So I just bought a Matrix GTX580 (need opinions)

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xSeanZx

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Resolution note: WIll be running at 1920 x 1080 on a 24 inch monitor.

Okay, so I had a lot more money left over than I thought when I purchased my video card, and I ended up going with the Platinum Matrix GTX580.

I bought my new build for not just the present, but for the future, and I thought it would be smart to get this card and be able to SLI it in the future.

Now, I have read all about how SLI two 560 Ti would be better, but my main concern is how long they will last me, as opposed to keeping the 580 and possibly SLI it in the future.

Right now I am primarily playing WoW, SOurce games, etc. so nothing too taxing, but I do plan on getting BF 3 which is one reason I am building a new comp.

One major question I had is with this motherboard: http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0366621

Will I be able to SLI a 580 on it in the future?

Do you think this single Matrix GTX580 will be able to run BF 3 pretty well?

Right now I am rocking a 850W PS, so I know I will probably need to upgrade that, but that is for future. Im concerned about the main components.

Thanks for the help!
 
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unknown_13

unknown_13

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Yes that MB can do SLI.
As for the PSU, from which manufacturer is it?

BTW, beast of a card you have there, i'm sure that it will run BF3 on high settings with some AA/AF @ 1080p, maybe max settings if they optimize it even more.

edit - also you're going to need an OC'ed i7 2600K or the upcoming Ivy Bridge if you want not to bottleneck two GTX580's.
 
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mdd1963

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The MB specs pretty clearly list both "2 way SLI" and "2 way Crossfire"....; so, YES, it will/could be used for SLI in the future...

Even a single GTX580 is quite a powerhouse for 1920x1080; might be a while before you need to contemplate a 2nd card....
 
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xSeanZx

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I saw that MDD, but my main concern was the size of the card, the Matrix 580 looks pretty beefy.

Unknown, I am using a Thermaltake 850W power supply. I know, not one of the most recommended brands, but i dont really want to spend 30 bucks more on the 900W antec one ... I have seen a lot of people here rocking thermaltakes but if it really is a huge deal I would consider changing it.

And would it be safe to say I should keep the 580 over the SLI 560 Tis if not only for the possibility of SLI this card in the future?

and as far as the processor goes... I decided to go with an i5 2500k. Would I be safe just waiting maybe , say 1 or 2 years to SLI and then just get a new processor along with it? Or would I need to replace the mobo as well? Truly, I want the most upgradeable option for myself from the base of what I have.

Just for reference here is the final build I think I am set on (I already purchased all the items). Disregard some of the prices, I bought the build entirely in store, and know i could get it online cheaper but im not a huge fan of online ordering for stuff like this ><

Prcoessor: Intel Core i5 2500k Sandy Bridge 3.3 GHz - $179.99
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0354589

Motherboard: Z68A-GD65 (B3) LGA 1155 Z68 ATX Intel Motherboard - $159.99
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0366621

Cooler: Antec Kuhler H20 620 Liquid Cooling System - On sale for $57.00
http://www.frys.com/product/6568373?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

Memory: Corsair Vengeance Series 8GB DDR3-1600 (PC3-12800) CL9 Dual Channel Desktop Memory Kit - $89.99
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0359910

SSD for booting: Crucial m4 CT064M4SSD2 64GB SATA 6.0Gb/s 2.5" Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) - $114.99
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0364541

HDD for storage: Hitachi 1.5TB 5400RPM 64MB Cache - $64.99
(Dont have link online)

Operating System: MS OEM Windows 7 home Edition 64 bit - $109.99

Monitor: Samsung 24" LED LS24A350HS - $249.99
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0360134

Case: Cooler Master HAF 922M ATX Computer Case - $89.99
http://www.frys.com/product/5927304?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

Power Supply: Thermaltake TR2 RX 850W Power Supply - $129.99
http://www.frys.com/product/6030478?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

Graphics Card: ASUS MATRIX GTX580 1.5GB - $ 539.99
http://www.frys.com/product/6678704?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG
 
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unknown_13

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Nice rig you got there, i'd just buy an Dell U2311H instead of that Samsung, Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB instead of that Hitachi, and a Crucial C300/OCZ Vertex 2.

The i5-2500K is an excellent CPU, no worries there with a single GTX580. I'd just give it a nice OC to 4.3/4.4Ghz and get ready for the mayhem :) You may want to upgrade to an Ivy bridge next year though if you're going to run 2 GTX580. And stick with that GTX580 ;)

Also that PSU is a solid one, Thermaltake have good PSU's, i'd put them in the same bracket with the Cm Silent Pro series.
 
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ubercake

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That's a three-slot 580 card. Your motherboard can handle it because you have 2 slots between your PCIe 16x slots.

Not sure I'd bank on that power supply. If you're going to be forking out the big bucks, you may as well be running with something that will support your habit reliably. I can't stress enough the value of good power. Every one of your system's components relies on this. I'd recommend a Corsair 850W or above TX/HX/AX. You could get away with a 750W, but that video card is made for OC'ing, so imagine that's what you're going to be doing with it. This requires additional wattage. My system with reference 580s peaks in the high 600s watt range when playing BFBC2.

You won't have to worry about bottlenecks with the 2500K. I run 2 580s with the system in my signature and my GPU load for each is in the high 90%s while playing BFBC2, MOH, and Crysis 2. No CPU bottleneck there or these things wouldn't be running at max loads like that. My res is also 1080p.

