2x 9800 GTX+ or 2x 260 or 1x 275 or Radeon

well if you can find one, the radeon 5850 is about $300 (slightly better than the GTX285)

I vote for a single 5850. It's DX11 and will out perform the GTX 275. Out of those choices the dual GTX 260 will be the best choice though.

I am purchasing my items on newegg. Sadly, the 5850 is out of stock  

keep an eye on it, there were some in today I saw. But they don't last long. Put an auto-notify on them.

What would a good secondary choice in case I can't wait for the 5850?

I would say get an i7 over the i5 system. The price between the two is not that great. An then at least the HD 5850.

I'd honestly wait for a 5850. It's $300, Dx11, and out performs alot of single cards. You could SLI a set of 260's but you won't have DX11. Then again, if you plan on upgrading in a year that really won't matter. If you plan on having this setup for a while, I'd want a newer card with DX11 for future games.

Just like DX10 was (for XP/Vista), DX11 is a factor, but it isn't dramatic. Don't let it be your main deciding factor.

I'd say a 5850 regardless, though a 5770/4890 are also great.

Nvidia
9800 GTX+ 512MB: $120
GTX 260 896MB: $165
GTX 275 896MB: $270 (though you can get a 1792MB for $290)
GTX 280 1GB: $235 (though you have to look for these, as they were EOL a long time ago. GTX 285 is a newer revision, but this is still more powerful than a GTX 275)

ATI:
4770 512MB: $110 (nice low power usage)
4870 1GB: $155
4890 1GB: $180 (king of 55nm line)
5750 1GB: $150
5770 1GB: $180
5850 1GB: $300

I recommend two GTX 260 in SLI or 4870 in crossfire. Honestly, doesn't matter which (similar performance). While you could go for a better single card solution, these budget setups are the best bang for their buck. Assuming you can handle all the problems that multi GPU configurations involve.
Not supported in all games, higher power usage, more heat, multi lane motherboard needed, SLI/XFire motherboard needed, more parts to fail.

I would go for 1GB cards, though a 896MB would do just fine. You could get cards with more, but useless unless you're running 2560x1600 16xAA/AF or multi monitors (I don't know about Abode software though).

Does SLI and crossfire setups cause lots of problems? I have never had one before.

no problems if done right good cooling especially

Cooling can be an big issue. I tried to crossfire 2 4870's and the top card kept overheating to 100C. I gave up on it rather than rigging up some crazy cooling solution. I got a 5870.

Wait on the 5850. No nvidia card makes sense right now, they are all soundly beaten by ATI either on price, performance or features.

What Brand of 5850 do you guys suggest? Newegg has the ETA on having stock as the 23rd so I can probably wait for that.

Honestly, it doesn't really matter. They are all the same with the same factory cooler. You are just paying for the support from that company. XFX has probably the best warranty. I've never had an issue with ASUS, and Sapphire is the largest distributor.

Why? If he's going to be gaming, it's ALOT better to spend that $100 extra on a bettervideo card, NOT cpu.

I5 is WAAYYYYY more than enough. Even 5970x2 will still be the bottleneck by A LOT.

In fact, I'd suggest saving even $100's more and just going with a Phenom II black edition.

NOT choosing an i7 and instead going with a Phenom II, he could put all that money to get a second 5850, or wait and get a 5970.

Suggesting going from an i5 to i7 is pointless if this is about gaming, which it most likely is since it's about intense GPU processing, and most people dont use multi-threaded apps.

Yes. Lots.

It depends on the game, but a lot of games (and some new games... surprisingly...) don't even use Crossfire/SLI.

As a current and past Crossfire/SLI user, I highly suggest taking one more powerful GPU over two lesser GPU's.

In fact, I suggest getting the absolute best, which is a 5870 or wait for 5970, and if too much then 5850.

Of course, I'd suggest waiting to buy ANY until the 5900's release, just in case prices drop.

