Looking to max the next 2-3 years...

I have always been a console gamer aside from occasionally playing TF2 and some RTS games, but since the next-gen of consoles doesn't look like happening anytime soon...I think its time for a real switch. My budget is around $1000-1200 CDN and I want my setup to play games close to max settings for the next 2-3 years...is that possible with my budget?

I don't wanna be turning off or decreasing shadows/AA etc...might as well stick with consoles than lol. Mainly interested in games like GTA5, ARMA3, FarCry3, Total War series.

Haven't built a computer before so I appreciate any suggestions. Here is what I was looking at:

Barebones Kit: Intel Core i5-2500K CPU, Corsair 8GB DDR3 RAM, Seagate 1TB HDD, Sony 24x DVDRW, MSI Raptor Mid Tower, Ultra 550-Watt Power Supply LINK

GPU: GTX 560 Ti ($230) or GTX 570 ($285) or MAYBE GTX 670 2GB ($400)

Some questions: Is my power supply good enough for the above cards? Is that i5 future proof and is the 670 worth the $150-200 extra? And if i wait another 2-3 months will there be any major price drop in the GPU market?

thanx

With up to 3 years you certainly need a GTX 670 by far!

newegg.ca instead the prices seem cheaper.

Go for ivy 3570k i5, better longevity for pcie 3, higher bandwidth ~ better performance for graphics card down the road.

Im strongly against building a computer and not touching it for 2-3 years. Its more cost effective to spend less on the gpu like 7850 b.c is cheaper to crossfire and you are also less bounded on the gpu from paying less. Im also saying this is because is your first time with pc and I think a midrange will already wow you to bits if you plugin to the an hdtv over 360/ps3. I'd prefer swapping out the gpu 1-2 years if possible instead of trying to hang for too long but thats just me.

newegg.ca instead the prices seem cheaper.

Go for ivy 3570k i5, better longevity for pcie 3, higher bandwidth ~ better performance for graphics card down the road.

Im strongly against building a computer and not touching it for 2-3 years. Its more cost effective to spend less on the gpu like 7850 b.c is cheaper to crossfire and you are also less bounded on the gpu from paying less. Im also saying this is because is your first time with pc and I think a midrange will already wow you to bits if you plugin to the an hdtv over 360/ps3. I'd prefer swapping out the gpu 1-2 years if possible instead of trying to hang for too long but thats just me.

Bikouchu35

ok thanx...I am not in any hurry right now, is waiting till the end of summer gonna effect the price in a significant way or should I just order it?

Oh yeah I forgot to mention get a corsair or antec psu. At least 500w, 750w for dual cards.

PC is always a waiting game, there maybe a random uber deal for a couple days, and price drops every few months. So if you are going to wait than you are going to wait forever, the new cards just came out in March/April plus the ivy bridge this past month so is great time to splurge already.

If you insist on not touching the system than go for the gtx 670 by all means. If you like to upgrade gradually than 7850 is the best bang for buck card.

Oh yeah I forgot to mention get a corsair or antec psu. At least 500w, 750w for dual cards.

PC is always a waiting game, there maybe a random uber deal for a couple days, and price drops every few months. So if you are going to wait than you are going to wait forever, the new cards just came out in March/April plus the ivy bridge this past month so is great time to splurge already.

If you insist on not touching the system than go for the gtx 670 by all means. If you like to upgrade gradually than 7850 is the best bang for buck card.

Bikouchu35

The GTX 560 Ti is roughly the same price as the 7850...is the 7850 better than that performance wise?

[QUOTE="Bikouchu35"]

Oh yeah I forgot to mention get a corsair or antec psu. At least 500w, 750w for dual cards.

PC is always a waiting game, there maybe a random uber deal for a couple days, and price drops every few months. So if you are going to wait than you are going to wait forever, the new cards just came out in March/April plus the ivy bridge this past month so is great time to splurge already.

If you insist on not touching the system than go for the gtx 670 by all means. If you like to upgrade gradually than 7850 is the best bang for buck card.

Aftermath91

The GTX 560 Ti is roughly the same price as the 7850...is the 7850 better than that performance wise?

For this I can say the old saying, newer is indeed better for almost the same price. You are going to need 2gb vram for bf3.

