GTX 460 SLI Build

[piivilp]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: This Month

BUDGET RANGE: Preferably less than $700

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Video games Web Browsing Downloads

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers, DVD drive, OS, Case

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg's / TigerDirect

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA

PARTS PREFERENCES: 1x GTX 460 http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6589098&SRCCODE=LINKSHARE&cm_mmc_o=-ddCjC1bELltzywCjC-d2CjCdwwp&AffiliateID=rGMTN56tf_w-eMThjXK4.dNjt.ddoydQRg. I will add one late on. I'm not buying two right now.

OVERCLOCKING: If I figure it out ?

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: SLI !!!!!

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1650x1080

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I want a gaming computer right now. I want this build to sli in the future when I buy another gtx460.

 

[Upendra09]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125332
Gigabyte Fermi GTX 460.......230

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103809
Phenom II x4 945 ......140

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128444
Gigabyte mobo AM3........110

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227582
OCZ DDR3 4 gigs RAM......80

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817116009
NZXT 600 watt 80 plus.......120

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533
WD caviar 1 TB 7200 RPM.......95

total: 695 USD

 

[Seattleguy2000]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125332
Gigabyte Fermi GTX 460.......230

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103809
Phenom II x4 945 ......140

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128444
Gigabyte mobo AM3........110

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227582
OCZ DDR3 4 gigs RAM......80

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817116009
NZXT 600 watt 80 plus.......120

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533
WD caviar 1 TB 7200 RPM.......95

total: 695 USD

Don't even think about that power supply. It's drastically over priced and it's 550 watts. You don't buy a 550 watt PS for a 460 SLI, Try 700. Also the RAM recommendation is all wrong. DDR 1066? No. Also no on the 945, get the 955 for $10 more and combo it with a better PSU for cheaper. Oh the hard drive is bad as well. The 1TB Samsung Spinpoint F3 is cheaper and better. Basically avoid the above build like the plague. It's not a good use of your money.

 

[piivilp]

So can you suggest a build?

 

[Upendra09]

1. that PSU isn't 550 watts, its 600 watts
2. the 945 is just as good, and the 955 would go over his budget
3. that RAM can be OCed past 1333 so it is pretty good

if you're so good why didn't you provide an alternate?

 

[Seattleguy2000]

1. that PSU isn't 550 watts, its 600 watts
2. the 945 is just as good, and the 955 would go over his budget
3. that RAM can be OCed past 1333 so it is pretty good

if you're so good why didn't you provide an alternate?

No offense dude, but that's just a horrible build. We both know that. You didn't use any combos. You used partly cheap parts, partly expensive parts where cheaper better quality options are there. You're not helping him at all.

By the way, did you click your own Newegg link for the PSU?

NZXT HALE90-550-S 550W ATX 12V v2.2, EPS 12V v2.91 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply

Do you think ANYONE would recommend a 550 watt PSU for somebody who plans to SLI a 460?

 

[Upendra09]

did i recommend a 550 watt PSU? no, i was recommending a 600 watt PSU

but i guess i might have clicked on the 550 watt PSu instead

what cheap parts? other than the PSU which is not that bad, just wrong wattage

 

[Upendra09]

and of course you could provide an alternate instead of beating around the bush

 

[anonymousdude]

^you realize that if there isn't going to be any overclocking on his processor that the 955 is a waste of money. The RAM doesn't matter if he isn't going to be overclocking. The real life benefits between 1066 and 2000 is minimal if any. It only shows up in synthetic benchmarks. The power supply is enough to run sli, but it will be running more towards its peak rather than the sweet spot for a power supply. The new wd black uses 500gb platters just like the samsung f3 giving similar performance. Only thing is that he wants to sli and that motherboard won't support sli.

 

[Seattleguy2000]

^you realize that if there isn't going to be any overclocking on his processor that the 955 is a waste of money. The RAM doesn't matter if he isn't going to be overclocking. The real life benefits between 1066 and 2000 is minimal if any. It only shows up in synthetic benchmarks. The power supply is enough to run sli, but it will be running more towards its peak rather than the sweet spot for a power supply. The new wd black uses 500gb platters just like the samsung f3 giving similar performance. Only thing is that he wants to sli and that motherboard won't support sli.

