I need some help ! APU

EliasOw · Dec 22, 2014

Hey ! I just figured out that I don't have a graphic card in my PC (integrated ). I came here to get some help because I want to add a new graphic card and add some RAM !

My PC specs:
http://www.cnet.com/products/lenovo-h415-3099-a-series-a6-3600-2-1-ghz-4-gb-500-gb/specs/

I looked in the forum and some people said to add the HD 6670 but I don't know which one to choose :

http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/xfx-xfx-amd-radeon-hd-6670-2gb-gddr3-pci-e-video-card-hd667xclf3/10270151.aspx?path=81df2f4e63e52d26ba1bc1d6999e39a7en02&lang=fr-CA&pcname=&sku=10270151

http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/amd-amd-radeon-hd6670-2gb-gddr3-pci-e-video-card-a6670pe32g/10191076.aspx?path=92804910a9a5425829b8d341016dc23een02&lang=fr-CA&pcname=&sku=10191076

Same for the RAM, there is alot of choices !

Thank you

MundoDragon · Dec 22, 2014

It would help if you told us what you plan to do with the graphics card. Are you wanting to get into hardcore gaming? Just looking for a casual upgrade from the integrated graphics? As for RAM, just get a decent 8 GB dual channel kit and you'll be good (unless you're planning on editing, then you may need more). Some I would suggest are Kingston HyperX Fury, Gskill RipJaws or even the Sniper Series. You can get a decent kit for less than $100 USD. I would get at least 1866 Mhz, as that what is currently in your system. You may even be able to keep that stick for a total of 12 GB if your mobo has enough slots.

EliasOw · Dec 22, 2014

Yeah, I want to play some new games with a 1280x1024 resolution (Medium/High). I think the HD 6670 is descent with the crossfire but I am not sure

MundoDragon · Dec 22, 2014

I'm not really experienced with AMD GPU's (Nvidia man, myself), but as far as I'm aware, the 6670 is a bit outdated. However, it is a bit cheap. If you do go with that, I just wouldn't expect much longevity from it. It may be a good starting place to bust into the discreet graphics market though. Again, if you were Nvidia, I would be able offer better advice. Good luck.

EDIT: Just to clarify, Crossfire is not a feature of any specific single card. Crossfire means two or more identical cards working in tandem to boost performance. In order to achieve this, you would have to have a compatible motherboard and power supply.

Lickmykeyboard · Dec 22, 2014

The list of cards that can crossfire with that card are 6450, 6570, or 6670. So the 6670 would be best for that first gen apu, I would just get the XFX one it has a better warranty and I've attempted buying that other card before and it failed right away in my htpc and they didn't honor the warranty.

EliasOw · Dec 22, 2014

@MundoDragon
Thank you for your help but for the memory there is two models :

1866MHz PC3-14900 and 1866MHz PC3-15000, which one should I get ?

@Lickmykeyboard

Should I change my power supply ?

Lickmykeyboard · Dec 22, 2014

Don't change the power supply, and if want to upgrade the memory you will need to buy a kit because they probably used their generic brand of memory and it is never a good idea to mix and match because they won't play nice together most of the time.

MundoDragon · Dec 22, 2014

EliasOw :

It doesn't really matter, as long as it is a decent brand. One may just be slightly faster due to cas timing, but I doubt you'd ever notice it, so I'd go with the cheapest.

EliasOw · Dec 22, 2014

MundoDragon :

My motherboard is a LENOVO H415(AMD A55 chipset), I don't know about the power supply

badboyrog2 · Dec 22, 2014

cfm1d3m mainboard specs
Memory
2 * 240-pin DDR3 DIMM slots Supports Dual Channel DDR3 1600/1333 MHz non-ECC, un-buffered memory (Max 8GB)

Expansion Slots
1 * PCI Express x16 (2.0)
3 * PCI Express x1 (2.0)

MundoDragon · Dec 22, 2014

badboyrog2 :

So that means no Crossfire with that board. Also, I'm sure the board supports overclocked RAM, as you currently have 1866 in there now. Might be safe and look up the compatibility chart just to make sure. One 2 x 4GB (8 GB) would max it out.

Lickmykeyboard · Dec 22, 2014

Just get the video card and a 8 gig 1866 kit, the memory that comes with your system is 1866 it will work.

EliasOw · Dec 22, 2014

badboyrog2 :

Lickmykeyboard :

Ok but no need to change the power supply ?

MundoDragon · Dec 22, 2014

The recommended wattage for the HD 6670 is 400w. Your current 180w would need to be replaced.

Lickmykeyboard · Dec 22, 2014

The recommended power supply for that card is way over kill the processor that they have only draws about 60w under full load and it runs off the pci-e slot which means the total power draw of the card can't be more than 75w so the total power consumption would be 135w. So just add 30w for the other stuff and we still are under the 180w mark

MundoDragon · Dec 22, 2014

Meh, I still wouldn't play around when it came to power. Could save some headache later. What you are suggesting, Lick, is that the PSU be under constant full load. But if it's not in the budget, I suppose you could try. Just don't be surprised if you have instability issues.

Lickmykeyboard · Dec 22, 2014

They won't if you ever have owned a Lenovo desktop they only advertise their systems with the true wattage. Their power supply is probably a 230w but Lenovo will only list it as being 180w it will be just fine for that type of system.

MundoDragon · Dec 22, 2014

Well, you got me there. I can't remember the last time I've bought a pre-built PC. Probably some time in the mid 90's.

Lickmykeyboard · Dec 22, 2014

I haven't owned one either but when I worked for in the networking/help desk for a dental office they had about 25 of them, I was questioning the weak power supplies also until I did some testing at home and some research and figured it out.

EliasOw · Dec 23, 2014

Hey ! I was going to buy it then I saw this :

Power Supply Requirements 400 W

http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/xfx-xfx-amd-radeon-hd-6670-2gb-gddr3-pci-e-video-card-hd667xclf3/10270151.aspx?path=81df2f4e63e52d26ba1bc1d6999e39a7en02&lang=en-CA&pcname=&sku=10270151

Lickmykeyboard · Dec 23, 2014

If you read the real power draw of both your video card and processor I said that is extreme overkill, your power supply is fine.

EliasOw · Dec 28, 2014

Hi ! I installed the graphic card but I need to enable the onboard graphics in the bios for this to work. I am having trouble doing this due to the fact that there is no such setting in the bios for lenovo utility setup. I do not have that option in my bios, so i am stuck with what to do since I need to enable it. Thank you

MundoDragon · Dec 29, 2014

How are you viewing the BIOS? If it is through the integrated graphics, then it is already enabled. If it's through the discreet card, no need to do anything, as it's already working. I'm a bit confused here.

I need some help ! APU

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