New system GPU/Monitor Query

Hi, could do with some help with choosing a graphics card + monitor:

I'm about to order my new system (well as much as I can afford for now anyway - hope to add to it later if SSDs ever come down in price...)

Silverstone Fortress 2
XFX Black 850W
Asus P6X58D Premium
3x2GB Corsair Dominator 8-8-8-24 12800 (1600)
Core i7 930 (I'm planning on overclocking it - are you able to provide one from a known good batch for this?)
Corsair Hydro H50v2
Seagate 7200.12 250GB (x2 No RAID)
LiteOn DVD burner

Problem is what graphics cards and monitor to add to it. I've got about £300-£350ish to throw at the GPU and £200 for a monitor.

I'm really keen for keeping the noise down, my current machine is so loud when it gets warm it drives me mad. Having waited and waited for Fermi to come out it turns out to be loud and hot and not really much worth the wait. So I thought I'd revert to a pair of Gigabyte GTX260s GV-N26SO-896I which were nice and quiet + as good as a GTX295. Problem is, I seem to have missed the boat. If I can't get hold of them, what do I go for? A Pair of 5770 Sapphire Vapor-X or a 5870 Vapor-X or even a SuperOverClocked 5870 if it ever comes out this side of the Atlantic?

I've heard the Vapor-Xs can be quiet at idle but can sound loud under load. Anyone got these and able to confirm if that's true?

Also, the monitor I'm looking at is the Iiyama PLE2407HDS-B1 as it has HDMI and seems to offer a reasonable contrast ratio+ response time. Anyone got one of these? What's the colour accuracy like + is it any good?

any advice greatly appreciated. Thanks guys,

If you're gaming then the Benq 24" HDBL
http://www.all-monitors.com/monitors...owners_reviews
If you're after colour reproduction then one of the IPS panels mentioned in this thread.
http://forums.hexus.net/graphics-car...tor-250-a.html

Toss in a 5870 and your good to go.

thanks guys. Having done some more research it sounds like I'll have to give up on trying to find a 1920x1200 monitor - the only one that sounds reasonable is the Samsung SM2443BW but apparently it hums and buzzes which will drive me mad. Moving to a 1920x1080 it sounds like the LG W2442PA is a good buy at £180 :) Just wish it had those extra pixels though.

Still stumped on the graphics card front. Anyone able to advise on the noise of 2 5770s in XF compared to a single 5870?

Why you going for the 930, you can save money by going 920.

Why not go for the BenQ G2420HDBL as mentioned by Phage too? It's a brilliant monitor and quite likely to be better than the LG. Doesn't cost a fortune either!

I'd also second 5870 over 2 cards as one card is likely to be quieter than two and I doubt you need anything more powerful than a 5870 for 1920*1080.

for the mobo swap it to the -E version and save yourself ~£60, you only lose Dual gigabit lan

then I'd suggest getting a nice 5870 or GTX 470 and putting that spare £60 towards either an Acer GD245HQ or a 27"+ monitor

GTX260 @£160 http://www.ebuyer.com/product/161967

although if you don't mind 2nd hand you should be able to pick them up cheaper on fleabay

although personally a 5850 is to my mind the best price vs perfromance option atm

If I get the SoC 260s I would have - but they're all out of stock now and no sign on ebay either. Not surprising as they're both powerful and quiet. Normal 260s are noisier but better than any fermi card out there at the moment.

When I looked at the motherboards I thought the E version had a few other differences. Will have a look and post back.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ik9000

When I looked at the motherboards I thought the E version had a few other differences. Will have a look and post back.

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The E version doesn't have (relative to Premium):
- Second Gigabit port.
- Reset switch on MB.
- NB cooling fan.
- Additional I/O plate with 2xUSB and I think eSATA.

I've generally always gone for enthusiast/gaming MB's in the past but this time round I've giving the "basic" board a go (got the E over the Premium or the ROG series).