AMD A8-5600K with a GeForce GT 640 2GB?

filipinoy95 · Jul 4, 2014

Hello,

I just had a curious question. I have built my girlfriend a small form factor computer mainly used for academics and light gaming.

Here are her main PC Specs:

CPU: AMD A8-5600K APU (CPU+GPU) at 3.6GHz
RAM: 8GB (4GB x 2) Corsair Vengeance LP 1600
MOBO: ASUS A55M-E FM2 AMD A55 (Hudson D2)

I got her into Minecraft (never thought she would be into PC gaming) and she is enjoying it a lot; but when we try to video call via Skype while she is playing Minecraft, her computer locks up. It's just a frozen screen. My guess, is that her computer didn't have enough VRAM to run both programs at the same time.

Before, she used to have 4GB of RAM in her system and when I played the game on high settings the game ran fine but I noticed that the game was a bit "choppy" and then I thought that since her CPU was an APU (Graphics Cores on a CPU), it relied on her RAM to run games, or so I thought. So I recommended to pick up another 4GB of RAM so she could run the game better AND utilize the dual channel feature to slightly increase her system performance. So when I ran Minecraft for the first time with her system now upgraded to 8GB of RAM, my hypothesis that her game would run more smoothly was wrong. Her game was still a bit choppy. Even with 8GB of RAM, which is WAY more than enough for her needs, the game still couldn't run perfectly. And when we tried Video Calling on Skype, that is when her computer had frozen.

So my new theory is, if I pick up a dedicated GPU, (my choice is the EVGA GT 640 2GB, she doesn't need a GTX), both Minecraft and Skype can be run at the same time with no hiccup.

Is this new theory correct?

Thanks in advance and Happy 4th of July to those living in the US!

Steel_Nugget · Jul 4, 2014

filipinoy95 :

The GT 640 is a little more powerful then the APU so it might. First I would recomend checking the usage of the components. Windows 7 has a CPU, and Ram monitoring gadget so you could see if one of those gets fully used when making a call. Or get a program like Afterburner to see if you're GPU get's completely used. (I'm not sure if Afterburner will detect an APU) Also if you get that GPU 1gb of Vram should be enough if thats an option. Also if you live in the U.S check out newegg, you can get a HD 7770 which is faster and cheaper, but make sure you meet the power requirement. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127687&ignorebbr=1&cm_re=hd_7770-_-14-127-687-_-Product

bccorrupt · Jul 4, 2014

Whatever you get make sure it's a model with ddr5 ram, not ddr3. The 2GB won't matter, at this price range it won't be fast enough to use more than 1GB. In the same model of GPU the ddr5 version will be 30-40% faster. Also, the r7 250 is only about $10 more than a GT640 and its quite a bit faster so you might consider it instead.

Steel_Nugget · Jul 4, 2014

bccorrupt :

Yeah, I found a HD 7770 GHZ GDDR5 for $99 with a $15 rebate.

Phillip Corcoran · Jul 4, 2014

I assume it's 64-bit Windows? 32-bit Windows cannot address more than around 3.3 GB RAM.

If it is 64-bit Windows, be sure to install 64-bit Java as well as the 32-bit version: https://www.java.com/en/download/manual.jsp

bccorrupt · Jul 4, 2014

Steel_Nugget :

I was replying to OP with a better choice than a 640 ddr3 card at $70-$80. At $100 there are newer cards that are faster than a 7770 and use less power.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131564
http://www.ncixus.com/products/?usaffiliateid=1000031504&sku=94333&vpn=01G-P4-2751-KR&manufacture=eVGA&promoid=1060

filipinoy95 · Jul 4, 2014

Steel_Nugget :

filipinoy95 :

The GT 640 is a little more powerful then the APU so it might. First I would recomend checking the usage of the components. Windows 7 has a CPU, and Ram monitoring gadget so you could see if one of those gets fully used when making a call. Or get a program like Afterburner to see if you're GPU get's completely used. (I'm not sure if Afterburner will detect an APU) Also if you get that GPU 1gb of Vram should be enough if thats an option. Also if you live in the U.S check out newegg, you can get a HD 7770 which is faster and cheaper, but make sure you meet the power requirement. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127687&ignorebbr=1&cm_re=hd_7770-_-14-127-687-_-Product

Phillip Corcoran :

Thank you for the quick response! I have checked out the HD 7770 and I am considering that instead of the GT 640 now; however. I will still be open to suggestions. Thanks for your help!

Steel_Nugget · Jul 4, 2014

bccorrupt :

Steel_Nugget :

I was replying to OP with a better choice than a 640 ddr3 card at $70-$80. At $100 there are newer cards that are faster than a 7770 and use less power.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131564
http://www.ncixus.com/products/?usaffiliateid=1000031504&sku=94333&vpn=01G-P4-2751-KR&manufacture=eVGA&promoid=1060

He said his choice was a EVGA GT 640 DDr3 which is sold for $100. So I found a GPU in that price range. Also a R7 260x performs like a HD 7770 but consumes more power.

filipinoy95 · Jul 4, 2014

Phillip Corcoran :

Yes, she is running a 64-bit version of Windows 7.

bccorrupt · Jul 4, 2014

Steel_Nugget :

bccorrupt :

He said his choice was a EVGA GT 640 DDr3 which is sold for $100. So I found a GPU in that price range. Also a R7 260x performs like a HD 7770 but consumes more power.

The 260x is 30-40% faster in every game and uses the same power. The GTX750 is 50% faster and uses less power.
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/product/1044?vs=1079

Steel_Nugget · Jul 4, 2014

bccorrupt :

Steel_Nugget :

The 260x is 30-40% faster in every game and uses the same power. The GTX750 is 50% faster and uses less power.
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/product/1044?vs=1079

Benchmarks I saw showed them closer. Guess they were wrong. But the HD 7770 GHZ (One I listed) is cheaper after rebate.

bccorrupt · Jul 4, 2014

Steel_Nugget :

bccorrupt :

Steel_Nugget :

The 260x is 30-40% faster in every game and uses the same power. The GTX750 is 50% faster and uses less power.
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/product/1044?vs=1079

Benchmarks I saw showed them closer. Guess they were wrong. But the HD 7770 GHZ (One I listed) is cheaper after rebate.

They're both $84.99 after rebate and the 7770 has a shipping charge of $3.99. I'm done with this.

Steel_Nugget · Jul 4, 2014

bccorrupt :

Steel_Nugget :

bccorrupt :

Benchmarks I saw showed them closer. Guess they were wrong. But the HD 7770 GHZ (One I listed) is cheaper after rebate.

They're both $84.99 after rebate and the 7770 has a shipping charge of $3.99. I'm done with this.

Done with what exactly? I said you were right. No need to be an ass about it.

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