt3 at 1080p on high or even ultra settings in 2D. Playing in 3D the fps is significantly reduced, but rather playable at medium settings still.
7. Working on a liquid cooled pc freaks me out, so I will have to factor in labor cost of upgrade to have someone do it for me.
8. If my goal is unrealistic for my budget, I guess I'd be willing to drop detail or resolution a bit to accommodate.
9. I have no issues buying used gear. In fact, I prefer it to save money, so a used GPU from flea bay may be the ticket for me. Looks like I could get a lightly used GTX 690 for little more than $500.
I have many questions to be answered as my knowledge on pcs is limited.
1. What GPU should I purchase for upgrade to give me the best bang for the buck performance on 3 monitors.
2. Should I consider 2 cheaper cards in SLI instead?
3. Is it advisable to keep the new GPU water cooled and invest in new water block? Or is air cooled fine enough and save the $100 or so a block would cost...
4. Will I have any (scaling/resolution) problems running 2 24" side monitors with a 27" center?
5. Is my current power supply adequate if I was to consider SLI configuration?
6. Is my current MB/CPU sufficient enough to only need an upgraded GPU to achieve my goal?
7. The PCIe port on my MB is old and I believe 2.0 not the current 3.0. Is this going to be a problem for newer GPUs? Hope my lack of understanding didn't botch that question.
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