I'm sure the 2 560s in SLI are great, but 2 580s? Awesome. You can crank AA and AA transparency and these 580s produce and ask for more. Everything is just beautiful in BFBC2. At this point, I just want to pick up a 120Hz monitor to really take advantage of my framerates.

If you're looking to have the best gaming performance, you can count on buying the latest and greatest with a 3-year upgrade plan in mind. Get what you can now, upgrade along the way, and plan to replace your CPU, motherboard, and graphics cards in 3 years. Also, with the way Intel is pumping out new system architectures, you have to know every year is going to bring some new temptation.
 
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xSeanZx

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Well, the SSD im keeping because I really like the price point for an in store one.

However, for the samsung Hard Drive, would it be this one here: http://www.frys.com/product/6473452?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

if so, I might be interested in that hard drive, as I have heard it is pretty fast?

As far as the screen goes, I love Samsungs. The DELLs seem overpriced for a 23 inch, but I havent really seen the quality of the screen itself.

But for sure you think stick with the GTX580 for now rather than SLI two 560 Tis just because of the upgrade options in the future?
 
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xSeanZx

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So what you are saying is, stick with the Matrix GTX580 right now because of the great update options in the future.

Also, the power supply should be enough for 1 of these things yes? ... I of course plan on updating my power supply if I ever do decide to SLI it (if i even really need to), so for now I feel like I am happy with what I have.

Also, you seem pretty knowledgable, do you think I have a pretty decent rig here as a first build and everything? I feel pretty happy about everything I got.
 
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mdd1963

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As most folks' 2500k samples seem to hit 4.6 GHz or so, it is an excellent choice over the 2600k anyway....

I think a single GTX580 (or GTX570, or single 6970) is a nice choice....; yes, two GTX560's might be a bit faster, but, you have a 1.5GB framebuffer to allow future texture heavy games to do very well up through 2560x1600 res....

One choice to consider, strictly as a moderate price/yet high performance option: pair of 6950(2gb) GPUs....knocks on the GTX590's door in performance, but at $480 cost....
 
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unknown_13

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Yes, that is the HDD i was talking about, i'd take it over that Hitachi any day.
And that Dell has an IPS panel, that's why i recommend it :)

Back on topic, as the others said, the TT 850W PSU would be way enough for one GTX580, but not for two of them. And stick with the GTX580 as the others said. If you OC the CPU, you're going to see even better performance.
Also as someone pointed out, 2 HD 6950's are also a great choice, but no match for 2 GTX580. That's why i recommend sticking with the GTX580, it maxes out any game right now @ 1080p, and for some 1-2 years time, get another when you won't be able to put max AA/AF in games :D
 
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ubercake

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That's an 850 Toughpower Grand (80-plus Gold certified) or the Black Widow (80-plus bronze), right?

If so, that 850W power supply can easily power 2 580s and the rest of your setup even with the GPUs OC'd a little. Like I said, my system with two 580s running at 99% with a worst case scenario of 90% efficiency (I say worst case meaning the power draw from the wall being at a peak of 780W - I measured this with an appliance load tester during BFBC2 - and the PSU is operating at Gold-level efficiency) require at most 700W from the PSU. OC'ing the system would demand more, but this demonstrates the fact you can easily run 2 580s with that 850W PSU based on the PSUs specs. The whole reason I hooked the appliance load tester up is due to everyone making guesses out there as to how much power is required of a system running two 580s.

Additionally, if that's the Toughpower, that's one of Thermaltake's better power supplies as it's produced by Channel Well:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/power-supply-oem-manufacturer,2913-9.html

Compare this to all the HX/TX Corsair models everyone recommends and you'll see they're produced by the same manufacturer:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/power-supply-oem-manufacturer,2913-5.html

Now if it's the Black Widow TR2, it's a HEC. Not the best, but still has enough on the 12V rail to run 2 GTX 580s and ask for more. Also, it has a 5-year warranty. I'd say TT is backing that product and has a good degree of confidence in its performance/quality.

As a result, I'd say that either power supply is good. I'd also say you could easily run two Matrix 580s with quite a bit of a CPU OC with it.

Based on what you've told us so far, it seems like you have a good build going.

 
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xSeanZx

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This is the HEC one, and it is 80 plus bronze certified and it does have a 5 year warranty.

Now one thing I see, is that it looks like it has 4 PCI E connectors.

Doesnt the GTX 580 use three of them? Meaning I would need 6 to SLI them?
 
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xSeanZx

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Yeah, I have heard about crossfiring two 6950 2GB, first of all though I have only seen them going for like 300 or more each?

Also, I just want the chance to SLI this 580 in the future if I need to. It seems like this card is pretty beastly and will run games alone on high settings, and that is what im looking for. Right now I am only playing WoW, source games, etc. but I do really want BF 3 coming up but I think the GTX 580 will even cut through that like butter.

I was hesitant to pay 540 for a GPU, but it seems like there is overwhelming support for keeping it over the SLI 560Ti which was my main concern
 
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ubercake

ubercake

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Looks like the Matrix uses 2x 6+2s each. You'll have to use these adapters with your power supply when you get another one for SLI:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812200420&cm_re=6_pin_to_8_pin-_-12-200-420-_-Product

Until then, you can use the 6+2s off your supply for the 1.
 
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