RAM/GPU upgrade/add for Asus MB and AMD CPU?

Johnny Joaozinhe · Sep 7, 2016

Hi there!
I've been pondering a RAM upgrade/add (only 4GB right now), and possibly another GPU since mine is Crossfire enabled. I'm running Windows 7 Ultimate x64.

My system:
- ASUS M4A79XTD EVO AM3 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard
- AMD Phenom II X3 720 Black Edition Heka Triple-Core 2.8 GHz Socket AM3 95W HDZ720WFK3DGI Processor - OEM (4th core enabled)
- Sunbeam CR-CCTF 120 mm Core-Contact Freezer CPU Cooler
- OCZ AMD Black Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
- HIS HD 5000 Radeon HD 5770 DirectX 11 H577FM1GD 1GB 128-Bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX
- SAMSUNG 850 PRO 2.5" 128GB SATA III 3-D Vertical Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) MZ-7KE128BW

I'm a somewhat casual gamer, now playing mostly Spintires and Mount&Blade Warband, which with mods can become heavy.

The reason I'm pondering this is I've been reading Win 7 32bit is still better than 64bit with only 4 GB RAM, and also while playing these games my PC seems quite taxed (noisy fans and hot)

I realize this a somewhat outdated system (built it in 2010, except for SSD in 2015), but it's been serving me well, although I'd like to see how much I can maximize it's processing power/speed. That said, I'd also like to try and overclock the CPU (something I've always thought of doing, but never got around to actually try).

What RAM do you think would be a good match for my system?
Is an add-on to my current RAM (say two more 8GB sticks for a total of 20GB) and GPU (going Crossfire) a good idea?
Any ideas for overclocking CPU?

Your input is greatly appreciated!
Johnny Joao

basroil · Sep 7, 2016

That computer isn't really worth spending any more money on, it's outdated as hell.

If anything, just reinstall windows with 64bit instead, you'll be able to use more than 2gb total memory per process (huge boost for games)

Tradesman1 · Sep 7, 2016

The mobo will do 16GB in a 4x4GB config, (doesn't take 8GB sticks), I'd maybe give thought to a DRAM upgrade, but even that means buying a new OS, the OS could go forward to a new rig, but (yes another but, if you were then to upgrade the rig, would be best to simply go skylake and DDR4. There's nothing in the AMD inventory that's really worth upgrading to, sorry.

Johnny Joaozinhe · Sep 7, 2016

basroil :

I already have windows 7 64 bit installed.

basroil · Sep 7, 2016

Johnny Joaozinhe :

Reformatting always helps clean out garbage though

Johnny Joaozinhe · Sep 7, 2016

Tradesman1 :

So you don't think another 8GB (2x4) for a total of 12 GB, or a compatible GPU for a dual GPU config would be worth it? Or is it the problem that there is nothing compatible out there?
I'm not really looking to get a super machine, but rather just to realize the potential of this one on the cheaper side.
Like I said I am but a casual gamer.

Thanks for your input!

Tradesman1 · Sep 7, 2016

One thing is there's no guarantees when mixing sets of DRAM, but even if they won't play you'd still have 8GB which is a step up and not a real big investment. Can probably find another 5770 for XFire for a good price on ebay, to be honest I'm not sure if your CPU would bottleneck it or not. Already having 64bit Win is a plus

If me, think I'd try socking away towards a newer build

Johnny Joaozinhe · Sep 8, 2016

Tradesman1 :

Thank you, that is quite helpful.
Would overclocking the CPU help with the possible bottleneck issue? Can anyone confirm if bottlenecking would indeed be an issue?
Anyone have suggestions on 2x4 RAM compatible with mine?

Thanks!

Tradesman1 · Sep 8, 2016

OCing the CPU can help yes, as far as mixing DRAM, can try, as mentioned, no guarantees of them playing, if you try and have problems, give a shout and we can try adjustments, DRAM is sort of a specialty of mine

Johnny Joaozinhe · Sep 9, 2016

Tradesman1 :

This GPU looks good at only $34 in ebay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/XFX-ATI-Radeon-HD-5770-HD-577A-ZHFC-1GB-1GB-max-GDDR5-SDRAM-PCI-Express-/162184037253?hash=item25c2ec0385:g

qUAAOSwgmJXw3sz
I guess it would work with mine in Xfire no?

