[Mighty Cow]

Hey all, I just have a simple question. MSI or EVGA. I'm going to buy a GTX 560 Ti 2gb. I've found these 2 :

MSI: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127608

EVGA: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130683

I kinda leaning more toward the MSI one because of the 2 fans. Let me know what you guys think.

[HolyCrapAWalrus]

MSI has better cooling and EVGA has better customer service, take your pick.

Instead of a 2GB 560 Ti, you should get this EVGA GTX 560 Ti 448 Cores http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130738. It's in between a 560 Ti and a 570 and seeing as it's the same price you should get it.

[Mighty Cow]

HolyCrapAWalrus posted:

MSI has better cooling and EVGA has better customer service, take your pick.

Instead of a 2GB 560 Ti, you should get this EVGA GTX 560 Ti 448 Cores http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130738. It's in between a 560 Ti and a 570 and seeing as it's the same price you should get it.

I looked at that one... The minimum wattage for that one is 550w, and that's what I have now. So I'm not comfortable running it on the minimum requirement. Thanks for your input though!

[HolyCrapAWalrus]

What is your power supply? The minimum wattage on a lot of cards is a joke.

Edited:

List your full specs actually

[Ins4ne]

At one point my 550w antec had a gtx 570, 4 hard drives, and optical, 6 case fans, 16gb of ram and a 2600k.

Since then I went to a 620watt antec since it was on sale and needed another psu for a project build.

[Folstream]

The wattage minimums and recommendations on pretty much all graphics cards are way overrated. My dads computer is running a 5770 (450W rec) on a 400W PSU just fine, the total power consumption rarely ever gets to 300 even when gaming.

[Mighty Cow]

Well again, thanks for all your input. Here is my specs:

Operating System
MS Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
CPU
Intel Core 2 Duo E7500 @ 2.93GHz 27 °C
Wolfdale 45nm Technology
RAM
8.00 GB Single-Channel DDR3 @ 533MHz (7-6-6-19)
Motherboard
Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd. EP43T-UD3L (Socket 775) 29 °C
Graphics
E2340 (1920x1080@60Hz)
FPD1530 (1024x768@60Hz)
1024MB GeForce GTX 460 OC (PNY) 46 °C
Hard Drives
313GB SAMSUNG SAMSUNG HD321KJ ATA Device (SATA) 19 °C
Optical Drives
HL-DT-ST RW/DVD GCC-4481B ATA Device
Audio
High Definition Audio Device

Corsair H40 Liquid CPU cooler
4 120mm case fans
5 channel fan controller
(Temps really aren't a problem for me, I can always throw in an extra fan if needed)

My 460 is on its way out. (driver crashes, blue screens etc..) I had one before that lasted 30 days and had to RMA it, that was back in January last year. Which is why I'm in the market for a new card. When in game I never come close to using all of my vram, so I guess a 2gb card won't make much of a difference for me. Thanks for recommending the 448 edition, I didn't even know it existed.

[Shadaez]

better off getting a new CPU and motherboard imo, and fixing whatever issue you're having with the card

[Kaabii]

You know the real performance issue in your build is the CPU right? I'm running the same one, and in games I get 98-100% usage on both cores and only like 30% GPU utilization.

Ninja'd by Shadaez

[Mighty Cow]

Shadaez posted:

better off getting a new CPU and motherboard imo, and fixing whatever issue you're having with the card

Problem is that I don't have enough money to get a new CPU, and a new mobo... Chances are that I won't find much that a 550w can support. I've already went through this a couple times, and came to the conclusion that to get anything decent I'll have to get all 3.I might end up just buying a PSU that will run anything, then wait for more funds. Like a 750-800w, and just overkill it. Post some of your ideas for a CPU and mobo. Like new 775 processor, or new processor and mobo. Budget MAX is like 320$. (thats pushing it)

[SteelReal]

Mighty Cow posted:

Problem is that I don't have enough money to get a new CPU, and a new mobo. Chances are that I won't find much that a 550w can support. I've already went through this a couple times, and came to the conclusion that to get anything decent I'll have to get all 3.I might end up just buying a PSU that will run anything, then wait for more funds. Like a 750-800w, and just overkill it. Post some of your ideas for a CPU and mobo. Like new 775 processor, or new processor and mobo. Budget MAX is like 320$. (thats pushing it)

You'd be better off saving up for the new mobo and cpu. To give you an idea, a 2500k and a new motherboard is around $340. Surely you can scrounge up another $100.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813130583
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115072

[Mighty Cow]

I think I've got a plan here.. Buy a new PSU now... and wait. More money comes, than get a new mobo, and cpu. Planning on a i7 1155 2600k, with the board you posted above. Than even later, get a new GPU. BUT.. If my 460 shits before all this I'll just go ahead and buy that 448 core 560 now. Trust me I had tried every damn solution on the face of the internet to fix my old 460 before RMA'in. Even putting it in a whole different machine. So basically if it shits, RMA, sell it, than get the 560.

