What is the biggest, most efficient card I can run on these specs?

Emil Stjernberg · May 10, 2013

I'm gonna try to keep this brief. I want to upgrade my graphics card, but I have no idea how much power consumption or processing there is involved with graphics cards. I'm running a pretty low spec machine, so I don't know if another component could make the graphics card run slower or worse, or if the computer will run hot from too large a card. Any help would be appreciated.
Computer brand: PB imedia S3220
OS: Windows 7 Home Edition 64-bit
Motherboard: WMCP78M
Processor: AMD Athlon II X2 250
RAM: 6GB DDR3 (no idea who made it or the brand)
Graphics Card: ATI Radeon HD 5570
Power Supply: 350W(?)
Case: Some Packard Bell mATX case with one 800mm fan at the back and a grid on the side panel.

Matsushima · May 10, 2013

The processor is your biggest bottleneck. Try upgrading it to a quadcore, or at least a higher clocked one. A good 400-500 watt power supply from Corsair/Seasonic/XFX should do the job, provided that you are upgrading to a 7770-class graphics card. From my specs which are similar to your computer, I would think a 7770 is the most efficient upgrade you can get. Anything higher will be slowed down by the processor. What exactly is your purpose of this computer and your budget?

My Athlon II X2 270 at 3.4 runs TF2 smoothly with a 7770. I down-clocked it to 2.6 and it's still fine. The 250 is 3GHz, so it will be similar performance to my 270.

The 7750 by the way does not need any power connectors and is the a good card based on power draw/performance. Here is an example:
http://www.sapphiretech.com/presentation/product/?cid=1&gid=3&sgid=1159&lid=1&pid=1454&leg=0#
800MHz core and has GDDR5.

The 7770 will need a 6-pin power connector, while the 7750 gets the power it needs only from the PCIe slot.

Onus · May 10, 2013

Looking only at what you have now, and anticipating no other upgrades, the strongest graphics card you should consider is the HD7750. It needs only around 56W running flat out. If you choose this upgrade, make sure you get one with GDDR5 as the card is spec'ed, not one of the abominations some people are selling with the much slower DDR3. Also, make sure it is an 800MHz version. A faster, 900MHz version was released that uses more power, in fact requiring a 6-pin PCIe power connector, which you probably do not have (using molex adapters on a weak PSU is ill-advised).

bigcyco1 · May 10, 2013

I agree with Onus.

twstd1 · May 10, 2013

800mm fan! So your case is a gutted out jet engine? lol I want pics. Oh and I agree with the other guys.

Emil Stjernberg · May 11, 2013

twstd1 :

Oops, I meant 80mm. :pt1cable:

Emil Stjernberg · May 11, 2013

Matsushima :

Thank you very much.

I mean to use this computer for gaming, and my budget is not limited. I'll decide what to get, then I set a goal to reach. What's this card normally priced at in euros? I found one that is priced at 100€ http://. Don't want to spend more than I need to.

Emil Stjernberg · May 11, 2013

Onus :

Looking only at what you have now, and anticipating no other upgrades, the strongest graphics card you should consider is the HD7750. It needs only around 56W running flat out. If you choose this upgrade, make sure you get one with GDDR5 as the card is spec'ed, not one of the abominations some people are selling with the much slower DDR3. Also, make sure it is an 800MHz version. A faster, 900MHz version was released that uses more power, in fact requiring a 6-pin PCIe power connector, which you probably do not have (using molex adapters on a weak PSU is ill-advised).

Thank you.

Matsushima · May 11, 2013

What games are you playing though? And ASUS cards are normally a bit expensive.
This would be my upgrade path:
Athlon X4
500W power supply
7770 if upgraded to above

EDIT: Don't upgrade to the 7770 because it seems that the power supply is a mATX and there are hardly any decent mATX power supplies in the market. The 7750 has more power/performance value.

Onus · May 11, 2013

FSP and Silverstone both offer some decent SFX PSUs, which some people call "micro-ATX." They are in some cases 80+ bronze, and 400W-450W; the latter has two PCIe power cables on it.

