Preparing for GTX280 Impact Mobo/Components?

[cheshirekitty]

I'm building a new PC and the GTX280/260 cards just happen to be scheduled for release in a few weeks. When they are available (barring some major design flaw) I will put one of those cards in my build. The problem is I don't want to just stop planning the rest of my PC for the next two weeks.

I won't SLI and graphics cards are the only thing I spend the bucks on to be "top of the line". I'm trying to think of ways this card could potentially impact the rest of my build but I don't really see any.

The only thing I can think of is my power supply because the card will probably want an 8-pin connector and be power hungry.

Am I over looking anything or can I go ahead and plan the rest of my build? Could this card maybe require PCI-Express 2.0 or an nVidia chipset or something? That seems very unlikely doesn't it?

 

[Dalyinx]

I'm pretty sure they need a 6 and 8 pin connectors, so make sure you get a PSU that has both. Also, I would recommend using the PCI-Express 2.0, but I doubt they'd require it. but they might be able to utilize it better than current cards, and you'll also be able to hold onto the mobo longer for once cards start really needing the pci-e 2.0.

 

[cheshirekitty]

Sounds like we more or less came to the same conclusion. The PSU is probably the component that could be potentially impacted the most. Otherwise I think I can build just like I was getting a 9800.

 

[soundefx]

Other than the power supply, the size of the case could also be an issuse as i think that these cards might be slightly bigger than the others.
But as you said, non sli or corssfire options makes building alot easier.

 

[cheshirekitty]

I'm still concerned about PCI Express 2.0... To blow a ton of bucks on one of these cards I need to be conservative in other parts of my build. That means DDR2 instead of DDR3 RAM which in turn means I could look at the P35 instead of the X38/48. BUUUUUT I don't want to gimp myself by getting a board without PCIe 2 support IIIIIIF this card will actually use it.

The specs of the cards are already out. Is there anybody smarter than me that can use the specs to guess whether or not PCIe 1 would be a bottleneck for this card? And explain how they came to that conclusion?

 

[Greg86]

Well, I'm no expert, but from what I've been reading (other forums and articles) the new GTX cards wont have enough juice to fully need all the bandwidth of pci-e 2.0, they probably wont even utilize pci-e 1.0 fully. however, its pretty clear that their going to be power hungry cards so the extra power advantage of pci-e 2.0 (150w) compared to pci-e 1.0 (75w) will probably make a difference for people with lower PSU's. So i wouldnt worry about bottlenecking. However, like I said I'm no expert on the subject so if someone has a more reliable explanation/proof, by all means, share. This is a popular topic now a days and there seems to be a lot of confussion around it.

 

[JAYDEEJOHN]

Dont go for the DDR3, as it really doesnt help with performance. Get that PCI2 board, itll mean more in the future. Save your monies and dont buy the DDR3

 

[scooterlibby]

I have a question, but it wasn't worth starting a new thread, so this one will do:

Tom's pointed out that the design of the 9800GX2 caused it to pump some hot air into the case instead of out the back. I've noticed in pics of the GTX280 and it has vents on it that would appear to do the same. Does anyone know if the complaint about the GX2 might be applicable to the GTX280 as well? My case cools very well, so I'm not too worried, but it would be kind of disappointing if the GTX280 pumped hot air back in the case.

 

[romulus47plus1]

Maybe the GTXs will have full use of the PCI-2 bandwidth, so it's good to have a PCI2 mobo.
GTX280 consumes lots of power at peak, so upgrading the PSU is like a must for those people with 500W PSU or below...

 

[The_Blood_Raven]

Well I just built a system for a friend who wanted a GTX280 when it comes out. Upon my research I have found that it is more likely that the 4870 X2 will require PCIE 2.0 than the GTX280. Also I have done serious research on the CPU, that would be decent but not bottleneck the GPU. I'll list what I recommend to help you decide and compare. Note that I have included cheaper and more expensive options, though I am sure that all the cheaper ones will serve perfectly fine.

Case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811103019

PSU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341011

Mobo:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813127030
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128336

RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227267

CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115052
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037

 

[romulus47plus1]

the PSU will be good if not doing any crossfire i think.
Mobo wise between those 2 it really depends on the dude, whether he wants crossfire/SLI or not, whether he wants to save cash or not...
The Rams good.
And why not Quad-Core?