Help me build a PC?

[ssbaudi]

I think i'll stick with Intel. I know my mobo favors ATI, so here are two comparably priced 4870 1gb's im looking at -

Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100259-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

Newegg.com - ASUS EAH4870 DK/HTDI/1GD5 Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

Do Nvidia's run better with intel? If the answer is yes, here are my options -

Newegg.com - EVGA 896-P3-1267-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Superclocked Edition 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

Newegg.com - XFX GX260NADFF GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

CrossfireX is AMD's (also called ATI.. same company ) Dual Video card solution, put two video cards and get some extra performance... (and that is a cheap upgrade path if you want to take it in the future... I'm not usually one to recommend this route though)

would I need an AMD processor to crossfire these cards?

 

[Baez]

Unless you go with the X58 Intel chipset SLI isn't available. Therefore you need AMD.

 

[veg1992]

No to all those questions you asked..

Like I said, its now a matter of which is the cheapest.. (btw never ever buy SuperClocked cards unless they were handpicked cards [aka they were the best of the lot and are cherry picked to do well]) because any normal card can OC to most of the superclocked speeds with RivaTuner or ATITool

 

[ssbaudi]

odd... why do they even include an extra pci-e slot then? OK so If the 4870 1gb and 260 216 are the same i'm going to go with the ati option because they are cheaper. Both of these get good reviews so I'm having a hard time, plus im getting kinda burnt out because i've been looking at newegg for 3 days straight.

Newegg.com - ASUS EAH4870 DK/HTDI/1GD5 Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100259-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

 

[Ventriac]

I'd go with the sapphire

 

[veg1992]

odd... why do they even include an extra pci-e slot then? OK so If the 4870 1gb and 260 216 are the same i'm going to go with the ati option because they are cheaper. Both of these get good reviews so I'm having a hard time, plus im getting kinda burnt out because i've been looking at newegg for 3 days straight.

Newegg.com - ASUS EAH4870 DK/HTDI/1GD5 Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100259-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

To do Crossfire.. you don't need an AMD CPU.. you need two AMD Video Cards... and a compatible chipset (like your motherboard)

 

[Puddle Jumper]

odd... why do they even include an extra pci-e slot then? OK so If the 4870 1gb and 260 216 are the same i'm going to go with the ati option because they are cheaper. Both of these get good reviews so I'm having a hard time, plus im getting kinda burnt out because i've been looking at newegg for 3 days straight.

Newegg.com - ASUS EAH4870 DK/HTDI/1GD5 Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100259-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

Either one would be good.

The extra pcie slot on the Biostar Tp45Hp is so you can add a second ati card for corssifre in the future (You can run crossfire on a p45 as well as a bunch of other Intel chipsets)

 

[ssbaudi]

Ok, I'm probably not going to be going larger than a 22 inch monitor so I'm going to stick with the 4870 Toxic 512mb and save 60 bucks - the toxic actually performs better than the 1gb at lower (but still high! :] ) resolutions.

I'm worried all of a sudden though, will my OCZ Reaper ram with the tall heatsinks fit under the sunbeam Core Contact Freezer i'm buying?