Hi all,
Next Tuesday, I should be getting well paid for a recent job, and I'm in the market for a new GPU (budget around £300). Here's a summary of the things I'd like to get out of this GPU:
- Fairly future proof gaming GPU (preferably for the next 3-4 years - my average GPU upgrade period).
- The ability to run it with my current 8800GTS for 3 displays - details to follow.
- Reliability (so basically if anyone knows of problems with the newer GPU's, I'd like to avoid these if possible) - I don't plan to overclock either card.
The relevant parts of my current spec (hopefully I haven't missed anything):
Asus Maximus Formula SE X38
Intel Q6850 @3.00GHz
2x2GB OCZ 240DIMM PC2-6400 Gold RAM
XFX GeForce 8800GTS 640MB PCIE
*Antec 650W EPS PSU Black
1x1920x1080 primary and 2x1600x1200 secondary
Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit
* I realise this PSU is both underpowered for 2 cards, and only has 2x PCIE 6-pin connectors, where I'd need 3 for the 8800 and a newer card. I can borrow a power supply from a friend to test everything works ok (and possibly borrow it until I can get a new one). I guess I'm looking at something like an
Antec TruePower Quattro 1000W, although any alternative suggestions would be most appreciated (assuming it'll fit ok in an Antec Titan 650 Server Case).
Anyone see any further compatibility/other problems with the proposed setup?
As for the 3 displays part, I'm not looking at spanning games over all 3 (unless it's actually possible - I'm not really bothered about this). I've got a 1920x1080 primary monitor (DVI to HDMI cable - it's a TV) which I'm quite happy gaming on, along with 2 1600x1200 secondary's (DVI) - only one of which I can currently use with my 8800. My plan is to let the new GPU power the primary (so I can use it's full power for gaming), and the 8800 power the two secondary's - this would be very useful for my work and well as handy recreationally. Hopefully I'm not oversimpifying how this all would work or overlooking anything vital.
On the gaming front, the games (which come to mind) that I've had to run on lowish-mid settings atm are GTA4, ARMA2 and Far Cry 2 (which several times tried to murder my 8800). I'd quite like to see these in all their glory at 1920x1080 (no small feat I realise), and be future proofed for newer titles (DX11 etc.).
Finally, the cards I've been looking at (although please feel free to suggest any alternatives provided you can detail solid reasons why
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):
Asus GeForce GTX 470 1280MB
XFX ATI Radeon HD 5870 1024MB
Possible problems I can think of (answers from experts/first hand experience obviously preferable to conjecture):
- Mixing ATI/Nvidia in PCIE slots (although reading around it seems Windows 7 doesn't mind, and I'm pretty sure I can get Ubuntu to be happy with it for my work).
- I'm currently using Nvidia's TwinView configuration with my 8800 - I guess this is just a span since I can drag windows between etc.). How would this work when mixing cards and/or ATI & Nvidia drivers?
- I guess my total resolution would be 5120x1200 - is this ok with 2 cards, Windows 7 etc.
- I've got alot of extension cards in my motherboard, and I'm a little worried about cooling seeing as the GPU's are both 2-slot and so would end up taking the top 4 slots - right next to each other). I've got 4 case fans (I think they're 80mm although I'm not 100% certain), 2 on the front, 1 on the back, and 1 on the side. I can open the case up and take a closer look if necessary.
I'm from the UK, and prefer to get my hardware from Overclockers/Dabs/Amazon (although Scan seem to have some really good offers, I just haven't used them before). I don't mind delaying my buy (although excitement prevails nonetheless) if there's a likely decent price drop on some of the newer gear in the next month or two.
Finally apologies for the really long post - I'm sure you all realise now why it had to be so detailed - and many thanks in advance to anyone to actually gets through it all/can offer any advice.