Complete System Upgrade

[clarkaelliott]

Hello everyone, I've recently purchased a complete system upgrade except for SSD and Video Card, I've decided on the Samsung 830 240g SSD and now I am in the market for a new video card to replace my ancient GTX 280. http://www.amazon.com/BFG-Tech-NVIDIA-GeForce-GDDR3/dp/B001B648QO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1339303185&sr=8-1&keywords=bfg+gtx+280+oc

I plan to game for long periods of time, 2-8 hour sessions 3-6 times a week on games like Starcraft 2, Diablo 3, League of Legends, Skyrim, Civ 5 etc... probably a few FPS sooner or later, haven't played since the CS 1.6 days.

Anyways, let me break down the build.
Case : Antec 900 V3 Two
MB : ASUS Sabertooth Z77
PSU : Corsair HX-850W (6*6+2 pcie)
CPU : I5-2500k (will be oc) with CM Hyper 212.
RAM : G.Skill Ripjaws X (2x4GB) 7-8-8-24 DDR3 1600 at 1.5v (Will be adding 2 more sticks for 4*4GB)

The question here is What video card to buy.

I plan to upgrade to PCI 3.0 when Intel finishes out the 1155 socket, I will upgrade to the highest end cpu of the 1155 granted it's under $400 and utilize my MB's support of PCI 3.0, so for the time being I need to upgrade to a Direct X 11 video card PCI 2.0.

I'll be gaming at 1920x1080 on a single monitor and I'd like to have 60 fps, an occasional fps drop is perfectly acceptable. I just don't want to spend more than I have to but I DO NOT want to compromise performance for price.

Does anyone know what card I need or have any suggestions? I was thinking about a 580 but it may be overkill considering I will probably purchase a 670 or whatever is current in the next 1-2 years.

 

[clarkaelliott]

My primary reason for upgrading is the GTX 280 runs very, very, very, very and then some HOT!!! I could cook on this thing at times, I am actually very impressed it still functions after all the abuse it has been through. Also it's limited to Direct X10.
I'm seeking a newer card for
Direct X11
FPS - Performance
Cool Running *Noise is not that big a deal within reason*
and lastly price.

Not too worried about size, most cards fit in my case except a few of the monsters out there.

 

[dudewitbow]

may i ask why you have a psu that has enough power to power 3 cards?

 

[xerb]

Wow lots of neat high end stuff.

What's the budget for the Graphics Card?

I would suggest the GTX 670, not the GTX 580 because its from the last generation and its kinda getting old.

 

[GI_JONES]

There is no need to limit yourself to a PCIe 2.0 graphics, since PCIe 3.0 is backwards compatable. The GTX 580 would probably be a poor choice as it is a fairly hot running card, and there are better newer options.
An HD7950, HD7870, or GTX670 would be a good option. A 7950 would cost about $360, or a 7870 for about $320. They are comparable to the GTX580. The GTX 670 would be the best performer of the bunch, and the run $400-$420. Your power supply is more than enough for any of these cards
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130782

 

[clarkaelliott]

I appreciate your responses ^^
I purchased the 850 for the 6*6+2 pcie pins, if I can continue to afford to budget for my pc upgrades I hope to run 3 monitor surround one day and needed the power supply for it, but that is a luxury so not something I am planning for today, I just figured I'd go ahead and invest in the PSU and hope it's running strong the day I add more resolution if money permits.

GI_JONES I read that the i5-2500k does not support pci 3.0 cards even though the motherboard does, I plan to upgrade to ivy bridge or haswell but for now I think I am stuck at 2.0 or 2.1 if I'm not mistaken. I am not 100% sure as I only read this from a single source.

 

[clarkaelliott]

I am sorry I did not answer your question ><
Budget is flexible, While I'd love to spend $100 and be happy, I can afford a GTX 580, I just don't want to buy a 580 if I really won't need it for a single 1080 display. I wonder if a 560 ti would suffice or amd solutions as I haven't even looked into any of there products.

 

[GI_JONES]

I appreciate your responses ^^
I purchased the 850 for the 6*6+2 pcie pins, if I can continue to afford to budget for my pc upgrades I hope to run 3 monitor surround one day and needed the power supply for it, but that is a luxury so not something I am planning for today, I just figured I'd go ahead and invest in the PSU and hope it's running strong the day I add more resolution if money permits.

GI_JONES I read that the i5-2500k does not support pci 3.0 cards even though the motherboard does, I plan to upgrade to ivy bridge or haswell but for now I think I am stuck at 2.0 or 2.1 if I'm not mistaken. I am not 100% sure as I only read this from a single source.

There isnt any conflict with the Intel i5 2500k, and PCIe 3.0 cards, wherever you read that they are wrong. The HD 7870 for around $320 would give you GTX580 performance, for $70-80 less. Also GTX5 570's are getting pretty cheap.I've seen them for under $250 after rebate a few times lately, but for smooth 1080 gaming, with high/ultra settings in any game out there you would probably want to have an HD 7870 or better. For $400 the GTX 670 is the best card out

 

[xerb]

A PCIE 3.0 card will work on a PCIE 2.0 slot and won't make much of a performance difference.

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Intel/Ivy_Bridge_PCI-Express_Scaling/6.html