Just got a cheap PC.

[nicko11]

For 790$, and it seems to work alright.
I've looked a little into and it seems like a decent build, which has overclocking potential.

Specs:
Motherboard: ASUS M5A78L LE - ATX AM3+

GPU: XFX 6950

CPU: AMD FX 8120 with Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro Rev.2 - 92mm

Power Supply: Cooler Master GX Lite 600W - 120 mm

RAM: Kingston HyperX blu - 2x4GB DDR3 1600MHz

Tower: NZXT Classic Series H2 - ATX
(Tell me if i missed informing you about something.)

And i'm pretty happy for the 6950, since it can be unlocked to the 6970

But how about the CPU, is the cooler enough for a little overclocking or should i consider upgrading it? Also the tower taken into consideration, since it's a pretty decent one.

Taken into consideration just now, will the power supply be enough for an overclocked CPU + a 6950 modded card? and does the modding of the 6950 have any negative sides?

 

[wonder44]

From what i have read in these and also other forums, the 6950 & the 6970 are the same card basically just with different names and clock speeds. I dont see how there would be any issues with unlocking the card, however i dont agree its such a good idea. As for the CPU, you should be able to get away with 3.4-3.6Ghz. You cannot always be 100% certain on what temps you will get after your overclock. The best thing i suggest you do is raise the clock to 3.2Ghz, run a bench test and monitor temps. If they stay under 55c load, you may try raising the clock to 3.3-3.4ghz.

 

[nicko11]

From what i have read in these and also other forums, the 6950 & the 6970 are the same card basically just with different names and clock speeds. I dont see how there would be any issues with unlocking the card, however i dont agree its such a good idea. As for the CPU, you should be able to get away with 3.4-3.6Ghz. You cannot always be 100% certain on what temps you will get after your overclock. The best thing i suggest you do is raise the clock to 3.2Ghz, run a bench test and monitor temps. If they stay under 55c load, you may try raising the clock to 3.3-3.4ghz.

Thank you for your reply.

I'll try to raise it to 3.2Ghz, and see if i'm good to go.

But how come about the GPU? Not familiar with unlocking them, so i could use some details.

 

[wonder44]

Ok i so now the GPU. i think you would be better off just overclocking the card. As flashing it to a 6970 will not give any real performance gains. And you also have a 50/50% chance it will not work, and MAY, wreck the card intirely. You can overclock the 6950 to the same speeds as the 6970 without flashing the cards BIOS. If im correct, the hardware its self is slightly different between the two, so you could run into problems with drivers crashing. I sort of see it as trying to flash a core i5 to a core i7 CPU. it just doesnt really work if you understand what i mean. I will look for some guides for you however if you still want to go ahead with the flashing process

 

[wonder44]

You may try this http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/329254-33-still-flash-6950-6970 i am not 100% if this applies as this is a 2GB version of the 6950, i am not sure if you have a 1GB or 2GB?

 

[DJDeCiBeL]

The newer 6950's can't be unlocked, as they're laser cut to keep you from doing so (most of them).

If you're lucky enough to find a first release 6950, however, it can be unlocked.

 

[wonder44]

Also DJDeCiBel has a good point, you can only do this if you have one of the first release versions

 

[nicko11]

Ok i so now the GPU. i think you would be better off just overclocking the card. As flashing it to a 6970 will not give any real performance gains. And you also have a 50/50% chance it will not work, and MAY, wreck the card intirely. You can overclock the 6950 to the same speeds as the 6970 without flashing the cards BIOS. If im correct, the hardware its self is slightly different between the two, so you could run into problems with drivers crashing. I sort of see it as trying to flash a core i5 to a core i7 CPU. it just doesnt really work if you understand what i mean. I will look for some guides for you however if you still want to go ahead with the flashing process

I'd rather overclock it then, if i achieve the same results or even better, with less risk.

And it's a 2 gb.

 

[wonder44]

Ok well the thread on the link may be of some help if decide to go with it. But yes, overclocking the card seems the best idea