Upgrading Radeon HD 7870

minkey · Mar 24, 2014

I'm about to upgrade my Radeon HD7870 to a Sapphire R9 280x or a Sapphire R9 290 (no "x"). My first choice (even though It's very expensive) is the R9 290 since it runs almost every game on ultra 60fps+ with a 1920 x 1080 screen and is only 70 euros more.

My question here is, will this GPU bottleneck a FX8350 processor and is 630W enough?

Thanks in advance!

rolli59 · Mar 24, 2014

Power is enough but the FX could do with an overclock to get max out of the 290 although it will work fine at std clocks!

minkey · Mar 24, 2014

rolli59 :

Alright, will a 0.2GHz (4->4.2) overclock be enough or is a 0.5GHz (4->4.5) overclock much better and much more stable?

fatboyslimerr · Mar 24, 2014

Do you run the FX 8350 overclocked? If so it should be fine at 1080p. I would also get the 290 over the 280X because, from what I can tell, the 290 has similar performance to a GTX 780 but costs €50-80 less!

Check out the Sapphire Tri-X R9 290. I hear its one of the better and cooler 290s.

What brand is your PSU? We need to know exactly what amperage it has on the 12v rail. 46A should be fine.

rolli59 · Mar 24, 2014

minkey :

It is a matter of trial and error but really depends on individual CPU.

Rookie_MIB · Mar 24, 2014

The 630w power supply should be just fine, and an 8 core (4 module) 8350 should have enough grunt to feed it as long as you're not running a bunch of drives or other accessories off it. Figure 150w for the processor, that leaves 480w for the card and other accessories and the 290 is rated for 300w or so.

minkey · Mar 24, 2014

Rookie_MIB :

Alright thanks

geofelt · Mar 24, 2014

I think you have a reasonably well balanced rig.

I might suggest you do a bit of experimenting to determine how well you might do.

a) Run your games, but lower your resolution and eye candy.
If your FPS increases, it indicates that your cpu is strong enough to drive a better graphics configuration.
If your FPS stays the same, you are likely more cpu limited.

b) Limit your cpu, either by reducing the OC, or, in windows power management, limit the maximum cpu% to something like 70%.
This will simulate what a lack of cpu power will do.

Go to control panel/power options/change plan settings/change advanced power settings/processor power management/maximum processor state/
set to 70% and see how you do.

You could also experiment with removing one core in the bios. This will tell you how sensitive your games are to the benefits of many cores.

If your FPS drops significantly, it is an indicator that your cpu is the limiting factor, and a cpu upgrade is in order.

It is possible that both tests are positive, indicating that you have a well balanced system, and both cpu and gpu need to be upgraded to get better gaming FPS.

minkey · Mar 24, 2014

geofelt :

I think you have a reasonably well balanced rig.

I might suggest you do a bit of experimenting to determine how well you might do.

a) Run your games, but lower your resolution and eye candy.
If your FPS increases, it indicates that your cpu is strong enough to drive a better graphics configuration.
If your FPS stays the same, you are likely more cpu limited.

b) Limit your cpu, either by reducing the OC, or, in windows power management, limit the maximum cpu% to something like 70%.
This will simulate what a lack of cpu power will do.

Go to control panel/power options/change plan settings/change advanced power settings/processor power management/maximum processor state/
set to 70% and see how you do.

You could also experiment with removing one core in the bios. This will tell you how sensitive your games are to the benefits of many cores.

If your FPS drops significantly, it is an indicator that your cpu is the limiting factor, and a cpu upgrade is in order.

It is possible that both tests are positive, indicating that you have a well balanced system, and both cpu and gpu need to be upgraded to get better gaming FPS.

On battlefield 4 my fps is around 35~40 (vsync on) on ULTRA, and this increases to a stable 60 fps (vsync on, probably 80~100 or something without) on LOW so my CPU is strong enough for a new GPU.

geofelt · Mar 24, 2014

A 630w psu will run any modern graphics card assuming the psu is of good quality and has 6 and a 8 pin pcie power leads.
Your 7870 is a very competent card. If you upgrade, make it a significant jump or you will be disappointed.
See if you can't stretch to a R9-290X.
I have never regretted paying more for something really good, but have often regretted settling for something cheaper.

If prices warrant, look at the GTX780 also.
Performance is comparable, and it will take less power and be quieter.

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