Tradesman1 · Sep 9, 2016

No link to GPU

Johnny Joaozinhe · Sep 9, 2016

Tradesman1 :

For some reason the link is white so you can't see it, but I did click it. Here it is again:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/XFX-ATI-Radeon-HD-5770-HD-577A-ZHFC-1GB-1GB-max-GDDR5-SDRAM-PCI-Express-/162184037253?hash=item25c2ec0385:g

qUAAOSwgmJXw3sz

Tradesman1 · Sep 9, 2016

Magically hiding it, hey

Found it and yes that should work I would think

Johnny Joaozinhe · Sep 9, 2016

Tradesman1 :

There's also this at $30:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/HIS-Radeon-HD-5770-Graphics-Card-GPU-DirectX-11-H577FK1GD-1GB-128-Bit-GDDR5-/262617088799?hash=item3d2532c31f:g:188AAOSwMgdXzacX
and this at auction:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/252527437855?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&fromMakeTrack=true

Is there any advantage to any one of them over the others?

Tradesman1 · Sep 9, 2016

Not really if running XFire - the two cards will only run as fast as they can when together

Johnny Joaozinhe · Sep 9, 2016

Tradesman1 :

What about if running as stand alone? In case mine burns out lol

Tradesman1 · Sep 9, 2016

As long as it's a working card, yes should be fine by itself

Johnny Joaozinhe · Sep 9, 2016

Tradesman1 :

I did an ebay search for "sdram ddr3 1600 pc3 12800 8gb 2x4", to match the stats of mine (not sure if that matters for compatibility):
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_sop=15&_nkw=sdram+ddr3+1600+pc3+12800+8gb+2x4&rt=nc&LH_BIN=1

I'm leaning towards the 1st on the list, since it is the cheapest:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/G-SKILL-AEGIS-8GB-2-x-4GB-240-Pin-DDR3-SDRAM-DDR3-1600-PC3-12800-Desktop-Mem-/182267028951?hash=item2a6ff625d7:g:FHIAAOSwdIFXy1Za

What do you think?

Tradesman1 · Sep 9, 2016

Can give it a try

If problems give me a shout

Johnny Joaozinhe · Sep 9, 2016

Tradesman1 :

Can't seem to find out if the RAM I have right now is UDIMM or just DIMM... looks like they are not compatible with each other?

Tradesman1 · Sep 9, 2016

Most all consumer DRAM is U (unbuffered), mostly see Buffered with ECC sticks

Johnny Joaozinhe · Oct 6, 2016

Ok so I received and installed everything.

Good news is the RAM worked right away! Now zooming along with 12 GB =D

I installed another 5770, and it works great, but came to find out my original one was running way too hot (idle around 60C and 100C+ under load, even caused system shutdown with the 3 beeps a few times) I put on new thermal paste, which fixed the overheating issue(now around 40C idle, 70-80C under load)

Now, PC works wonderfully with the 'new' 5770 alone, but when I add my original 5770 and crossfire them there are always artifacts, (in games, not on desktop) even though there is no more overheating issues.

I'm thinking either I have a burned out original 5770, or my 550W PSU doesn't have enough juice...

Fyi I have the latest drivers (AMD Catalyst 15.7.1) but haven't used driver sweeper or anything.

Thoughts?

Tradesman1 · Oct 6, 2016

For XFire need more PSU, a single card calls for a 500 WATT, would want about a 600-650

Johnny Joaozinhe · Oct 7, 2016

Tradesman1 :

That makes sense, although I wonder if the original 5770 has much more life in it, since while in crossfire it is constantly running 5-10C hotter than the newer one, with marginally higher loads too, all the while being in the 2nd slot (secondary card)... or could this also be due to lack of juice of PSU?

Though it is worthy of note that being the secondary it is very close to the bottom of the PC case (less airflow).

Johnny Joaozinhe · Oct 7, 2016

Tradesman1 :

My PSU is an Antec NeoPower 550, which according to this:
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/antec-neopower-550-power-supply-review/10/
can actually produce 650W

So I guess the problem is the GPU itself?

RAM/GPU upgrade/add for Asus MB and AMD CPU?

Distinguished

Glorious

Legenda in Aeternum

Distinguished

Glorious

Distinguished

Legenda in Aeternum

Distinguished

Legenda in Aeternum

Distinguished

Legenda in Aeternum

Distinguished

Legenda in Aeternum

Distinguished

Legenda in Aeternum

Distinguished

Legenda in Aeternum

Distinguished

Legenda in Aeternum

Distinguished

Legenda in Aeternum

Distinguished

Legenda in Aeternum

Distinguished

Distinguished

Share this page