Soo... I blew out a power supply and graphics card this weekend, so I am in the market for buying a new gpu, and probably going to upgrade to an i7. I think i have isolated the cpu and motherboard I will get, but I need some help choosing a graphics card. I plan only buying 1 GPU to start with, maybe doing SLI later.


CPU: i7 2600 OR i7 960
MB: Asus Saberttooth X58
GPU: ???

I need help picking out a gpu to use, as well as deciding which of these procs to go with. I have been out of the CPU hardware game for too long. I am trying to keep the cpu under 300, gpu under 250, and mobo under 200.

Additionally... is this high end of a processor needed to run ffxiv on max settings?

i7 2600k sandy are running for about 317 and hell they are good with 4 core and 8 HT on that chip.

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PS3 Friend list name: Pantherxx Wii code 1629-0463-4657-0263 (revised 9/28/07) Steam ID - Pantherxx010 62BLU 75PLD Reactived 7/5/10 I dare you Click this!

I upgraded from a Q8600 to an I7 2600k in my recent build. I only have it clocked at 3.8GHZ.

I convert video files regularly, which is a CPU hungry process. On my old comp that process alone would use 90%+ of my CPU and lag the entire computer. On my new comp it uses 30% of the CPU and converts much faster. FFXIV is a CPU hungry game (it’s built on a bad engine IMO) it would use 60% of my old CPU on standard settings. On my new comp it uses 20% on high settings at 1920X1080 resolution.

I’m pretty happy with the I7. The CPU handles a lot of processes. Multitasking is easier since my new comp doesn’t lag from CPU running at max. IMO spend the extra $30 and get a sandy bridge over the 960.

For GPU I would recommend a 560Ti if you are looking to spend less ($220ish). Get a sandy bridge and that GPU, and you can always buy an additional 560Ti for SLI in the future.

That card will run FFXIV no problem on pretty good settings (not max settings of course).

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Here Revised Version

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PS3 Friend list name: Pantherxx Wii code 1629-0463-4657-0263 (revised 9/28/07) Steam ID - Pantherxx010 62BLU 75PLD Reactived 7/5/10 I dare you Click this!

I revised my whole post. I missed he wanted spend less than 250 on a GPU.

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heh heh but 590 is overkill for sure on game and monies!

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PS3 Friend list name: Pantherxx Wii code 1629-0463-4657-0263 (revised 9/28/07) Steam ID - Pantherxx010 62BLU 75PLD Reactived 7/5/10 I dare you Click this!

Yeah after more research today it seems like the 560ti is my best bet. Now i just need to find someplace put the 2600k on sale.

Get an AMD 6970, unless you never need to minimize the game window.

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[In Yarr we trust.]

what do you plan on doing with this build besides gaming? Honestly, I wouldn't drop the extra $100-200 on the i7 and just get the i5 2500k. Spend the extra money on GPU

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Just gaming. I want to be able to run current and next gen game on med-high to high and don't want to feel like I need to upgrade until at least another 3-4 years go by.


I was going with the i7's purely for hyper threading. I was under the impression it is a sizable performance increase. Is that not accurate?

I did alot of research when I built my new computer, and from what I saw outside of video editing and other related things, it did nothing substantially better than the i5-2500k for gaming. Also, the i7's seem to put out more heat than the i5's.

If you want a little more performance out of your CPU, look into overclocking (assuming your getting an aftermarket cooler). I currently have my i5-2500k running at 4.6, and while it's probably more than I need, I couldn't be happier with it's performance.

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-Formerly Movien, greatest Beastmaster evah

I am currently running an e8500 and 8800 gts, just installed bf3... all settings set to low and it's unplayable... lol. Pretty sad to be honest, considering buying a graphics card this weekend.

IS the 570 worth the extra 100 dollars over the 560 ti? Im not sure i even understand what is different between the two cards.

Technically speaking it is 100 more cores and 256mb more memory... but what does that equate to performance wise?

i7 2600k with 4 core at 3.4Ghz plus 8 HT is worth it!

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PS3 Friend list name: Pantherxx Wii code 1629-0463-4657-0263 (revised 9/28/07) Steam ID - Pantherxx010 62BLU 75PLD Reactived 7/5/10 I dare you Click this!

lol no it's not, not for gaming. I can show you what my performance is like while playing XIV or BF3 and show you that hardly any of my the cores in my i5-750 get maxed out or close to it.

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[In Yarr we trust.]

So i have considered switching gears and going with AMD over intel to save money on the proc. Intel at least has an easy comparison system on their website, not so much for AMD. Can anyone recommend a proc?

AMD for life.

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My first dual core was amd, but I am in familiar with the technology nw. Do you have a suggestion Che? Seems like there is not a single CPU over 200 made my amd

core i5-2500k - EOT.

seriously, this processor beats any AMD proc consistently in benchmarks, even the hexacore AMDs. If you are seriously going to consider AMD, wait for whatever is after Bulldozer

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I put a phenom ii quad core in Armani's computer. Not sure how it handles. I really like my i5-750 though. But get an AMD GPU for reals.

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[In Yarr we trust.]

! had my 5+ year old MB go out on me yesterday so no pc gaming for me until after black friday see y'all then.

If anyone was in the market for a 560 ti new egg has them on sale with a 40 mrb and free copy of bf3 and arkham

I'll raise you free Deus Ex with AMD cards :P

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[In Yarr we trust.]

new egg also has a great deal on a 60 gb SSD for 89$, and 2x4gb 1600 for 29$!