Emil Stjernberg · May 11, 2013

Matsushima :

Yeah, I was going for a 7750. I'm planning on a bigger build when I get more money, but I'm falling behind so much I need a little emergency boost, hence why I just want to upgrade the graphics card.
I don't plan on playing many very intense games, since I buy those for my PS3, but there are a few games on PC that are exclusive to the platform like indie titles, Minecraft and Tribes Ascend. Tribes Ascend is the most craving out of all of them. I also want to play Skyrim on PC. My current graphics card would be able to play these games, but not on the settings I desire. I actually play Tribes already, but I have 30 FPS on the absolute minimum settings in 1920x1080, or 60 FPS on low settings on 1280x720, which is less than I want. Something along the lines of 60 FPS on low-medium settings in 1920x1080 is what I'm after, and I believe the recommended card for Tribes is a 6670, so a 7750 should be just swell. I have a real build in mind which is much better, but it came to about 1200€, money I don't have and won't have for a while. This graphics card is just something to keep me going for a bit, and help me play the games the way I want to.

Matsushima · May 11, 2013

Onus :

That's nice. Do they also make TFX models as well?

Onus · May 11, 2013

Yes, and Seasonic makes TFX PSUs, but I think the largest one might be 350W. That would be enough for a HD7770 or GTX650Ti, using an adapter (safe to do, only because these PSUs are Seasonic, and have enough power on +12V; don't try this on cheap junk).

Emil Stjernberg · May 12, 2013

Onus :

Um... I just found out my power supply's 250W, not 350W. WIll I still be able to run a 7750 without frying the system?

Onus · May 12, 2013

Most likely, yes (as long as it isn't a Bestec -12E, but that would likely have killed your system already). The PSU-sizing calculator at http://www.extreme.outervision.com/PSUEngine recommends 259W, but specifies 209W as a minimum.
(based on my arbitrary assumptions including 10% capacitor aging)

Emil Stjernberg · May 12, 2013

Onus :

So... I can run it without the risk of frying the system? I'm not really that keen on killing the entire thing. My power supply isn't a terribly great one. I don't even know what make or form factor it is. It's like a custom thing for my PC, since my PC isn't self built.

Matsushima · May 12, 2013

Does your PSU look something like this:
http://xtreview.com/images/xilence%20SFX%20PSU.jpg
Is this what your computer looks like:
http://www.abcua.com/images/goods/5440/12405_b.jpg

Emil Stjernberg · May 13, 2013

Matsushima :

Yes! Except the PSU fan is on the back, facing towards the computer's front. http://

Matsushima · May 13, 2013

Like Onus said, it is likely to work, but there is a chance that it will not. If it does break, you can replace it with something like this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151063

Emil Stjernberg · May 13, 2013

Matsushima :

Alright, thanks a bunch. Here's hoping I don't have to spend more than I need to.

Thanks again, guys. You're awesome!

Onus · May 13, 2013

Is that one small enough? Hmmm, might be, 2.5" thick...I was thinking of this FSP unit... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817104131

Matsushima · May 14, 2013

Emil Stjernberg :

The reviews say that it is somewhat big... Don't know why because it says it is SFX form factor. Onus has posted a better one.

Emil Stjernberg · May 16, 2013

Matsushima :

Alright. Problem is that I live in Finland, so NewEgg does not ship here. I've found a suitable substitute, I think. http://www.jimms.fi/tuote/SST-ST45SF It's pretty damn expensive though, about $95. Sucks that Finland is so damn rich. The common man has no money compared to prices. :pfff:

Onus · May 16, 2013

That is a good PSU though. Hopefully you can work something out.

Emil Stjernberg · May 17, 2013

Onus :

Well, I got home today so I tried to put the HD 7750 in my computer. Turns out it's too thick and hits the bottom of the case. I'm gonna have to buy a new case whether I like it or not.

Guess I'll just buy a power supply at the same time and then move the entire motherboard over to the new case, attach a new power supply and add the 7750 to the mix. Should work out fine.

What is the biggest, most efficient card I can run on these specs?

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