Tech Support Forums - TechIMO.com - View Single Post - Need Dual-GPU recommendation

Meph · June 24th, 2009, 08:49 PM

OK, I finally got sick of limping along with my 7 year-old machine--it's past the point where I can keep swapping out parts to keep it current.

I went to Micro Center today and found a really good deal. Got an HP system with the following relevant specs:
CPU: C2Duo 7200
4GB RAM

On the way out the door, I picked up an Enermax 82+ 525W PSU (not the modular). The idea is that I'll drop two GPUs into the machine, and the stock PSU won't handle that load. The Enermax will, and is quiet.

The thing is, I'm trying to do this all on the cheap (the less I spend, the less the wife complains). I'd like to stay under $160 for two graphics cards.

I don't play any games that have come out in the past 2-3 years, and the only game that might be coming out before I build a hot-rod rig (sometime in the next 2 years) that I'd play would be Diablo 3.

What I primarily do is run 3 monitors (2 x 19" @ 1440 x 900 res, 23" @ 1680 x 1050 res) for basic tasks, with some Photoshop CS4 thrown in. And potentially some basic video editing, as well.

So by and large, I just need to push resolution, with the occasional game thrown in here and there.

All that said, would a pair of XFX 9500 GT 512MB be good? Or should I go for something a bit beefier? I like having 2 DVI-out on a card. In the future I might expand to a second 23" monitor--I know 2 9500s can't push that much resolution--so I'd have to drop in a third card. And from a driver headache standpoint, if I take that leap in a year or so, I want to be able to buy a third copy of whatever card (so the 8xxx cards aren't as attractive).

EDIT: While cruising for a comparable deal on another site, I noted an Asus, which Newegg has for $49.99 AMIR w/free shipping (up to 2 per household!). Both cards look big, but if I can fit the XFX, I can fit the Asus. Does the Asus sound like a better choice?

June 24th, 2009, 08:49 PM	#1 (permalink)
Meph Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 27	Need Dual-GPU recommendation OK, I finally got sick of limping along with my 7 year-old machine--it's past the point where I can keep swapping out parts to keep it current. I went to Micro Center today and found a really good deal. Got an HP system with the following relevant specs: CPU: C2Duo 7200 4GB RAM On the way out the door, I picked up an Enermax 82+ 525W PSU (not the modular). The idea is that I'll drop two GPUs into the machine, and the stock PSU won't handle that load. The Enermax will, and is quiet. The thing is, I'm trying to do this all on the cheap (the less I spend, the less the wife complains). I'd like to stay under $160 for two graphics cards. I don't play any games that have come out in the past 2-3 years, and the only game that might be coming out before I build a hot-rod rig (sometime in the next 2 years) that I'd play would be Diablo 3. What I primarily do is run 3 monitors (2 x 19" @ 1440 x 900 res, 23" @ 1680 x 1050 res) for basic tasks, with some Photoshop CS4 thrown in. And potentially some basic video editing, as well. So by and large, I just need to push resolution, with the occasional game thrown in here and there. All that said, would a pair of XFX 9500 GT 512MB be good? Or should I go for something a bit beefier? I like having 2 DVI-out on a card. In the future I might expand to a second 23" monitor--I know 2 9500s can't push that much resolution--so I'd have to drop in a third card. And from a driver headache standpoint, if I take that leap in a year or so, I want to be able to buy a third copy of whatever card (so the 8xxx cards aren't as attractive). EDIT: While cruising for a comparable deal on another site, I noted an Asus, which Newegg has for $49.99 AMIR w/free shipping (up to 2 per household!). Both cards look big, but if I can fit the XFX, I can fit the Asus. Does the Asus sound like a better choice? Last edited by Meph : June 24th, 2009 at 08:59 PM.