3d Gamer looking to upgrade my quad core 6600 w Nvidea 480 to i7-Slu Dual 480's. Please help me
I am a heavy gamer 3d/gamer who is upgrading my current computer. Since using nvidea 3d technology is HEAVY on fram rates from creaing 2x images on the screen, I want a lot of horsepower. My goal is mainly to have DUAL Nvidea 480 graphics cards using SLI technology and I don't believe my 2 year old quad core 6600 has 2 pci express slots for 2 graphics cards.

-- I currently am using a 6600 Quad core with 6 gig ram, 64 bit vista, 1000 watt power supply, 750 gig hard drive or so, and a Nvidea 480 graphics card.

The only "additional" pieces I need to get to my goal are a motherboard with 2 Pci Express slots for 2 cards ( I would love to have a space in between my graphics cards since they will get hot), an SLI "connector thing" to connect my two graphics cards, the processor to sit on top of the motherboard, and some ram to work with the new motherboard.

-- What should I buy? A simple package with a motherboard with the Graphics cards slots needed, an i7 (since I'm getting a new motherboard I may as well get the better processor) processor that will work well for gaming already installed on top, one more Nvidea 480, maybe 10 gig of ram or so, and an sli connector. I could then just "add" my current hard drive, disk drive, and 1000 watt power supply correct?



I would love to just have that shipped to me in a box semi-ready to go and all i have to do is connect the two 480's, install my current hard drive to the new motherboard, throw in the power supply and call it a day. Isn't there some easy way for me to get a desktop in a box with what i need sent to me from New-egg or something?

Please advise and include specifics. I am a heavy gamer but only a somewhat savy computer guy. Thanks!!!
I am a heavy gamer 3d/gamer who is upgrading my current computer. Since using nvidea 3d technology is HEAVY on fram rates from creaing 2x images on the screen, I want a lot of horsepower. My goal is mainly to have DUAL Nvidea 480 graphics cards using SLI technology and I don't believe my 2 year old quad core 6600 has 2 pci express slots for 2 graphics cards.



-- I currently am using a 6600 Quad core with 6 gig ram, 64 bit vista, 1000 watt power supply, 750 gig hard drive or so, and a Nvidea 480 graphics card.



The only "additional" pieces I need to get to my goal are a motherboard with 2 Pci Express slots for 2 cards ( I would love to have a space in between my graphics cards since they will get hot), an SLI "connector thing" to connect my two graphics cards, the processor to sit on top of the motherboard, and some ram to work with the new motherboard.



-- What should I buy? A simple package with a motherboard with the Graphics cards slots needed, an i7 (since I'm getting a new motherboard I may as well get the better processor) processor that will work well for gaming already installed on top, one more Nvidea 480, maybe 10 gig of ram or so, and an sli connector. I could then just "add" my current hard drive, disk drive, and 1000 watt power supply correct?







I would love to just have that shipped to me in a box semi-ready to go and all i have to do is connect the two 480's, install my current hard drive to the new motherboard, throw in the power supply and call it a day. Isn't there some easy way for me to get a desktop in a box with what i need sent to me from New-egg or something?



Please advise and include specifics. I am a heavy gamer but only a somewhat savy computer guy. Thanks!!!

#1
Posted 06/08/2010 10:09 PM   
This probably doesn't help you very much, as I'm in the exact same boat as you (currently looking to upgrade my Q6600 to an i7).

An i7 motherboard will have (usually) 6 slots for ddr3 ram. This is so that you can run tri-channel memory. However, from what I've read, it is generally best practice to just fill 3 of those 6 slots with ram. You'll probably want 3x 2GB sticks and so that will leave you with 6GB of ram total. I don't know which games use more than 6GB of ram, but I don't think its very many (could be totally wrong...). Or I guess you could always shoot for 12GB, but I'd make sure its one of the two (6GB or 12GB). I'd prefer lower latency 6GB to 12GB of higher latency any day.
This probably doesn't help you very much, as I'm in the exact same boat as you (currently looking to upgrade my Q6600 to an i7).



