best SLI or CF for a compact liquid pc?

[Denun]

i want to build a definitive (???) gaming pc, but with so many videocards i really don't know what to buy.
i read hundreds reviews and benchmarks but they usually don't specify the size of those videocards, and my main problem is not the heat or the noise (everything will be cooled by liquid) but the size and if exists a water block for that videocard.

my case is a Zalman HD160XT and, as written on the manual, it's compatible with "Full Size PCI Card"; I don't know what's the meaning but i think around 24-25cm.

let me add that i'm currently in corea so some cards are difficult to find or they have different price then expected (korean shoping site).
I'll write down some prices just to give a rough idea and hoping that you can help me to choose the right one for my rig.

GTX460 768MB (675mhz-700mhz) = from 200,000W to 230,000W (180US$ - 206$)
GTX460 1GB (700mhz - 750mhz) = from 240,000W to 270,000W (215US$ - 240US$)
GTX460 1GB (760 mhz - 840 mhz) = from 280,000W to 320,000W (250$ - 290$)
GTX460 2GB (700 mhz) = 320,000W (290US$) link

GTX465 1GB 608MHZ = 270,000W (240US$)

GTX470 1.2GB 607MHz = 350,000W (315US$)
GTX470 1.2GB 625MHz = 390,000W (350US$) link link2

HD6850 1GB 775MHZ = around 260,000W (235US$)

HD6870 1GB 900MHZ = around 330,000W (300US$)


what's the more convenient solution? a 6850 crossfire or a gtx465 sli or a single 6870 (...i'm not sure 6870 will fit in the case) ?
Do you know a particular model of 6870 or gtx470 shorter and where is applicable a waterblock?


thx a lot for all suggestion that you can give me.

[Arkangyl]

The 465 isn't worthwhile from what I've read. AMD 6850, 6870, or nVidia 460 1gb, 470 should be your considerations. From what I've seen the 68x0 series from AMD has been doing very well in crossfire.

With the prices you listed, GTX 460 1GB (700-750 MHz) and HD6850 look the best.

dual 6850's would be the best overall, followed by dual 460 1gb's, then a single 6870 (from the options you listed price wise...)

Be careful watercooling though because I don't see much space in that case to mount a proper (2x120mm) radiator to deal with all of that heat.

[Denun]

thx a lot for your advise

and what if i go for the cheaper gtx 768mb sli for 360$? am i able to play at full 1920x1200 ?

[Arkangyl]

I'm pretty sure a single 6870, 6850, and even GTX 460 1gb can play most games as 1920x1200... I'm still on a GTX 260-216 and I play everything at 1920x1200, I just don't enable AA and AF in newer games...

[Anemic]

Liquid Cooling/General Hardware section?

[Neova]

For those prices why not a single gpu such as a 5870 or 470 / 480 GTX? It would give roughly the same performance as two cards (if you oc the card) and you don't have to worry about dual gpu driver issues (if any).

[Denun]

because i'm afraid it doesn't fit into the case

[xman01]

I'm pretty sure a single 6870, 6850, and even GTX 460 1gb can play most games as 1920x1200... I'm still on a GTX 260-216 and I play everything at 1920x1200, I just don't enable AA and AF in newer games...

i run 1920x1080 with a 4870 512mb with all my games
jus 2xaa 4xaf, sometimes jus 2xaf alone

so a 6870 should be more than enough