What's my bottleneck? What should I upgrade?

teapole · May 7, 2013

So I've been building a second computer for friends when they come over so they don't have to lug their rigs around, in other words I'm a gamer. I just recently bought a new graphics card for the computer, an AMD radeon hd 7700 series. So here are the current specs: 1GB 1Rx8 PC3-10600U-9-10-AQ ram sticks (x4, 4g total) the AMD radeon hd 7700r series (does not need cable from psu, smaller edition) and an intel i7 860 @ 2.8ghz. The motherboard is a dell xps studio 8000 mobo, it has 4 slots for ram and the processor came w/ it.

With my current setup, I can run WoW at high and ultra no prob, but games like APB reloaded seem to have a slight lag, even on lower quality settings, and don't come out fluid. So what should be upgraded first? Thanks in advance

Thanatos Telos · May 7, 2013

Probably the GPU or RAM. That processor is still a beast. Aim for 2x4 GB to have 8. For the GPU, go for an HD 78xx or nVidia 660 at the very least.

rolli59 · May 7, 2013

If 64bit OS then ram to 2x4GB. Next would be the GPU if PSU allows it.

4745454b · May 7, 2013

Yes. The 7750 isn't a gaming monster. New video card should perk that rig back up.

photonboy · May 7, 2013

In order:
1) Graphics card
2) RAM (8GB; if possible)

Confirm 64-bit Windows or 32-bit Windows?

As for which graphics card, I recently wrote a LONG reply which is worth reading as the game deals complicate things:
http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-1668048/7750-650-1gb-2gb-7770-1gb.html

*Read my reply that starts "Why so LOOOONG?..."

This was my favorite card in the budget range:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121651

(Note the GAMES included, if you haven't read my reply).

teapole · May 8, 2013

If I was to get that card,http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121651 what kind of powersupply would I need? I have a 500 watt with no connectors for a graphics card right now. I've seen 40 dollar psu's that seem fairly decent, any suggestions?

ihog · May 8, 2013

Hard drive...

teapole · May 8, 2013

What do you mean hard drive? And how does the 7850 hold up to a 560ti?

usbgtx550 · May 8, 2013

The 7850 outpaces the 560ti. Also, the 7850 doesn't require a beefy psu. I'm personally running mine off an Antec Earthwatts 380w just fine.

teapole · May 8, 2013

my 500 watt doesn't have any extra 6 pin connectors, will it need those?
if I can't use mine, whats a cheap alternative?

ihog · May 8, 2013

teapole :

The hard drive is always the bottleneck of a rig, because it's the slowest. I was being a jackass.

teapole · May 8, 2013

Oh... lol

usbgtx550 · May 8, 2013

Maybe a splitter would work
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812201038

teapole · May 8, 2013

My PSU only has a 4 pin mobo plug, so I don't think the splitter would work

teapole · May 8, 2013

So basically my question now is what's the cheapest power supply that will run this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121651

4745454b · May 8, 2013

You want the cheapest PSU to run a $200 video card? Interesting priorities you have.

Antec 380 or Corsair CX430. Whichever is cheaper at the time you buy. Hopefully the Antec as its slightly more efficient.

photonboy · May 9, 2013

4745454b :

ANTEC VP450:

The CX430 died on me after a few hours. Further research indicates a high rate of failures with their entire "Builder" Series. A 380W with an i7-860 and HD7850 seems unrealistic. I then did a lot more research which you can read here (PSU and link to review):
http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-1668057/electrical-popping-noise-computer-wont-power.html#10757931

Connections:
- 2x4-pin (joined for the 8-pin CPU connection)
- 1x6-pin
- 24-pin
- 4xSATA? (can get more with MOLEX adapter)
etc. (I forget the exact connections, but I can confirm he above)

*WARNING. While I use the same CPU (i7-860), I strongly advise you NOT to overclock either the graphics card or CPU. The power requirements can go up significantly. I consider a high quality 450W like this the bare minimum for your setup with the HD7850 while remaining stable, and again I recommend you do not overclock any components.

photonboy · May 9, 2013

Other:
Don't forget to TWEAK your games using FRAPS as a guideline like this:
1) run game and FRAPS
2) VSYNC OFF (for now)
3) adjust quality settings to achieve over 60FPS at least 90% of the time
4) Turn on VSYNC again

I've found I often have to re-tune my quality settings later in a game if it gets more demanding. It's also important to note that some quality settings are disproportionate in Framerate vs Quality. With an HD7850, 4xAA in many games might be ideal for anti-aliasing.

RADEONPRO can also be very helpful:
a) force VSYNC when not supported (i.e. Witcher 1)
b) force anti-aliasing when not supported
c) HALF VSYNC (30FPS instead of 60FPS)
d) force 50FPS instead of 60FPS (when supported; monitor dependent; I could do this at 1280x720 and 1920x1080)

CHEERS.

8350rocks · May 9, 2013

As said before, The HD 7850 is quite an upgrade.

If your windows version is 32 bit adding more RAM will not help as your OS will be unable to recognize/address it. Though, if that's the case, you could go to 2 sticks of 2 GB with more bandwidth, Something like 1333 MHz or 1600 MHz (if supported) would help some.

Going to a 7200 RPM HDD, if yours isn't already a 7200 RPM HDD would help speeds slightly.

4745454b · May 9, 2013

Going to a 7200 RPM HDD, if yours isn't already a 7200 RPM HDD would help load speeds slightly.

FIFY.

Photonboy, you use your own experience likes its the end all of the PSU world? Every company has duds. It happens. It probably did have some issues seeing as Corsair made a v2. Which review people liked.

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story5&reid=239

Kisianik · May 9, 2013

teapole :

Correct me if I am wrong - you basically upgrading XPS 8000, am I correct? So, can you check your PSU model to avoid misunderstandings, most XPS 8XXX series come with at least 460 watt PSU with at least one 6 pin GPU connector. Is it XPS 8000 PSU?
So please clarify things here, because 660 can run on Dell 460 watt PSU! No upgrade necessary.

What's my bottleneck? What should I upgrade?

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