An i7 motherboard will have (usually) 6 slots for ddr3 ram. This is so that you can run tri-channel memory. However, from what I've read, it is generally best practice to just fill 3 of those 6 slots with ram. You'll probably want 3x 2GB sticks and so that will leave you with 6GB of ram total. I don't know which games use more than 6GB of ram, but I don't think its very many (could be totally wrong...). Or I guess you could always shoot for 12GB, but I'd make sure its one of the two (6GB or 12GB). I'd prefer lower latency 6GB to 12GB of higher latency any day.

#2
Posted 06/08/2010 10:27 PM   
i would go with atleast an i7 920 or 930
and at least one of these motherboards
[url="http://www.evga.com/products/prodlist.asp?switch=5"]http://www.evga.com/products/prodlist.asp?switch=5[/url]
i am partial to corsair ram.....look in sig....
make sure your case has good air flow...
1000w should be enough if it is a quality psu
the sli connector will come with your mother board

if u buy over the counter....lots of places have techs that will place your cpu and ram on your motherboard and make sure it posts before u leave the store....then all u have to do is place it in the case....hook power to it and slap in the 480's
i would go with atleast an i7 920 or 930

and at least one of these motherboards

http://www.evga.com/products/prodlist.asp?switch=5

i am partial to corsair ram.....look in sig....

make sure your case has good air flow...

1000w should be enough if it is a quality psu

the sli connector will come with your mother board



if u buy over the counter....lots of places have techs that will place your cpu and ram on your motherboard and make sure it posts before u leave the store....then all u have to do is place it in the case....hook power to it and slap in the 480's

intel i7 960
asus p6x58d premium
antec 1200 case
antec quattro 1200w psu
corsair xms dominator 1600 12 gig
2x intel x25-m 80 gig ssd
lg blu ray/dvd burner
23.6" acer 120hz
nvidia 3d vision
liquid cooled by koolance (custom)
windows 7 ultimate
G19---habu--razer nasa
2x EVGA gtx 480 hydro FTW

#3
Posted 06/08/2010 10:28 PM   
[quote name='ECEXCURSION' post='1070418' date='Jun 8 2010, 04:27 PM']This probably doesn't help you very much, as I'm in the exact same boat as you (currently looking to upgrade my Q6600 to an i7).

An i7 motherboard will have (usually) 6 slots for ddr3 ram. This is so that you can run tri-channel memory. However, from what I've read, it is generally best practice to just fill 3 of those 6 slots with ram. You'll probably want 3x 2GB sticks and so that will leave you with 6GB of ram total. I don't know which games use more than 6GB of ram, but I don't think its very many (could be totally wrong...). Or I guess you could always shoot for 12GB, but I'd make sure its one of the two (6GB or 12GB). I'd prefer lower latency 6GB to 12GB of higher latency any day.[/quote]


for vista yes.....for window 7 a minimum of 8 gigs ram is recommended.....but lots running 6 gigs with no problems....try to get a latency of 8 or lower....and xmp......
[quote name='ECEXCURSION' post='1070418' date='Jun 8 2010, 04:27 PM']This probably doesn't help you very much, as I'm in the exact same boat as you (currently looking to upgrade my Q6600 to an i7).



An i7 motherboard will have (usually) 6 slots for ddr3 ram. This is so that you can run tri-channel memory. However, from what I've read, it is generally best practice to just fill 3 of those 6 slots with ram. You'll probably want 3x 2GB sticks and so that will leave you with 6GB of ram total. I don't know which games use more than 6GB of ram, but I don't think its very many (could be totally wrong...). Or I guess you could always shoot for 12GB, but I'd make sure its one of the two (6GB or 12GB). I'd prefer lower latency 6GB to 12GB of higher latency any day.





for vista yes.....for window 7 a minimum of 8 gigs ram is recommended.....but lots running 6 gigs with no problems....try to get a latency of 8 or lower....and xmp......

