Before I pull the trigger... any concerns/recommendations?
Looking at the hardware list, i'd go with the XFX 750 PSU instead of the Earthwatts 650, I personally don't like Gskill RAM, (had one problem with them a few years ago, got nowhere with their support) so I'd go with a different brand, but definitely 1333 speed, I also don't like PNY video products...again, one bad experience left me with a bad taste. I haven't been impressed with Antec's cases lately. I MUCH prefer the CoolerMaster HAF cases. I just built a new PC with the HAF 932...great build quality, more room than I'll ever need, excellent air flow.
you could get this combo. I really like my UD3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.575883
EDIT: I really don't recommend SLI
switched to that combo.
also switched to a HAF 922.
debating the jump to an XFX 750, big price jump.
however, the PNY is getting lots of hate.. what card should I get instead?
I bought an EVGA GTX460 for my new build. I'm happy with it.
evga 570 out of stock...how bad is the PNY? :x
This is probably an irrelevant comment since the GTX 570 you are getting is powerful. But, note that the motherboard you are getting will allow you to SLI, but the Antec 650 PSU only has 2 PCI-E express power connectors. Even 1 GTX 460 requires both, so to SLI 2 GTX 460s you would have to have 4. On the AMD side, anything above a HD 6850 requires 2 PCI-E as well.
Now, I know there are adapters that take other power connectors from your PSU and convert them into 6 pin PCI-E, but is that safe? I don't know, I'd make sure someone more specifically versed in this than me answers that for you. Otherwise you may consider trying to move up to a 750 watt or higher PSU with 4 PCI-E power connectors.
Of course, if you've decided to forego SLI entirely, none of this matters.
Alright... finally, since I'm not getting an H70 cooling or anything, should I fill up the case (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119197) - HAF 922 fan slots? i.e. additional 200mm on the side?
This is probably an irrelevant comment since the GTX 570 you are getting is powerful. But, note that the motherboard you are getting will allow you to SLI, but the Antec 650 PSU only has 2 PCI-E express power connectors. Even 1 GTX 460 requires both, so to SLI 2 GTX 460s you would have to have 4. On the AMD side, anything above a HD 6850 requires 2 PCI-E as well.
Now, I know there are adapters that take other power connectors from your PSU and convert them into 6 pin PCI-E, but is that safe? I don't know, I'd make sure someone more specifically versed in this than me answers that for you. Otherwise you may consider trying to move up to a 750 watt or higher PSU with 4 PCI-E power connectors.
Of course, if you've decided to forego SLI entirely, none of this matters.
GTX570 is a solid card, comparable with newer 6950, but with the latter at only $300....
One tidbit of possible interest to tinkerers/enthusiasts is that many reflash their 6950 to 6970 BIOS successfully, where it now rivals the $550 GTX580.... (multiple samples of multiple models reflashed, zero failures in a 10-20 unit test sampling....)
Flashed 6950's beat a 570 but i dont think a 580, it might get within 10% tho.
It's up to you, i would for saving 50 bucks but they are almost equal, the 6970's and 570's trade blows in most benches
I also run apps like 3D Studio Max and Adobe CS/ Premiere.
Ditch the idea of an ATI card. First off, flashing a new 6950 will void any warranty.
You can get an EVGA or BFG GTX 470 which is a great card for the price, plus has a lifetime warranty, and your 3D apps will eat up the CUDA processing NVidia cards have. Also the Adobe apps are now taking advantage of CUDA as well. Plus you're getting PhysX & DX11. 2x of those will cost less than 1 GTX 580 and out perform it as well. On a good day you can find them for under $250 each.
As for the Antec 650, actually you can run SLI with that PSU no problem. The PSU itself only has 2x PCI-E connectors, you can get a couple of molex to PCI-E power adapters. Antec's 650 is well within wattage specs for something like dual GTX 460's or 470's.
There's also something out there called a power booster that gives an extra 450W's of power on two additional PCI-E rails only. It's a separate device that can be added to any power supply or configuration. Newegg has them for about $25.
Whatever video card you go with, get EVGA or BFG. Both companies are excellent to work with, and both offer lifetime warranties on most products. PNY is horrible to deal with for support/repair, and just try getting a hold of a real person at XFX. I don't even think they have a phone number!!!!
I also run apps like 3D Studio Max and Adobe CS/ Premiere.
Ditch the idea of an ATI card. First off, flashing a new 6950 will void any warranty.
You can get an EVGA or BFG GTX 470 which is a great card for the price, plus has a lifetime warranty, and your 3D apps will eat up the CUDA processing NVidia cards have. Also the Adobe apps are now taking advantage of CUDA as well. Plus you're getting PhysX & DX11. 2x of those will cost less than 1 GTX 580 and out perform it as well. On a good day you can find them for under $250 each.
As for the Antec 650, actually you can run SLI with that PSU no problem. The PSU itself only has 2x PCI-E connectors, you can get a couple of molex to PCI-E power adapters. Antec's 650 is well within wattage specs for something like dual GTX 460's or 470's.
There's also something out there called a power booster that gives an extra 450W's of power on two additional PCI-E rails only. It's a separate device that can be added to any power supply or configuration. Newegg has them for about $25.
Whatever video card you go with, get EVGA or BFG. Both companies are excellent to work with, and both offer lifetime warranties on most products. PNY is horrible to deal with for support/repair, and just try getting a hold of a real person at XFX. I don't even think they have a phone number!!!!
It's fine IMHO. At work, we only buy PNY Quadros and they've always been good.
Of course the Quatro's are good, because PNY is the exclusive manufacturer for NVidia for those cards. The rest of PNY's line up is horrible. It's mostly their poor customer service, but their cards tend to come in DOA or die in a much shorter time than they should.
You're really going with Samsung HD's????
It's fine IMHO. At work, we only buy PNY Quadros and they've always been good.
Of course the Quatro's are good, because PNY is the exclusive manufacturer for NVidia for those cards. The rest of PNY's line up is horrible. It's mostly their poor customer service, but their cards tend to come in DOA or die in a much shorter time than they should.
You're really going with Samsung HD's????
This is my first build :| what would you recommend instead?