how much power is needed for this config??

[reardoma]

Dear Community,


I am a fan of building my own desktops, and it's about time to replace the one i built many many years ago, when i splurged to get an HT intel p4 processor....


So I have 2 monitors currently, a 1920x1080 ViewSonic and 1680x1050 Acer, both 22"

I am in the processor of picking my parts for a new desktop to build, but am unfamiliar with the requirements for dual monitors...I've searched the forum and gotten tons of good advice, but I'd like to ask 2 questions to the all the gurus out there.....


1. I'm looking for a <$300 graphics card to run with a intel sandy bridge processor that is capable of running demanding FPS games and statistical software... on both monitors simultaneously. With my budget in mind, and games like Black Ops in hand, are there any standouts in the current market or soon to be (possibly debuted at CES)?


2. After choosing such a graphics card, processor, etc... what would be an adequate power supply? are we talking 700+ w here? I'd like to be safe rather than sorry when it comes to performance and power, so with the little info I've given (please ask for more details on whatever specs you may additionally need) what would be a ballpark PSU #?



Thank you in advance for making a noob feel welcome, look forward to your responses.....

 

[Ishu Gupta]

Graphic card - HD6950 2GB.
Power Supply - Seasonic S12D 620W or Corsair VX550W.

 

[vickybat]

Gtx 560 1gb. check out msi twin frozr edition which is factory overclocked. More powerful than 6950 1gb & costs the same as a stock gtx 560.

 

[Ishu Gupta]

Yep another good option.

 

[reardoma]

Thanks for the help......got one more for you....


in your opinions, are there cards coming out in the near future that would be "worth the wait" or are things regular enough in the industry that it's the traditional "buy it if you need it" ? ?

 

[Ishu Gupta]

The cards we suggested came this week. So they are as new as you can get 'em.

 

[S_V]

I'd like to be safe rather than sorry when it comes to performance and power, so with the little info I've given (please ask for more details on whatever specs you may additionally need) what would be a ballpark PSU #?

Which place you are located?

My request is to get Seasonic X 650 Gold... It's totally safe and stunning quality with future proof....

 

[modder]

Hey reardoma, this article provides info about the new NV GTX 560 vs. ATI HD6950/70 1GB/2GB, few benchmarks/Wattage ratings/etc.

AMD’s GTX 560 Ti Counter-Offensive: Radeon HD 6950 1GB & XFX’s Radeon HD 6870 Black Edition (Source: AnandTech)

but am unfamiliar with the requirements for dual monitors

A good card with dual-link DVI is the basic requirement.

IMO ATI HD6950 2GB + eye-infinity would be better for dual-display setup. But if you want to take advantage of improved tessellation algorithm in case of new GF114 based GFX go for GTX 560 1GB/2GB.

One more thing, ATI HD6950 2GB's VBIOS can be flashed with HD6970 2GB's VBIOS (easily available @techpowerup) in order to get 6970's performance. You can undo this anytime, with the flip of a switch, thanks to its backup/dual VBIOS. Only con of this procedure is increased temp. and wattage as opposed to 6970 (see the original article for more info).

 

[Jaskanwar Singh]

GTX560 when overclocked performs close to a 570. so get a EVGA Superclocked 560.
get Newegg.com - EVGA SuperClocked 01G-P3-1563-AR GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

will you set up multi gpu later? mention other system components too.

 

[Ishu Gupta]

IMO he should go for HD6950 2GB as the extra VRAM really helps on higher res (More than 1080p & eyefinity). What do you say?

 

[Piyush]

^^better option IMO

 

[Jaskanwar Singh]

dual monitors setup not a problem. but yes 2GB frame buffer is good advantage. nice point there.

 

[vickybat]

GTX560 when overclocked performs close to a 570. so get a EVGA Superclocked 560.
get Newegg.com - EVGA SuperClocked 01G-P3-1563-AR GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

will you set up multi gpu later? mention other system components too.

Good suggestion here. An overclocked gtx 560 outperforms a 6950. These also come with better coolers than the refference and can be overclocked further.