intel i7 960
asus p6x58d premium
antec 1200 case
antec quattro 1200w psu
corsair xms dominator 1600 12 gig
2x intel x25-m 80 gig ssd
lg blu ray/dvd burner
23.6" acer 120hz
nvidia 3d vision
liquid cooled by koolance (custom)
windows 7 ultimate
G19---habu--razer nasa
2x EVGA gtx 480 hydro FTW

#4
Posted 06/08/2010 10:33 PM   
[quote name='canauzzie' post='1070426' date='Jun 8 2010, 05:33 PM']for vista yes.....for window 7 a minimum of 8 gigs ram is recommended.....but lots running 6 gigs with no problems....try to get a latency of 8 or lower....and xmp......[/quote]
Recommended for for what? Windows 7 itself definitely does NOT require or recommend 8GBytes of memory. The OS itself uses very little memory, 800MBytes on my machine. I can't imagine that normal games shoot up the 3D requirements 7 Gbytes.

Please explain where you are getting this info. Vista uses more memory than 7, so I just can't understand why the requirements for 7 in 3D would be higher.

EDIT: Spelling.
[quote name='canauzzie' post='1070426' date='Jun 8 2010, 05:33 PM']for vista yes.....for window 7 a minimum of 8 gigs ram is recommended.....but lots running 6 gigs with no problems....try to get a latency of 8 or lower....and xmp......

Recommended for for what? Windows 7 itself definitely does NOT require or recommend 8GBytes of memory. The OS itself uses very little memory, 800MBytes on my machine. I can't imagine that normal games shoot up the 3D requirements 7 Gbytes.



Please explain where you are getting this info. Vista uses more memory than 7, so I just can't understand why the requirements for 7 in 3D would be higher.



EDIT: Spelling.

#5
Posted 06/08/2010 10:55 PM   
Exactly. The only game I've ever played that seemed to want to feast on more ram is GTAIV and it still plays perfectly fine. Otherwise I've never needed more than 4GB. The more the merrier for the future, but it's certainly probably not ever going to be a requirement.

[quote name='ECEXCURSION' post='1070444' date='Jun 8 2010, 06:55 PM']Recommended for for what? Windows 7 itself definitely does NOT require or recommend 8GBytes of memory. The OS itself uses very little memory, 800MBytes on my machine. I can't imagine that normal games shoot up the 3D requirements 7 Gbytes.

Please explain where you are getting this info. Vista uses more memory than 7, so I just can't understand why the requirements for 7 in 3D would be higher.

EDIT: Spelling.[/quote]
Exactly. The only game I've ever played that seemed to want to feast on more ram is GTAIV and it still plays perfectly fine. Otherwise I've never needed more than 4GB. The more the merrier for the future, but it's certainly probably not ever going to be a requirement.



[quote name='ECEXCURSION' post='1070444' date='Jun 8 2010, 06:55 PM']Recommended for for what? Windows 7 itself definitely does NOT require or recommend 8GBytes of memory. The OS itself uses very little memory, 800MBytes on my machine. I can't imagine that normal games shoot up the 3D requirements 7 Gbytes.



Please explain where you are getting this info. Vista uses more memory than 7, so I just can't understand why the requirements for 7 in 3D would be higher.



EDIT: Spelling.

#6
Posted 06/09/2010 05:00 AM   
The I7-930 is a great value as it is relatively cheap and overclocks well. 3x2GB of memory for tri-channel is high recommended and 6GB should do well in that system. Not all 1000W power supplies are created equal. You definitely want a top notch brand to power a pair of 480GTX cards.
The I7-930 is a great value as it is relatively cheap and overclocks well. 3x2GB of memory for tri-channel is high recommended and 6GB should do well in that system. Not all 1000W power supplies are created equal. You definitely want a top notch brand to power a pair of 480GTX cards.

#7
Posted 06/09/2010 08:15 AM   
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