Need help selecting a GPU for new gaming rig

rukevre

Honorable
Feb 21, 2012
15
0
10,510
Hello, I'm going to link the build I am planning on purchasing because in all likelihood it will help answer any questions you might have directed back at me. I would like to say in advance however, I have little experience with PC components, I've been an avid gamer for years but have always had to use a laptop with low-mid settings. I had a good financial year this year and would like to invest in a gaming rig that is powerful but not over the top price wise. My biggest question remains my GPU, I would prefer nVidia because I've had negative experiences with AMD in the past.

I know Kepler is on the horizon due March / April, however I work away from home for long lengths of time and I would like to purchase and use my new rig soon and get a few months on it before leaving to work again. Initially I have selected the GTX 580 as my GPU, and I intended to later add a second one. Would this be a viable option? And would simply swapping to a Kepler series card be more effective or more viable than just adding a second GTX 580 in future?

I appreciate your thoughts / comments in advance.


Processor:
Intel Core i7 2600K Quad Core Unlocked Hyperthreading Processor LGA1155 3.4GHZ Sandy Bridge 8MB
http://www.ncix.com/products/produ [...] &sku=57960

CPU Heatsink:
Corsair Cooling Hydro Series H80 High Performance CPU Cooler System LGA775 1366 1156 1155 AM2 AM3
http://www.ncix.com/products/produ [...] &sku=61379

Motherboard:
Gigabyte Z68X-UD3H-B3 ATX LGA1155 Z68 DDR3 1PCI-E16 3PCI-E1 2PCI HDMI SLI SATA3 USB3.0 Motherboard
http://www.ncix.com/products/produ [...] &sku=61002

Ram: (Is upgrading it from 8gb -> 16gb worth it?)
Corsair CMZ8GX3M2A1866C9 Vengeance 8GB 2X4GB DDR3-1866 CL9-10-9-27 Memory Kit
http://www.ncix.com/products/produ [...] &sku=58165

Video Card:
1x GeForce GTX 580 772MHZ 1536MB 4GHZ GDDR5 PCI-E Dual DVI-I Mini HDMI
http://www.ncix.com/products/produ [...] &sku=56817

Computer Case:
Corsair Obsidian Series 800D Full Tower Case EATX 5X5.25 4X3.5 Hotswappable 2X3.5INT No PS USB 1394
http://www.ncix.com/products/produ [...] &sku=41960

Power Supply:
Corsair Professional HX850W 850W ATX 12V 70A 24PIN ATX Modular Power Supply Active PFC 140MM Fan
http://www.ncix.com/products/produ [...] &sku=38650

Harddrive:
Seagate Barracuda 1TB 7200RPM 64MB SATA 6Gbps 3.5IN Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.ncix.com/products/produ [...] &sku=65701

SSD:
Corsair Force Series 3 60GB SSD SATA3 Solid State Disk 525MB/S Read SandForce SF-2200
http://www.ncix.com/products/produ [...] &sku=64569