[Kaabii]

Mighty Cow posted:

I think I've got a plan here.. Buy a new PSU now... and wait. More money comes, than get a new mobo, and cpu. Planning on a i7 1155 2600k, with the board you posted above. Than even later, get a new GPU. BUT.. If my 460 shits before all this I'll just go ahead and buy that 448 core 560 now. Trust me I had tried every damn solution on the face of the internet to fix my old 460 before RMA'in. Even putting it in a whole different machine. So basically if it shits, RMA, sell it, than get the 560.

You don't need the 2600K for gaming, and Ivy Bridge comes out in two months. I don't understand your logic, can you explain it to us? This is what I see:

-You don't have a ton of cash, but you plan to buy an i7 which is $100 more than an i5 and will not perform noticeably better in games.

-You also want to space the purchases of your PSU, CPU and GPU upgrades out over a long period which will lead to one of them being outdated by the time you finish, rather than just RMA'ing your perfectly capable GTX 460 and just upgrading to Ivy Bridge in April.

[Shadaez]

lol how much wattage do you think you need? this is hilarious. people run 580s off of 500w PSU just fine

[Mighty Cow]

Based on what was said a new GPU is not necessary. So lets change gears and talk CPUs.
I found this:

(if this is somehow wrong.. please link me to a correct list/pic)
I like the idea of waiting till April when the Ivy Bridge series launches.

I have a few questions (yes i googled them)

1. Will a current LGA 1155 socket motherboard (one that I could buy now) work with an Ivy Bridge. From what I've found says no. Just looking for conformation here. (will the socket be different for the Ivys)

2. Based on the image I posted above or whatever other source you folks may have, what is the best "bang for your buck"? The most demanding game I play is BF3, and I'd imagine that future games are only going to get more demanding. So which one will be optimal for playing DX11 games without being shit? (or, which one would YOU buy? i5, i7?)


3. Are quad cores really that much better for gaming?

Newegg's power supply calculator says the following:

Intel Core i7 (LGA 1155) (closest thing to an Ivy Bridge)

High-End Desktop Motherboard

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460

8Gb DDR3

DVD-RW Drive

5400RPM 3.5" Hard Drive

483 W Total : 550 W Current PSU (with room to spare for a 560)

And I am aware the the new Ivy Bridge processors will use less power.
So a new PSU is NOT necessary.

That is what my system will be with a new processor. The i7 may change to i5 depending on what you people post. But now I'm looking for pointers as to which processor to buy, as mentioned in question 2 above. Might not be an Ivy bridge.. I don't know, which is why I'm asking. Or do I just go with something like what SteelReal posted above? I'd imagine that the Ivy series would stay current longer, but I could be wrong.

Note: For those recommending mobos, try to keep them SLI ready.. Another 460 and a new SLI psu will probably be cheaper than that 448 core by the time I would even think of doing that. (Is this idea of sli'ing 460s good/bad? Is it worth it? Do you think that it's better to just get a new card all together?) This isn't for now.. But for later. I'd rather have and SLI board and not use it, than want SLI and not have it.

[Kaabii]

I already told you, if you're gaming there's no point in buying an i7.

[HolyCrapAWalrus]

i5 is more gaming oriented, i7 is for people who do lots of rendering and graphic work. Power calculators are shit, they'll tell you to buy a 700W for a single 6970. Ivy Bridge is staying on 1155, but with IB-e it could potentially change to a newer socket type. The best price/performance card out right now is either the 6850 or 6870, but 560 Ti performs much better in BF3 (anywhere from 5-10 fps increase over 6870 depending on resolution and other stuff)

[Mighty Cow]

Thats helpful.. Thank you. So does waiting for Ivy to come out, keeping watch over the i5's and reading reviews, then making a selection sound good?

[HolyCrapAWalrus]

Might as well, Ivy Bridge is only 2 months away

Edited:

Also, regarding what you said about SLI 460's, I would assume they would perform better than a single 560 Ti 448, but don't take my word for it as I have no clue what they can handle

[Mighty Cow]

HolyCrapAWalrus posted:

Might as well, Ivy Bridge is only 2 months away

Haha yeah... Thanks again!

[Kaabii]

HolyCrapAWalrus posted:

Might as well, Ivy Bridge is only 2 months away

Edited:

Also, regarding what you said about SLI 460's, I would assume they would perform better than a single 560 Ti 448, but don't take my word for it as I have no clue what they can handle

Two 1GB 460s in SLI should outperform a 560 Ti 448.

Edited:

HolyCrapAWalrus posted:

i5 is more gaming oriented, i7 is for people who do lots of rendering and graphic work. Power calculators are shit, they'll tell you to buy a 700W for a single 6970. Ivy Bridge is staying on 1155, but with IB-e it could potentially change to a newer socket type. The best price/performance card out right now is either the 6850 or 6870, but 560 Ti performs much better in BF3 (anywhere from 5-10 fps increase over 6870 depending on resolution and other stuff)

Ivy Bridge-E will be LGA 2011, just like Sandy Bridge-E.