Nothing wrong with getting an i5 cpu and the Phenon2 955 would be good also. But since you are looking at and seem to want an intel cpu then the i7 is how I would go myself. Right now on newegg the i5 is $200 and the i7 is $288. Naylor of course it's up to you on what you want to do but the i7 is the better cpu all around and for gaming and it looks like the 1366 socket will have more leggs as well. Either cpu will serve you well, but if you have the choice then the i7 is the way to go. Also I do agree that if you can find one and can afford one then a 5870 at 19x12 gaming is the best right now.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/265612-28-best-future...

http://sakne.blogspot.com/2009/09/intels-new-core-i7-an...

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=357...

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/intel-core-i5,2410-...

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/features/core_i5

The i7 runs an extra $80 I think and for my purposes seems to be a bit of overkill. Plus, moving to the 1366 socket type seems to run my build up even more in price unless I am missing a great priced board.

As for the AMD Phenon 955, is the i5 worth the extra $25 (i5- 200, Phenon - 175)?

5850 back in stock, now I have to put this CPU issue to rest and get this system ordered!

if your game doesnt support crossfire it wont run on a 5970 well... a 5970 is crossfire on a card. even though its on one card, it still functions as two cards in crossfire.

It's sad cuz the retail 5850 is suppose to be $260...but manufacturing and shortage FAIL caused the street price to spike to $300

=(

Looks like I have some more time to think as the video card is now out of stock again... ugh.

just try your luck on the bjorn3d contest

Gigabyte was nice enough to pony up TWO GTX-275 Super Overclock GPU's for an Instant SLI Contest to fatten your Thanksgiving table this year.

Yes that's right rock two GTX-275 in your SLI capable rig and be the envy of all your nerd herd buddies.

We could have split these cards into two prizes but we thought since Bjorn3D readers are obviously connoisseurs of fine hardware setups we would go ahead and make someones SLI dreams come true.


Gigabyte GTX-275 Super Overclock Webpage

The lucky winner will receive two of those beauties and be the envy of every nerd in sight.

Here's the deal, two ways to enter, you may enter once by each method.


Shipping to USA/Canada Address, no P.O Box or APO allowed (I'll check on this but for now assume USA/Canada)

One valid entry per IP address (one by each method), multiple entries from the same IP address will disqualify you.

1. Complete this sentence:

The video card in my rig is so old that I think ________ designed it and I's so ready to drive those two Gigabyte GTX-275 in my SLI capable rig that I'd promise to give up __________ this Thanksgiving and never look back. (and make 10 posts in the forums)

2. Post this contest on another forum, must contain this text and a valid link to the thread to qualify.

If your not a current member just sign up, enter and start winning.

That's all you have to do to win these two Gigabyte GTX-275 Super Overclock GPU's. Complete the sentence (one entry), post this text on another live forum, make 10 posts in the forum and sit back and wait until the end of November to see if you are the lucky winner of the Gigabyte Thanksgiving Instant SLI Contest.

Winner selected by random drawing, decision is final.

Almost makes a guy wish he wasn't Staff just so he could enter.

Enjoy

LINK:: Here is the link

http://www.bjorn3d.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31265

IN STOCK AT NEWEGG 5850
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Dang it. Got it in my cart, then it got removed. I will just check it all night I guess waiting for it.

Woot! Got it ordered finally. Whole system ran $1.1k!

Awesome. You will be happy you waited for that card. they are nice and powerful. It will do you well for a while. Enjoy.

I only ordered the Cosair 650W PSU, is that going to be enough if I plan to do some overclocking?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Should I take the time and pain to return it to newegg and step up? I don't think I will get another video card anytime soon.

Yes, it will be. The 5850 doesn''t use all that much power. I'm also assuming you went for i5, which also isn't a power whore. You should have a decent amount of headroom.

Thanks, that is what I was hoping to hear as I hate returning items to Newegg.

lucky you =)