So let me get this straight. You're recommending this substandard overpriced build recommendation from a guy who didn't even try to use combos and used bargain basement components? I dlon't care if the guy is going to use all of the capabilities now or not, you don't recommend 1066 RAM a lower processor and a low wattage over priced PSU when someone asks for advice on a build. Atleast act like you care a LITTLE and put in some effort to get the guy a deal.

 

[Upendra09]

not like you care anymore, cuz so far you have not given him an alternative

obviously you're just bored and want to do something pointless

good job

 

[Seattleguy2000]

Here's a DRAMATICALLY better starting point for you. I will keep working on this as I get more time. This is where you should start,

COMBO - CPU & PSU - $214.98:

CPU:
AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ955FBGMBOX

PSU:
OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ700MXSP 700W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC ...

RAM - DDR3 1600 - $77.99 AR
Mushkin Enhanced Blackline 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model 996782

Motherboard (Unlike the people here who are recommending for what they don't know, this is one of the 2 only dual 16X SLI AMD motherboards out there. - $139.99
ASUS M4N98TD EVO AM3 NVIDIA nForce 980a SLI ATX AMD Motherboard

HDD: $74.99:
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

GPU: $229.99:
GIGABYTE GV-N460OC-1GI GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

TOTAL = $737.94 - $25 Main in Rebate additional = $712,94

MUCH better system. And instantly upgradable with a 2nd GTX 460.

 

[anonymousdude]

So let me get this straight. You're recommending this substandard overpriced build recommendation from a guy who didn't even try to use combos and used bargain basement components? I dlon't care if the guy is going to use all of the capabilities now or not, you don't recommend 1066 RAM a lower processor and a low wattage over priced PSU when someone asks for advice on a build. Atleast act like you care a LITTLE and put in some effort to get the guy a deal.

That's about as good as he's going to get. Then tell me what's wrong with 1066 RAM if he isn't going ot be ocing. Tell me what wrong with the phenom II 945. Tell me what's wrong about the rest of the parts upendra09 picked. 600w is enough for sli gtx460's although I'd prefer a brand like corsair upendra'a PSU is 80 plus gold certified and that commands a premium all by itself. Lie upendra09 said if you think that his build sucks then make an alternative.

 

[Seattleguy2000]

That's about as good as he's going to get. Then tell me what's wrong with 1066 RAM if he isn't going ot be ocing. Tell me what wrong with the phenom II 945. Tell me what's wrong about the rest of the parts upendra09 picked. 600w is enough for sli gtx460's although I'd prefer a brand like corsair upendra'a PSU is 80 plus gold certified and that commands a premium all by itself. Lie upendra09 said if you think that his build sucks then make an alternative.

That's about as good as he's going to get if you're someone who doesn't know a thing about combos, deals, or what you should look for. Look at my post above for a better starting point. That's not the best he's going to get for $700. Makes me laugh to think about it.

 

[Seattleguy2000]

OP: Just completed my recommendation see above.

 

[piivilp]

no link to the combo :x

 

[Seattleguy2000]

no link to the combo :x

Just go to Newegg, search for the processor I wrote above, click on combos and find the combo with the PSU that's stated there. It'll take about 5 minutes to find it. The price will match what I wrote cause I just looked it up myself. I don't have time to go back and search again.

 

[anonymousdude]

That's about as good as he's going to get if you're someone who doesn't know a thing about combos, deals, or what you should look for. Look at my post above for a better starting point. That's not the best he's going to get for $700. Makes me laugh to think about it.

If you knew a thing or two about parts then then you would know that that is about as good as he's going to get.

Anyways this is much better power supply with the 955. The ocx is crap as far as I'm concerned.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.468987

Your memory kit if you want the hassle of rebates

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226103

or any other kit as long as it is from a reputable brand

Your mobo is somewhat of a troublesome product as there are very few amd sli boards.