[Mighty Cow]

garrynohome posted:

Two 1GB 460s in SLI should outperform a 560 Ti 448.

Edited:



Ivy Bridge-E will be LGA 2011, just like Sandy Bridge-E.

What do you mean by E? Will all the ivys be 2011?

[Kaabii]

Mighty Cow posted:

What do you mean by E? Will all the ivys be 2011?

No. E is their enthusiast series. For the people who need power beyond the normal i7s. Gamers don't even need i7s in the first place so you don't even need to worry about it. Just get an Ivy Bridge i5 and an LGA 1155 motherboard with one of their Ivy Bridge designed chipsets when they launch in April.

[Mighty Cow]

garrynohome posted:

No. E is their enthusiast series. For the people who need power beyond the normal i7s. Gamers don't even need i7s in the first place so you don't even need to worry about it. Just get an Ivy Bridge i5 and an LGA 1155 motherboard with one of their Ivy Bridge designed chipsets when they launch in April.

Aha! Good. My H40 bracket isn't 2011 compatible, but works with 1155. I'm going to try and aim for the fastest i5, but what reviews and benchmarking sites say will ultimately determine what I buy.

[Kaabii]

Mighty Cow posted:

Aha! Good. My H40 bracket isn't 2011 compatible, but works with 1155. I'm going to try and aim for the fastest i5, but what reviews and benchmarking sites say will ultimately determine what I buy.

Why did you buy the H40 anyway? It's just barely better than the cheaper Hyper 212+ and I think it's actually worse than the 212 EVO.

[Mighty Cow]

garrynohome posted:

Why did you buy the H40 anyway? It's just barely better than the cheaper Hyper 212+ and I think it's actually worse than the 212 EVO.

Cause my processor was getting to 100c.. (dont ask) Corsair is a good brand, it was on sale, and I wanted something good. I've had this cpu upgrade in mind for a while now.. So I figured getting it would be easier knowing that anything is going to stay cool, rather than dealing with some crappy stock heatsinks.

[Mighty Cow]

garrynohome posted:

Why did you buy the H40 anyway? It's just barely better than the cheaper Hyper 212+ and I think it's actually worse than the 212 EVO.

One last question.. The Sandy Bridge price is sure to drop when Ivy launches. Should I stick to Ivy, or get the i5 2500k.

[pure.Joseph]

Mighty Cow posted:

One last question.. The Sandy Bridge price is sure to drop when Ivy launches. Should I stick to Ivy, or get the i5 2500k.

Wait in april to make your decision. Are you anywhere near a microcenter store? They do awesome bundle pricing. Basically RIGHT NOW, I can get an i5 2500K for 179.99 + tax and then a P8Z68-V at 134.99 + tax. ( mobo is 184.99-50$ )

Also, turn off the fans for your HDD. HDD's run best at around low - mid 30s. The fluid inside the motors / bearings are too dense when they are cold, increasing wear. Keep it below 50, and above 30 is your best bet.

What PSU do you have exactly? 550w is more than good enough for stock i5 2500k. With cpu and mobo, you're around 200w-250w under load, a gpu like the 560 will use maybe around 200w max, so that's around 500w give or take 10-15% from the wall. It's fine if you dont overclock.

[ferdam]

I think any good (Corsair, Zalman, Enermax etc) 500~550w PSU can support any Single GPU computer.

Mighty Cow posted:

One last question.. The Sandy Bridge price is sure to drop when Ivy launches. Should I stick to Ivy, or get the i5 2500k.

I wouldn't be so sure about the price drop due Ivy release, I don't think Intel is going to drop the price a lot if it's meant to happen, Ivy will have no market competition for a long time, so they probably won't be dropping prices so much.

[GoDong-DK]

ferdam posted:

I think any good (Corsair, Zalman, Enermax etc) 500~550w PSU can support any Single GPU computer.




I wouldn't be so sure about the price drop due Ivy release, I don't think Intel is going to drop the price a lot if it's meant to happen, Ivy will have no market competition for a long time, so they probably won't be dropping prices so much.

You could probably run a 7970 on a good 450W, and with some overclocking.

Wouldn't recommend it, though.

[pure.Joseph]

GoDong-DK posted:

You could probably run a 7970 on a good 450W, and with some overclocking.

Wouldn't recommend it, though.

Depends on his other parts.

[ferdam]

GoDong-DK posted:

You could probably run a 7970 on a good 450W, and with some overclocking.

Wouldn't recommend it, though.

Yeah, that's why I mentioned 500-550w PSU. If a 450w PSU can run some single GPU high end computer, anything better with more power should be able to run it fine and without any risks.