Sign in with
Sign up | Sign in
Your question

Thinking of getting a HD 5770

Tags:
  • Radeon
  • GPUs
  • Graphics
  • Product
Last response: in Graphics & Displays
Share
March 1, 2011 7:55:18 PM

Hello, hope I'm posting in the right forum. So I'm thinking of getting a 5770 GPU and I'm not really computer savvy so I'd like to ask more knowledgeable people what else would I need to buy along with it to make it work on my system.
My current specs:
Motherboard: MSI MS-7346
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
GPU: Nvidia 8600 GTS 512MB
PSU: LPK2-30, 420W (It's like 8 years old, my PSU died so I am now using this one from a 10~ year old computer. I'm guessing I'll have to replace the PSU too if I want the 5770 to function properly, hopefully not though as I am on a very limited budget beyond the 5770)

I'm reading that GPUS these days need an extra power connector or something, I have no idea what that is, and don't know if I already have it ?

What I'm asking is with my current system what would I need to buy/change/upgrade to be able to use the 5770 GPU ? Like is the motherboard compatible and stuff.

More about : thinking 5770

March 1, 2011 7:58:30 PM

you probably need to upgrade your PSU to be able to run a 5770, what resolution you got?
March 1, 2011 8:30:42 PM

1680x1050. Do I need anything else besides upgrading the PSU ?
Related resources
March 1, 2011 8:54:37 PM

Thanks, I was worried that my motherboard might be incompatible seeing as it favors NVIDIA being SLI compatible and not crossfire. So does this card not require that extra power connector that I've been reading ?

March 1, 2011 9:03:57 PM

It does need a single PCIe auxiliary power connector.
March 1, 2011 9:05:56 PM

The 5770 will have one additional 6 pin power adapter (since the PCI-e bus can only provide up to 75Watts of power through the slot and the card needs up to 108W when running under load (most newer GPUs will need more than 75W) the manufacturers now add additional power inputs directly on the video card. An additional 6 pin adapter can add another 75W - an 8 pin on the cards that use them can provide up to another 150W and very high power usage cards may have both a 6 pin and an 8 pin providing up to 225W in addition to the 75W the slot can provide.

Most newer PSUs have wiring for these plugs so you just plug the proper plug into the video card - if using an older PSU that does not have a 6 pin connector the video card normally ships with an adapter that can change 2 older Molex connectors into a 6 pin for use (just be sure the molex connections you use do not have splitters that split off to run other components like the HDD etc. and they work fine)
March 1, 2011 9:24:37 PM

JDFan said:
The 5770 will have one additional 6 pin power adapter (since the PCI-e bus can only provide up to 75Watts of power through the slot and the card needs up to 108W when running under load (most newer GPUs will need more than 75W) the manufacturers now add additional power inputs directly on the video card. An additional 6 pin adapter can add another 75W - an 8 pin on the cards that use them can provide up to another 150W and very high power usage cards may have both a 6 pin and an 8 pin providing up to 225W in addition to the 75W the slot can provide.

Most newer PSUs have wiring for these plugs so you just plug the proper plug into the video card - if using an older PSU that does not have a 6 pin connector the video card normally ships with an adapter that can change 2 older Molex connectors into a 6 pin for use (just be sure the molex connections you use do not have splitters that split off to run other components like the HDD etc. and they work fine)


Well my 8600 already has one of those that splits into 2 so I guess that's not an issue in case the GPU doesn't come with it I can use the one from the 8600, thanks for all the help guys.

One last thing, should my current PSU technically hold the 5770 ?
March 1, 2011 9:27:37 PM

i would not trust an 8 year old 420w PSU top power a 5770, i really recommend getting a new one.
March 1, 2011 11:37:31 PM

Unfortunately PSU's in my max budget are like the Rasurbo Silent&Power DLP-45.1, 450W
March 2, 2011 12:08:51 AM

Couldn't find a solid spec on the 8600GTS for power draw but looks like 75watts. I know the 5770 draws 104watts, so, very little difference. Difference looks to be about 29 watts.

Also tried the Antec power supply calculator for your system:

http://www.antec.outervision.com/PSUEngine

With 8600GTS 288 watts

With 5770 315 watts


Difference is ONLY 27 watts.....


SOOOOO, if the 8600GTS runs with your current power supply you SHOULD run fine with a 5770....


NOTE: if system has trouble under heavy load, set the VSync ON in your game that will limit the FPS to 60 FPS and that will use far less power than if your running 80 or 90 FPS..... and that may fix any troubles
!