I like upgrading once every few years, so the new hardware isn’t too expensive, yet makes the old stuff run screaming for its mommy.
A revised list. Was curious of a lower watt PSU that some people here may have? 850 at least tough. Along with 120mm fans that are near dead silent while at least running at 75%?
1x- SILVERSTONE TJ10-B Black Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case: $[COLOR=‘Red’]299.99
7x- SILVERSTONE FN121 120mm Case Fan: $[COLOR=‘Red’]69.93
1x- EVGA E760 CLASSIFIED “Overclocker’s Pick” 3-Way SLI + PhysX 1366 Intel X58 EATX Intel Motherboard: $[COLOR=‘Red’]389.99
2x- BIOSTAR VA5855NPG2 Radeon HD 5850 1GB 256-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card w/ Eyefinity: $[COLOR=‘Red’]599.98
1x- CORSAIR HX Series CMPSU-1000HX 1000W ATX12V 2.2: $[COLOR=‘Red’]229.99
1x- Intel Core i7-930 Bloomfield 2.8GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80601930: $[COLOR=‘Red’]289.99
2x- CORSAIR DOMINATOR-GT 6GB (3 x 2Gb) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866 Desktop Memory Model CMT6GX3M3A1866C9: $[COLOR=‘Red’]459.98
2x- Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive: $[COLOR=‘Red’]189.98
3x- ASUS VW266H Black 25.5" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor: $[COLOR=‘Red’]869.97
1x- Microsoft Windows 7 Professional Full: $[COLOR=‘Red’]254.80
1x- Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound: $[COLOR=‘Red’]9.99
1x- Prolimatech Megahalems Rev.B CPU Cooler: $[COLOR=‘Red’]62.00
[align=center]Subtotal: $[COLOR=‘Red’]3,726.59[/align][/SIZE]
i have a Corsair HX 750 (850 would benefit if you needed) but they are beautifully boxed packaged, nice bag for cables, a honour to hold in your hand install perfectly and are beautifully created.
only down side in the PCI-E cable, only 4 in total, modular supply, fine for ATi card though if your only crossfireing two.
There are a few recently released atm. it wont do for my next build though, i plan to go ALL out on my next build. ill need more then a 1000watt cause itll bottle out.
Also victus, im buying a 5870 then maybe another later. for that little extra punch you may want to consider it aswell, i know helped convince you with 5850 but, well, you know…
closest so far, but i find GPU is the HARDEST hardware part to decide on.
Should I just stick with the Corsair 1000w then?
Which 5870 are you looking at? 1GB or 2GB?
You can most likely XFire 2 5870’s with an 850, I’d say. I’ll check in a moment.
EDIT: The minimum for one 5870 is a 500W PSU, which gives a bit of leeway, you most likely COULD use an 850W PSU, but I’d go for at least 900, maybe 1000.
I’m not getting the 5870s. Would boost the price to $4500. Trying to keep the PC and shipping at or under $4000. I’ll leave things where they’re at unless I can get the same/better performance for cheaper.
I theoretically could drop 6GBs of memory to compensate for the cost increase on the cards. Would 1GB memory in each card outweigh an additional 6GBs of memory?
This is a hard question to answer, the memory of 1GB vs 2GB is more about display resolution, ie.
My Asus 5870 1GB
Vs.
Your 5870 2GB
- Vram over 1gb makes little difference below 2560x1600 -
on Average our cards difference will be 3fps
2GB models are only useful for 3 screen setups+ hence the eyefinity.
and three monitor setups are annoying and dont look as pretty as one nice HD screen.
This may help decesion making also (stolen) : 5850 v 5870 1GB
Hmm. Well, I do plan on doing the three screen set up still. Not to mention, those marks are only one card yeah? So 2x = at least another 20FPS or so average. And I realize that while I may have the bezels on a three screen setup, it’s main purpose is for multitasking while I do design work. I GUESS, I could always get 2 5870 2GB, drop my 2 extra monitors for now to compensate the price increase.
Do you think the 2x 5850s on a 5760x1200 resolution could pump at least 30 frames in Crysis on enthusiast settings with what else I have in the line up?
EDIT:
Just saw this through Newegg on Facebook.
ASUS ARES 5870
No way am I getting it, it’s 1400 for the damn thing. I’m also revising my list a bit, again.
EDIT: Yeah, I saw the benchmarks. I think what I’m going to do overall, is drop the 2 extra screens until they become necessary. Since native reso is 1920x1200. Probably going to drop 6GBs of memory as well. Though I’ll still keep the 2x 5850s.
1x SILVERSTONE ST1000-P 1000W ATX 12V v2.3 & EPS 12V 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply: $[COLOR=‘Red’]189.99
1x ASUS Rampage III Extreme LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard: $[COLOR=‘Red’]359.99
1x Corsair Obsidian Series 700D CC700D Black Aluminum / Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case: $[COLOR=‘Red’]219.99
[align=center]New Total: $[COLOR=‘Red’]3,576.59 Without 2x screens/6GB memory: $[COLOR=‘Red’]2,766.62[/align][/SIZE]
Why do you want such an expensive case?
Beats out the TJ10 by $100, and the airflow/cable management is a key aspect of mine.
Or you could save yourself hundreds and just do this:
No need to thank me, just give me the money you won’t be spending on the stupidly expensive case.
Or I just buy the case that looks sexy?
It is really for the style. 
Don’t make me bring my camera home and show you MY desktop. It is the epitome of style.
Well now that you said it. I think you’re gonna have to.
EDIT: Final composed list [Pardon the image, but I’m too lazy to format my posts again.]
Prepare to gaze upon your maker.
I believe this is what you are looking for OP.
NOT EXPENSIVE ENOUGH!!
I like how a lot of the stuff the OP is buying will probably be half as expensive in a few months when stuff has gotten only like 10% more powerful.