Would my system bottleneck my GPU?

Poster7

Reputable
Jun 10, 2014
15
0
4,510
Hi, my current specs are:
Motherboard:GA-A55M-DS2.
CPU: AMD A6-3670 APU.
RAM: 8GB DDR3.
PCI-E 2.0 empty slot
Power supply:300W
SATA 2 connectors to HDD
4TB Seagate Hybrid Drive

The current system causes lagging during playing games. So, I have bought ASUS GEFORCE GTX 680 4GB GDDR5 PCI-E 3.0 and a bigger case as my old case is too small and a 600W Power Supply Unit. Do I have have to change my motherboard, CPU and SATA cables? Would my current system bottleneck my new GPU? Please advise. Thank you ever so much.
 
Solution
The cs series is basically just a more efficient version of the cx series. Higher efficiency doesn't mean it's more reliable or will last longer.
The xfx unit I recommended is by far the better unit, here's a johnny guru review you can take a look at if you don't like the amazon reviews http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=216.
The only negative things mentioned in the review are the price (in the us parts are usually a lot cheaper though, this is very well priced for the uk), the packaging and marketing.


As for the amazon reviews, one was for a dead power supply, which xfx would be obliged to replace if you contacted them about it. The other was a faulty fan, which they would also probably be able to...

_Epix_

Reputable
May 7, 2014
371
0
4,860


Not sure if the 300w could power the 680, but pretty sure that the 600w will. Theres no need to change your motherboard/cpu.
 

Poster7

Reputable
Jun 10, 2014
15
0
4,510
My new case, PSU and graphics card have arrived. I have transferred the old motherboard, etc. into the new case but I need to get some molex Y splitter cables and power cables for the graphics card before I can install it. I have ordered the cables but they haven't arrived yet. Once they arrive, I will install the new graphics card and see how things are running. I will monitor frame rates and the performance of the graphics card, CPU, RAM, etc. and see if I need to replace the motherboard and CPU.
 

Mattib 050

Honorable
Nov 24, 2013
332
0
10,960
What make and model is your psu?

If it's supposedly a 600w power supply but doesn't even have two pcie 6+2 pin connectors, I wouldn't even trust it with a lower end card.
Don't use molex adapters for a high end card.
 

Mattib 050

Honorable
Nov 24, 2013
332
0
10,960
Molex connectors can't handle very high currents, which the pcie connectors are designed to do. Molex connectors are also only rated for 60w compared to 75w for 6 pins and 150w for an 8 pin. So if you're going to do it, at least use 3 or more molex connectors.

As for the psu, most units which are £45 on their own generally aren't very good for high end systems.
I couldn't manage to find any info on the psu AT ALL, which makes me think you'll need to replace it. Take a look inside your case and check the sides of the psu for a table which should show the supported amps on each rail (12v, 5v, 3.3v....). The most important thing here is that you have enough amperage on the 12v rail, at least 38A.
I suspect that your so called '600w' power supply will have a load of amps on the 5v and 3.3v rails (most of the amperage here will be completely useless), and hardly anything available on the 12v rail, which is used by your cpu, gpu and motherboard.
 
''The PSU came with the case: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00C9DWDDS/ref=oh_de... What should I do? Buy another PSU?''

the psu came with the pc case is a generic one made under the name of ''alpine'' so i do not know this brand ....
usualy a generic psu is not built for last , i suggest you to buy an other one like seasonic/xfx/corsair/antec hcg
 

Poster7

Reputable
Jun 10, 2014
15
0
4,510

Thank you very much for all the details. I opened the case and found out the following:
PSU: Alpine Switching Mode Power Supply. JSP-600P12P.

584W = 22A TO +3.3VDC, 32A TO + 5VDC, 34A TO +12VDC
16W = 0.5A TO -12VDC, 2.0A TO +5VSB

What does all that mean? I know that VDC means Voltage Direct Current and VSB means Voltage Stand By.

This provides 34A to the +12VDC but you said to have at least 38A. Does this mean that I have to buy another PSU? In that case, which one should I buy? Would this one be ok: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Corsair-Builder-Series-Modular-Certified/dp/B00ALK3QRS/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1402611349&sr=8-6&keywords=computer+power+supply+unit+800w By the way, my CPU consumes 100W and new graphics card consumes maximum 195W. Thanks again.
 

Poster7

Reputable
Jun 10, 2014
15
0
4,510


Thank you for your recommendation. I am thinking of buying http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00ALK3QRS/ref=noref?ie=UTF8&psc=1&s=computers
 

Mattib 050

Honorable
Nov 24, 2013
332
0
10,960

Mattib 050

Honorable
Nov 24, 2013
332
0
10,960
The cs series is basically just a more efficient version of the cx series. Higher efficiency doesn't mean it's more reliable or will last longer.
The xfx unit I recommended is by far the better unit, here's a johnny guru review you can take a look at if you don't like the amazon reviews http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=216.
The only negative things mentioned in the review are the price (in the us parts are usually a lot cheaper though, this is very well priced for the uk), the packaging and marketing.


As for the amazon reviews, one was for a dead power supply, which xfx would be obliged to replace if you contacted them about it. The other was a faulty fan, which they would also probably be able to sort out if you rma'd it.

At the end of the day, it's your choice, but if you do go with the cs series I'd recommend going with the 650w model. You don't need 750w.
Just be aware that if you get the cs power supply, it's still a budget supply, as is the xfx unit.
The difference is, xfx focused on making a reliable power supply, with good ripple suppression, voltage regulation, etc., whereas corsair just made a budget supply with higher efficiency and modular cables (the xfx unit has this too though).

If the 80 plus ratings are what's causing you to lean towards the cs series, remember that gold supplies have to be around 7 percentage points more efficient (to be gold rated in the first place), but this won't save you much money on power bills anyway, especially if you're only running a single card anyway.

EDIT: I forgot to add, the rma centre for xfx is in the uk (preston), and corsair's rma centre is in the netherlands. If you do need to send either of the power supplies back within the warranty period (three years for the corsair or five years for the xfx if you register it), you'll have to spend a fair bit of money just to ship it to corsair.
 
Solution

Poster7

Reputable
Jun 10, 2014
15
0
4,510
I have installed my new power supply unit (XFX 650W) and GTX 680 4GB GDDR5 graphics card and the game is playing smoothly at the highest graphics setting. So, I am not going to replace the motherboard and CPU. Thank you again to all who replied.