Either the 750a or 980a.

I'd say get the 980a msi. I prefer giagbyte and asus, but msi is good too. it's a shell shocker so grab it now

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130236&cm_re=amd_sli-_-13-130-236-_-Product

cheaper 750a board

the gtx 460 wither 768mb or 1gb depending on what you want, but i prefer the msi 768 because of its cooler and the increased performance of the 1gb won't be noticed at 1680x1050

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127512

HDD

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185&cm_re=samsung_f3-_-22-152-185-_-Product

Total 722.94 before rebates 662.94 after

add $20 to the price if you want the 1gb version of the gtx 460 so 742.94 br and 682.94 after
You could even squeeze in a cpu cooler for only $10 over budget.

What did I accomplish for that price essentially the same performance as upendra's build and got him better memory which isn't going to be noticeable and a BE processor wen he isn't even sure if he's going to oc. A saving of $30 mostly from a combo deal. shell shocker, and dropping down to the 768mb version of the gtx460. Move back up to the 1gb causing a savings of maybe $10 from upendra's build. Slightly better, but not so much better that I can say upendra's build was bad.

 

[Seattleguy2000]

If you knew a thing or two about parts then then you would know that that is about as good as he's going to get.

Anyways this is much better power supply with the 955. The ocx is crap as far as I'm concerned.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.468987

Your memory kit if you want the hassle of rebates

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226103

or any other kit as long as it is from a reputable brand

Your mobo is somewhat of a troublesome product as there are very few amd sli boards.

Either the 750a or 980a.

I'd say get the 980a msi. I prefer giagbyte and asus, but msi is good too. it's a shell shocker so grab it now

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130236&cm_re=amd_sli-_-13-130-236-_-Product

cheaper 750a board

the gtx 460 wither 768mb or 1gb depending on what you want, but i prefer the msi 768 because of its cooler and the increased performance of the 1gb won't be noticed at 1680x1050

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127512

HDD

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185&cm_re=samsung_f3-_-22-152-185-_-Product

Total 722.94 before rebates 662.94 after

add $20 to the price if you want the 1gb version of the gtx 460 so 742.94 br and 682.94 after
You could even squeeze in a cpu cooler for only $10 over budget.

What did I accomplish for that price essentially the same performance as upendra's build and got him better memory which isn't going to be noticeable and a BE processor wen he isn't even sure if he's going to oc. A saving of $30 mostly from a combo deal. shell shocker, and dropping down to the 768mb version of the gtx460. Move back up to the 1gb causing a savings of maybe $10 from upendra's build. Slightly better, but not so much better that I can say upendra's build was bad.

There's a reason I chose the board I did. NONE of your boards are good suggestions. They all run the second SLI card at 8X. Those are 16X for the first card, but run the 2nd card at 8X. You don't want that. If the guy has first priority on SLI, as he mentioned, he should go with my motherboard.

 

[anonymousdude]

There's a reason I chose the board I did. NONE of your boards are good suggestions. They all run the second SLI card at 8X. Those are 16X for the first card, but run the 2nd card at 8X. You don't want that. If the guy has first priority on SLI, as he mentioned, he should go with my motherboard.

Then what do call this off of newegg's spec page

3 PCI Express x16 slots with x16 operation (PCI Express Bus SPEC V2.0 compliant)
The three PCIE x 16 lanes will be x16 / x16 / x0 or x16 / x8 / x8

Either x16/x16 with the third slot inactive or all three slots active with the latter two being x8
Also most graphics cards can't saturate all of a pci-e 2.0 x16 slot's bandwidth. The performance difference is minimal unless you're using gtx 480's and such.

This is what toms article said a couple days ago

That is to say, for most of today’s tests, a faster CPU would be far more important than dual x16 slots in achieving the ultimate SLI performance.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/pcie-geforce-gtx-480-x16-x8-x4,2696-17.html

 

[Seattleguy2000]

Then what do call this off of newegg's spec page

3 PCI Express x16 slots with x16 operation (PCI Express Bus SPEC V2.0 compliant)
The three PCIE x 16 lanes will be x16 / x16 / x0 or x16 / x8 / x8

Either x16/x16 with the third slot inactive or all three slots active with the latter two being x8
Also most graphics cards can't saturate all of a pci-e 2.0 x16 slot's bandwidth. The performance difference is minimal unless you're using gtx 480's and such.

