discussion New Mid-High gaming RIG, need opinions!

[lightninstrikr]

So newb question here since I haven't heard anything to state otherwise... can you Crossfire/SLI two different cards? Say I have the 570 and don't wan't/need a second card until the 580 has dropped significantly in price?

Or is that a big "no no" thing to do? I assume it's not the greatest even if possible but just wondering.

 

[Skippman]

I know AMD/ATI will allow you to Crossfire two different cards of the same CPU series (6850/6890, 6950/6990) but it will default to the lower GPU speed.

 

[lightninstrikr]

I know AMD/ATI will allow you to Crossfire two different cards of the same CPU series (6850/6890, 6950/6990) but it will default to the lower GPU speed.

So is it not worth it? Is it basically the same as getting another of the same card since it defaults to the lesser? (not taking into account things like memory cache and what not)

 

[Pabz0r545]

Definitely not worth it to buy a 580 and let it run at the speed of a 570. Did you read that article? It states 2 580s in SLI are needed to make the most of BF3's engine. And I'd say that's a pretty solid resource of info.

 

[lightninstrikr]

Definitely not worth it to buy a 580 and let it run at the speed of a 570. Did you read that article? It states 2 580s in SLI are needed to make the most of BF3's engine. And I'd say that's a pretty solid resource of info.

Yeah I did read it and found it interesting, I was more commenting on the practice in general then referrencing it to any one thing.

 

[JJThomp]

Honestly I would just forget about SLI/Crossfire... Buy the single best card you can find and then if you need an upgrade down the road you can sell it and buy a new card or you can pick up a second one for cheap. For now just pick up the best you can afford.

 

[NI3]

Nvidia requires 2 of the same cards. As for 560 running on ultra in the beta, ultra is the same as high, I believe. I agree with JJThomp, buy the fastest single you can now, sli later. Also, I am not sure you need an H50. A cheaper air cooler might do just fine. Keep the 16GB, unless the extra $50 makes you have a slower component somewhere else, like 560, vs 570, drop it down to 8GB, and get the faster component.

Here is a nice z68 motherboard. I looked around, and it seems to have a nice price, but still decent specs, overclocking, etc.
Micro Center - Gigabyte GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3 LGA 1155 Z68 ATX Intel Motherboard 525238

 

[keto]

I have that Gigabyte motherboard (v1.3). Has bios and voltage issues, I would not buy again and wish I had gone ASUS. That said, if you plan to NEVER EVER overclock it, it's a nice looking, nicely featured and very stable board and good value for money.

 

[yycraven]

there is this mobo on that site NI3 gave.
Micro Center - Gigabyte GA-Z68MA-D2H-B3 LGA 1155 Z68 mATX Intel Motherboard 484345

 

[keto]

there is this mobo on that site NI3 gave.
Micro Center - Gigabyte GA-Z68MA-D2H-B3 LGA 1155 Z68 mATX Intel Motherboard 484345

And that one has much less tweakability, specifically in the bios. It's 'plug n play' but others who own it complain about the lack of overclocking options.