Which approach provides more VALUE (gaming/media pc build)

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Boggan

Reputable
Jun 1, 2015
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4,520
Buying a ~$1200 gaming system with SLI or Crossfire capability while only getting one medium-high end card (Gtx 970) and then getting a second 970 1-2 years as an "upgrade".

OR

Buying a ~$1200 gaming system without SLI/Crossfire and in 1-2 years upgrading your system with the latest medium-high end card?

The reason I ask is because I'm building a PC to replace a 7-8 year old rig that I upgraded using the former approach but if there is a better way I'm open to try it. I want to get another 7-8 years out of my next system.
 
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razerg
Buy ~$1200 gaming PC with one more powerful GPU. Then when you have enough money buy the same one and put in SLI. I recommend SLI (for example 970) so you don't have to at least worry about getting 1200w PSU because maxwell architecture is less power hungry. Do you already have an idea about the build?

This is my suggestion. Now single GTX980, and has enough power to put another 980 in sli in the future.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 EXTREME6 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($136.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.98 @...
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sadams04

sadams04

Splendid
Nov 23, 2010
4,711
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You also need to factor in a power supply investment. A pair of "large" GPUs typically demand a quality 750w / 850w unit. A single card is in the 550w area. ...much different price brackets. The simplicity of a single GPU would be my recommendation, and it brings with it a reasonable PSU price. Now... since you are talking about a $1200 gaming setup, you can absolutely get into a single "large" GPU, a 850w PSU for that potential SLI configuration, a Z97 motherboard, and an unlocked CPU for overclocking. ...all of the above.
 
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razerg

razerg

Honorable
Nov 22, 2013
662
0
11,160
Buy ~$1200 gaming PC with one more powerful GPU. Then when you have enough money buy the same one and put in SLI. I recommend SLI (for example 970) so you don't have to at least worry about getting 1200w PSU because maxwell architecture is less power hungry. Do you already have an idea about the build?

This is my suggestion. Now single GTX980, and has enough power to put another 980 in sli in the future.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 EXTREME6 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($136.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($80.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 980 4GB FTW ACX 2.0 Video Card ($505.45 @ Newegg)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1213.36
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-01 08:15 EDT-0400
 
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