Building an EyeFinity gaming desktop; would anybody mind looking this over?

I Pwn Brownies

Academy Page

Join Date: Aug 2006

*Insert where I live here*

None.

Me/

[R e m o v e d]

GodOfFissures

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Dec 2011

United States

Bass Warriors [WuB]

D/A

It is good that you chose the more expensive 2GB versions of the 6950's. EyeFinity requires quite a bit of video memory, especially if you are playing at higher resolutions.

I personally own two 6950's and they scale very well in Crossfire. Good choice.

You can probably get away with a cheaper case and spend around $70. Look around more.

That PSU is fine for Crossfire, but don't expect the computer to run if you decide later to add a third card.

And you are being extremely cheap on the motherboard. If you want a good overclocking board you have to spend atleast $200.

VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: MSI is known for recently making their 6950's NON-UNLOCKABLE to 6970 shaders. Pick another redistributor if you wanna play it safe.

Happy shopping!

I Pwn Brownies

Academy Page

Join Date: Aug 2006

*Insert where I live here*

None.

Me/

[R e m o v e d]

Quaker

Quaker

Hell's Protector

Join Date: Aug 2005

Canada

Brothers Disgruntled

Quote:
Originally Posted by I Pwn Brownies View Post
Soo...price determines the ability/quality of overclocking now? Where's it say that in the 'handbook'? lol..a lot of reviews say this one is fine for overclocking, just a smaller-than-expected board.
Basically, the most expensive boards have things like on-board reset switches, multiple BIOSes, 3 or 4 graphics slots, fancy kewl-looking heatsinks, and other gewgaws that add cost but don't actually help overclocking or performance. The basic things you need for overclocking are the proper controls in the BIOS and stable voltage regulators, which, as you've found out, are available on much cheaper boards.

KZaske

KZaske

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jun 2006

Boise Idaho

Druids Of Old (DOO)

R/Mo

Two things of note: I would advise anyone brand other than MSI. I have been burned twice by there manufacturing date warranty, one of the cards I bought from them turned out to be OOW when I bought it!
I would advise at least an 850W PSU; a 750W may work, may not. Give yourself some breathing room and remember that PSU do wear out over time. It's called Electrolytic capacitor aging. Here is a link to help you figure out what you really need for a PSU: http://www.extreme.outervision.com/p...ulatorlite.jsp