Get a 670 2gb and you will be fine

quick question about the 670, in this link there are 9 different versions, is there any real difference in between these? I only have basic knowledge about overclocking, and what do names like Galaxy, Zotac, EVGA, MSi have to do with the specfications?

quick question about the 670, in this link there are 9 different versions, is there any real difference in between these? I only have basic knowledge about overclocking, and what do names like Galaxy, Zotac, EVGA, MSi have to do with the specfications?

Aftermath91

Gigabyte 3 fan. The rest are the same reference coolers.

[QUOTE="Aftermath91"]

quick question about the 670, in this link there are 9 different versions, is there any real difference in between these? I only have basic knowledge about overclocking, and what do names like Galaxy, Zotac, EVGA, MSi have to do with the specfications?

Bikouchu35

Gigabyte 3 fan. The rest are the same reference coolers.

[QUOTE="Bikouchu35"]

[QUOTE="Aftermath91"]

quick question about the 670, in this link there are 9 different versions, is there any real difference in between these? I only have basic knowledge about overclocking, and what do names like Galaxy, Zotac, EVGA, MSi have to do with the specfications?

Aftermath91

Gigabyte 3 fan. The rest are the same reference coolers.

I came across this benchmark in which the 570 beats the 7850 in a few games by 8-12 fps...wouldn't it make more sense to get a 570? as NVIDIA cards also have better drivers (from what I have read).

I have always been a console gamer aside from occasionally playing TF2 and some RTS games, but since the next-gen of consoles doesn't look like happening anytime soon...I think its time for a real switch. My budget is around $1000-1200 CDN and I want my setup to play games close to max settings for the next 2-3 years...is that possible with my budget?

I don't wanna be turning off or decreasing shadows/AA etc...might as well stick with consoles than lol. Mainly interested in games like GTA5, ARMA3, FarCry3, Total War series.

Haven't built a computer before so I appreciate any suggestions. Here is what I was looking at:

Barebones Kit: Intel Core i5-2500K CPU, Corsair 8GB DDR3 RAM, Seagate 1TB HDD, Sony 24x DVDRW, MSI Raptor Mid Tower, Ultra 550-Watt Power Supply LINK

GPU: GTX 560 Ti ($230) or GTX 570 ($285) or MAYBE GTX 670 2GB ($400)

Some questions: Is my power supply good enough for the above cards? Is that i5 future proof and is the 670 worth the $150-200 extra? And if i wait another 2-3 months will there be any major price drop in the GPU market?

thanx

Aftermath91

That's a pretty nice kit.

I'd go for the lower card (560Ti) only because I'd be worried that 550 watt PS couldn't drive the newer video cards at peak load along with all the other schit thart's in the case.

For the next 2-3 years, that'll be so far over and above your 360, it won't matter if you have to drop a few sliders later on.

Now whether GTA V will be well optimized or run like a piece of schit...that's a difficult question.

Looking at the specs of the WiiU and how it will be the lowest common denominator for multiplats, I think software is going to be pretty much stagnation for the rest of our lifetimes.

I feel sick now looking all this time. Just dont no what to go for. :(

I feel sick now looking all this time. Just dont no what to go for. :(

skipper847

Hey now, don't get anxious.

When in doubt, just go low budget.

You can always make little upgrades later, it doesn't cost much.

Half the battle is waiting for price drops.

I have always been a console gamer aside from occasionally playing TF2 and some RTS games, but since the next-gen of consoles doesn't look like happening anytime soon...I think its time for a real switch. My budget is around $1000-1200 CDN and I want my setup to play games close to max settings for the next 2-3 years...is that possible with my budget?

I don't wanna be turning off or decreasing shadows/AA etc...might as well stick with consoles than lol. Mainly interested in games like GTA5, ARMA3, FarCry3, Total War series.

Haven't built a computer before so I appreciate any suggestions. Here is what I was looking at:

Barebones Kit: Intel Core i5-2500K CPU, Corsair 8GB DDR3 RAM, Seagate 1TB HDD, Sony 24x DVDRW, MSI Raptor Mid Tower, Ultra 550-Watt Power Supply LINK

GPU: GTX 560 Ti ($230) or GTX 570 ($285) or MAYBE GTX 670 2GB ($400)

Some questions: Is my power supply good enough for the above cards? Is that i5 future proof and is the 670 worth the $150-200 extra? And if i wait another 2-3 months will there be any major price drop in the GPU market?

thanx

Aftermath91

Thanks everyone, got a final decision to make...go with a 7850 and eventually crossfire after a year or a 670. The only thing I am worried about is if crossfire will give me compatibility/driver issues with new games.