First off, I wanted to say thanks to the forum as a whole for being an incredible wealth of knowledge for me over the years. I've been lurking here on the forums for years but was always able to find what I needed through searching or the like. Normally through reviews and benchmarks I can make my own decisions about hardware. For some reason, I just can't make up my mind in this case.
The Question: I currently have a BFG 285 gtx OC. I want to add more kick to the Video end of my rig and am not sure what is the best way to go about doing so.
Current setup -
Case - Antec 900
PS - PS - Mushkin XP-650w
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817812001
CPU - Phenom II 965 Denab 3.4ghz (stock clocked 'cause I'm trying to adjust to 3rds and I sleep all the time)
Cooler - Sunbeam CR-CCTF 120mm
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835207004&Tpk=N82E16835207004
Ram - 8 GB G. Skill Ripjaw DDR 3 1600
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277&Tpk=N82E16820231277 (currently 4gb, other 4gb are on the way)
Mobo - Asus M4N98TD Evo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131636(also on the way)
GPU - BFG 285 gtx OC (Can't find a URL for this that actually lists technical specs anymore
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My question - I am in the process of bringing things up a notch in the system because it just feels old/outdated (read: I've got the itch). As you can see, a new mobo is on the way as well as more ram. I'd like to go SLI mostly because I never have and its cheaper than buying one big card, right now. I don't have tons of money to throw around, but I'm a stickler for a good deal - if it doesn't pack a lot of bang for the buck, I'm usually not interested. That being said, I can usually be persuaded to pony up a little more cash if its a better deal.
I was trying to decide between getting another 285 gtx or picking up a couple 460 gtx - either way, ending up running SLI. I have doubts about BFG - though this card has been rock solid for me for over a year, now. Them dropping out of the video card business and recent events make my 'life time warranty' little more then a joke. However, this might enable me to pickup another 285 gtx OC for a good deal (curse my frugal parents, the deals always get me
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I am attracted to the 460s because they are newer hardware, run cooler and more quietly, and scale very very well when used in SLI. I was thinking the PNY XLR8 1gb OC model (765 core and 1530 shader out of the box)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133326&Tpk=N82E16814133326
I think a good portion of the desire for this upgrade is wanting to build and work with an sli setup.
What do you guys think ? Should I pickup another 285 or look for a set of 460s ? If the 460s, how do you think the PNY model will fit my system ? Would you recommend a different one ? Thanks in advance for your help.
-Tim
APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Preferrabley this weekend, sometime
BUDGET RANGE: 400ish for new GPU(s) Before / After Rebates - I hate mail in rebates
USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming. I play most everything. Thinking about playing Metro 2033 again(didn't run too hot when I cranked it up the first time through).
CURRENT GPU AND POWER SUPPLY: see above.
OTHER RELEVANT SYSTEM SPECS: see above.
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: I'm not too picky, but I prefer NewEgg.
PARTS PREFERENCES: SLI board on the way, so I prefer nVidia
OVERCLOCKING: Maybe
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Yes
MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Really looking to pickup GPU(s) that will match the system well (will be OCing the proccessor eventually)