I want to upgrade my graphics card.

D2APDesigns · Jul 16, 2013

This is my current graphics card: AMD RADEON HD 6670 1GB DDR3 PCIE
this is my CPU OEM INTEL I7-3770K 3.5 GHZ 8M LGA1155 (Water cooled)
and this is my current power supply: XTREMEGEAR 600 WATT POWER SUPPLY
http://www.amazon.com/XTreme-Gear-PSAZ-CP600-Power-Supply/dp/B0087FZ39S

I want to get a new graphics card because my current one is too weak for such a powerful CPU, it's causing bottle necking. I wanted to get this graphics card: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006VX4E7U/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&seller=

but I'm not sure if my power supply will be powerful enough, or if I'll even have the plugs I need for it. For the power I saw somewhere about a similar or same PSU not having too great of a +12V rail and low amps. As for the plugs It seems I only have one 6+2 and the GTX 560 ti needs two 6 pins.

If you guys could give your opinions, advice, or possibly recommend a graphics card to fit my current specs that would be great.

Thanks in advance.

clutchc · Jul 16, 2013

That is a very low-end PSU. The +12V rail puts it in the 400W range, not 600W. If you only have one PCIe power cable, look into the GTX 660 OC cards. They only need 1 x 6 pin connector and rank quite high for gaming.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-7.html

D2APDesigns · Jul 16, 2013

clutchc :

What about something like this?
www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127725&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-_-pla-_-Desktop+Graphics+Cards-_-N82E16814127725&gclid=CMX-oJv4tLgCFUkS7Aod9zAA_Q

clutchc · Jul 16, 2013

That's fine. It will be marginal at 1080p with some of the the more graphically demanding games when using high settiongs, but considering what you're coming from... a slight upgrade. If you look at the hierarchy chart, the 650ti ranks a full 3 tiers below the 660.

D2APDesigns · Jul 16, 2013

clutchc :

I know, but I'm on a budget and the 660's that I saw were like 250+ which is a bit more than I want to spend, and the 650ti seems like a good deal all things considered. So with my current power supply I should be able to go with the 650ti, correct?

clutchc · Jul 16, 2013

The lowest cost GTX 660s at Newegg are under $200.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007709&IsNodeId=1&Description=gtx%20660&name=Desktop%20Graphics%20Cards&Order=PRICE&Pagesize=20

If you like AMD, this would be a good upgrade from the GTX 650ti: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202004

D2APDesigns · Jul 16, 2013

I was just looking at that Radeon actually, so if I go with the 650ti or the sapphire will my power supply suffice? That's really my final questions. I wouldn't want to buy a new card and I can't use it.

clutchc · Jul 16, 2013

It is of adequate power for that, yes. But I can't speak to the quality or longevity of it. That is a low end unit I'm not familiar with.

D2APDesigns · Jul 17, 2013

clutchc :

Thank you I appreciate your responses. Also, I pulled my computer apart today and was looking over it and turns out I do have two of those PCIe cables. Although I guess that doesn't change much. I think I'm just gonna go with the GTX 650 Ti. I'd like to get the Sapphire but it's minimum recommended power supply is 500watts which makes me nerves since my power supply isn't that great. However, the GTX 650 Ti suggest a minimum of 400 watts. So I feel a bit more comfortable with that.

clutchc · Jul 17, 2013

That's fine, but there is only a 20W difference between max wattage of the 2 cards: http://www.hwcompare.com/13632/geforce-gtx-650-ti-vs-radeon-hd-7850/
That relates to only 1.7amp more on the +12V rail for the HD 7850. They really aren't that far apart in power demand. Btw, those manufacturer's PSU suggestions are to be taken with a grain of salt. They have no idea how much other power hungry devices your system has. They have to figure high to cover their butts.

D2APDesigns · Jul 17, 2013

clutchc :

Yeah, that's true, I'm just nerves about all this stuff, I got a water cooling system, several fans, etc, so I know my power supply is being used a good bit and I just don't want to overload it obviously, but hell if it's only a 20watt difference then I might just go with the Sapphire after all. I do want to upgrade my power supply at some point, probably go up to 650 or 700.

clutchc · Jul 17, 2013

Have you used a PSU calculator to guess-timate your PSU needs? Assuming your PSU is more or less in the "true" 400W range, run your system thru the calc and see how close you are. But yes, if you are moving more towards an enthusiast's PC, upgrading the PSU to a better quality one would be wise.
Calculator: http://www.extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp

Here is a tiered chart of PSUs in order of their quality: http://www.eggxpert.com/forums/thread/323050.aspx

D2APDesigns · Jul 17, 2013

clutchc :

I was just trying it, but it appears their website is down.

clutchc · Jul 17, 2013

I just tried it. Working for me. But I had the same problem awhile back. Everyone else could access it, except me. Then suddenly (weeks later) I too could access the site. Never figured out what that was all about. Try a different PC.

D2APDesigns · Jul 17, 2013

clutchc :

Yeah, I tried my pc, and 2 laptops and neither would connect. Very strange, guess I won't be using it anytime soon.

clutchc · Jul 17, 2013

D2APDesigns :

Are you using FF or IE? Try the other browser.

D2APDesigns · Jul 17, 2013

clutchc :

D2APDesigns :

Are you using FF or IE? Try the other browser.

Tried Firefox and Chrome, neither worked. I won't dare open IE lol it just freezes up.

D2APDesigns · Jul 17, 2013

I hate to ask, but I don't know what else to do. I'm gonna give you a picture of my invoice from when I bought it, do you think you could plug the stuff in real quick and see what it says. I know that's a bit of a pain for you so if you don't have time or don't want to I understand, but if you do then thank you so much.

This should help, here is the invoice picture.
http://gyazo.com/9d8a099d40d6924ece88e01b82b366c8

clutchc · Jul 17, 2013

Using that info, I come up with a PSU of 382W. I replaced the HD 6670 with the HD 7850, and I assumed an average of 6 USB devices that required power, (Since you have an add-on USB port header, I assumed you would be using a few devices.)

D2APDesigns · Jul 17, 2013

clutchc :

Yeah I have a mouse, keyboard, webcam, and external hard drive hooked up. Alright, so based on that I should be good to go. I really appreciate all your help, you've been great.

I want to upgrade my graphics card.

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