Maximum PC

Reading some of the posts here and doing additional reading on MaximumPC as well as some brand X sites, I have been learning about putting cards in SLI configuration as well as some of the ins-and-outs of video cards. What I have learned is this:
1. not all cards with the same chipsets are equal
2. not all games play well with SLI'ed cards
3. getting multiple cards into SLI configuration and making them perform together can have some challenges
4. buy the best card you can afford

With these things in mind, I am thinking of a couple of things with regard to the new build I am doing. First, Because of #'s 2 and 3 above, I believe the best way to go is a single card. The three top contenders are the GTX 560 Ti, GTX 570, and GTX 580. The GTX 590 is (a) above just about everyone's reasonable price range and (b) unavailable on the market; therefore not a consideration. Prices on the GTX 580 are still quite high, but you can pick one up with rebates in the mid-$400 range or less these days for a reference card and about $30 more for one already OC'd.

I have been reading that the GTX 570 may not be as efficient as the GTX 580 (noise, heat, and speed), but it is still a darn fine card plus it is about $100 less expensive. In addition, if I ever do have a thought of putting two cards in SLI, the GTX 570 is going to be lower priced and fit my budget a whole lot sooner than the GTX 580. Regardless, if I am going to start with a single card and play games with it, doesn't paying some extra for the GTX 580 make better sense? Let me know your thoughts. At this point I am overthinking this and need to get an outside opinion.

Thanks
Whistler

As per #4, can you afford it? If so, go for it! If not, go for the 570.

Yeah, that's really what it comes down to, isn't it? I'll have to see what the bank account looks like when I get there. Thanks noghiri_x.
Whistler

i agree, in any case of making a purchase for computer parts, what it comes down to is your bankroll. how much are you welling to spend?
i mean, 580's are damn sweet but they're not too affordable of a price.

but i can tell you that my friend busted his wallet buying the Galaxy GTX 580's and tells me that he got what he wanted and has no regrets.
so you will get your money's worth from spending money.
http://www.eio.com/p-31552-galaxy-58nlh ... -card.aspx

but as for #4, if you cant afford it, 570 probably would be the best buy for you.
http://www.eio.com/p-31548-galaxy-57nkh ... -card.aspx
http://www.eio.com/p-31551-galaxy-57nkh ... -card.aspx

You know, Galaxy is not that reliable. They try to make the cheapest cards, and thus skimp on the cooling and the reliability stuff. I have had to underclock mine to get rid of the artifacts on a REFERENCE design.

Okay, so if the Galaxy is not that reliable in a GTX 570, what is?
Whistler

Look for a good warranty (lifetime or double lifetime) and read reviews (check newegg). Can't go wrong with XFX, EVGA, Asus, Gigabyte, just to name a few....

Thanks Silverbullet. I ended up making a selection yesterday. I chose the EVGA SuperClocked 012-P3-1573-AR GeForce GTX 570 HD. After looking through the reviews and reading as much as I could find, I figured out that I wanted the Lifetime warranty on a card that was already overclocked. Hard to go wrong with that combination. The MIR of $30 made the decision that much easier.

Thanks for your input.
Whistler

Yeah, I wish all products would be like that. I was so relieved when yesterday I opened the shipping box to find a "Seven year warranty" pledge on the outside of the box, PC Power and Cooling 950 Watt MkII PSU. I believe I was similarly relieved earlier this year when I opened up my GTX 580 and saw those words.

Funny...the warranties are only as good as the longevity of the trading companies associated with the products. If the brand is not established or no one in the industry can figure out how they can stay in business selling as cheap as they do, then they probably won't last. There's not much of an opportunity for relief from a bankruptcy court.

Having worked in high tech for a lot of years, you realize tech is change. Someone may develop 'Lightning in a Bottle', but in six months you need to develop 'Lightning in a Bottle Plus' and have it on the shelves for Black Friday or your competitors will eat your lunch and market share.
Whistler

Luckily @SilverBullet recommended some quality, well-established brands then, huh?

EVGA is good, both with quality and warranty.

Yup. Based upon the comments from end-user posts on several sites as well as specs I am very happy with the EVGA.
Whistler

I love EVGA, I just wished they also made AMD cards since i broke out of the family with the 5870 and regret it (although I do love my 5870, but every single card before it was an nvidia and mostly evga with one or two BFG's).

years ago, evga asked for an amd license and was turned down, the reason, amd wanted to support their existing manufacturers and not add competition, granted this was in a time when the market was down for everyone. i will bet they regret their decision now.

wondering, how can you love it and regret it at the same time.

Love it cause its fast and supports triple monitor, plus $100 cheaper than 480gtx at the time.

regret it since it doesn't have CUDA and OpenCL support on Adobe products is "still in the works". I want to experience almost instant pre-rendering times in premier pro. Also, the only stable driver on my pc has been the stock ones that came with it, august 2010...

yeah, they have never had good driver support, one of the reasons my last ati was a 1950xts, just liked the direction nvidia was going back then, have not been disappointed.

nVidia releases a driver once a quarter at the latest.