This is what toms article said a couple days ago

That is to say, for most of today’s tests, a faster CPU would be far more important than dual x16 slots in achieving the ultimate SLI performance.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/pcie-geforce-gtx-480-x16-x8-x4,2696-17.html

Look, again, I don't care what you think is "acceptable" as far as compromises you can live with. I don't live with compromises. Read what I said, NONE OF YOUR BOARDS DO 16X WITH THE 2ND CARD. The board I recommended does. It may not be as important with a 460GTX but if he upgrades to a 480 some day, it damn sure is important. My build was $710 after rebates for MUCH better components. Upendra's advice was complete and utter garbage. He was recommending a substandard processor, substandard ram, a 550w psu for an SLI system and all for the same $700 price range I hit. Go smoke on that kid.

 

[Upendra09]

alright bud you dont' get it do you

945 is only one step below your 955 hence, it is not substandard

second i meant to recommend a 600 watt PSU not a 550 watt, get it? i know 550 watt isn't enough for SLI, it isn't even enough for a Phenom 945 and GTX 460 in the same computer

so for the last time, i was meaning to recommend a 600 watt PSu, not a 550 watt PSU

 

[Seattleguy2000]

alright bud you dont' get it do you

945 is only one step below your 955 hence, ti is not substandard

second i meant to recommend a 600 watt PSU not a 550 watt, get it? i know 550 watt isn't enough for SLI, it isn't even enough for a Phenom 945 and GTX 460 in the same computer

so for the last time, i was meaning to recommend a 600 watt PSu, not a 550 watt PSU

Seriously dude, ARE YOU ON THE SLOW BUS IN THE MORNINGS? It is substandard not because of just the components, but because of the components AND the build and the price that you recommended. I mean does it occur to you that within $10 of your original build price, I was able to include an AMD 955, DDR3 1600, a 700W PSU, and a better motherboard? Seriously? Is it that hard for you to figure out? *rolls his eyes*

 

[anonymousdude]

Look, again, I don't care what you think is "acceptable" as far as compromises you can live with. I don't live with compromises. Read what I said, NONE OF YOUR BOARDS DO 16X WITH THE 2ND CARD. The board I recommended does. It may not be as important with a 460GTX but if he upgrades to a 480 some day, it damn sure is important. My build was $710 after rebates for MUCH better components. Upendra's advice was complete and utter garbage. He was recommending a substandard processor, substandard ram, a 550w psu for an SLI system and all for the same $700 price range I hit. Go smoke on that kid.

you actually chose a fecal PSU. None of the boards I recommended do x16 with the second card. Maybe you should get your eyes checked and look at the specs of the board. x16 with the second card as long as the third slot is not in used and since I don;t see him getting a pci-e soundcard or anything it will do x16 with the second card. Same chipset betwen the asus and msi only difference is that the msi has a third full size pci-e slot. Also exactly how are your components better? same proc, same memory, my better psu, comparable mobo's, and the same chip for the graphics card. Only difference for the graphics card is that I chose the 768mb version with a better cooler, but I told him that he could get the 1gb version if he wanted even though even though there wouldn't be much difference. Upendra's advice wasn't garbage because he saw that he probably wasn't going to oc so no sense for a BE, RAM was based on price and timings. Tighter timings are better than faster speed. an 80 plus gold PSU that if you still don't understand commands a huge premium in the market. also upendra a 550w is enough for a single gtx 460 as nvidia only recommends 450w for a single one.

 

[Upendra09]

i was responding to where you said

"substandard processor"

not setup, learn to read

and good job you gave him a better setup, that is what we are here for. not incessant comments on how something could be better like you did up there for 5 posts before you finally got a better setup.
don't get so riled up ud, it isn't and end all be all decision