Which of these four options should I choose?

[jkeaton88]

1) ASUS GTX560 Ti overclocked SLI (dual)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121425&cm_re=asus_560_ti-_-14-121-425-_-Product
Total Price: $510

2) XFX HD6950 CF (dual)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150527&cm_re=6950_xfx-_-14-150-527-_-Product
Total Price: $540

3) MSI GTX580 overclocked (single)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127579&cm_re=msi_580-_-14-127-579-_-Product
Price: $526 - However, I am planning to buy another one of these for dual sli in 10 months or so when the price drops to around $300-350. I think this might be possible since GTX480 which had a launch price of $500 in early 2010 is now around $300-350. So it will run around $850-900 total if I purchase another one for SLI.

Which of these three options should I choose? I only use one monitor (1920x1080) and my setup will have i7 970 CPU and 12 gb RAM. I need a GPU setup that will allow me to play games at 1920x1080 resolution and highest setting with 30+ fps for the next few years or so.

Also, what are the differences between AMD and Nvidia GPUs as far as performance, reliability, heating issues, drivers, and longevity?

** By the way, I meant to write "three options", not "four" in the title.

 

[phenom90]

most games can be played at your settings at 30++ fps by a single gtx 570 or hd 6950... so sli may be overkill for your need now.... although i would recommend going for single gpu first as it has least issues compared to multi-gpu solution... if you really going for multi-gpu... hd 6950 seems like the better choice as amd has improved its multi-card performance much better compared to last generation

 

[ionut19]

I would chose the gtx580 for 1 reason only, fastest single chip video card. You can ad another one later down the road. Also 1 card means better stability, less bugs.

You haven't mentioned your PSU. I presume it can handle 2 gtx580 and a hexa core overclocked, no?

 

[vladislav227]

XFX HD6950 SLI (dual)

is good enoug to play games of 2011 and i think 2012

 

[ionut19]

That's crossfire, not SLI :d .

 

[jkeaton88]

I would chose the gtx580 for 1 reason only, fastest single chip video card. You can ad another one later down the road. Also 1 card means better stability, less bugs.

You haven't mentioned your PSU. I presume it can handle 2 gtx580 and a hexa core overclocked, no?

I am planning to purchase 1000W PSU by Cooler Master.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171056
Would that be enough?

 

[ionut19]

CM calculator gives you under 800w. New egg calculator gives you 994w psu recommended.
A 1 Kw psu will suffice with spare room i say.

 

[mdd1963]

Otion 2 is incredibly fast for $580-ish, IMO, with performance rivaling a 6990....

 

[mdd1963]

1) .

Which of these three options should I choose? I only use one monitor (1920x1080) and my setup will have i7 970 CPU and 12 gb RAM. I need a GPU setup that will allow me to play games at 1920x1080 resolution and highest setting with 30+ fps for the next few years or so.

Also, what are the differences between AMD and Nvidia GPUs as far as performance, reliability, heating issues, drivers, and longevity?

** By the way, I meant to write "three options", not "four" in the title.

If you've not already made the 970 w/X58 purchase, I'd seriously review '2500k/2600k on Z68' gaming performance before doing so...

 

[ionut19]

^1, that's a really good advice. Also check witch motherboards give you double 16x PCI-E slots for the 1155 socket. Also read the review on the Z68 motherboards made by toms.