Help replacing integrated 4200 with 6950 gpu (temporarily)

[moldyglint]

I currently have a standard $650 desktop computer with integrated Radeon HD 4200 graphics. I have two 6950's awaiting crossfire for my new build, but while my build is on hold I was wondering how to use one 6950 in my current computer while I wait. As far as I know I have to disable the 4200, but I don't know where exactly to plug in the 6950, and how/when to disable the 4200. Also would it be as easy to switch back to how it was when I take the 6950 back out for my new build and activate the 4200 again. If anyone understands what I mean I appreciate any help.

 

[gnomio]

Whats your native. Cpu? what mobo do you have currently? Size of your psu?

 

[moldyglint]

Whats your native. Cpu? what mobo do you have currently? Size of your psu?

I've already checked into most of that. its a phenom quad core, cpu is runnin bout 3.00 GHz, not sure exactly about psu, but should be strong enough for one 6950, at least for a short time. It's really just a test to see if itll even work until i finish my other build. i just dont want to mess with the integrated 4200 and installing the 6950 totally unaware of how exactly to do it. i think the psu is strong enough for one 6950 though.

 

[ilysaml]

That's pretty simply, you install the HD 6950 in the PCIE 2.0 X16 slot, you plug in the 2 x 6 pin PCIE, you hook your monitor cable on it and you power the PC.. Thus the integrated 4200 is disabled.
When you go to windows environment quickly install the latest driver for the HD 6950 and you're done.

 

[moldyglint]

That's pretty simply, you install the HD 6950 in the PCIE 2.0 X16 slot, you plug in the 2 x 6 pin PCIE, you hook your monitor cable on it and you power the PC.. Thus the integrated 4200 is disabled.
When you go to windows environment quickly install the latest driver for the HD 6950 and you're done.

Thanks, I tried it all earlier using a video. I think the only problem is my PSU ended up too weak. If i read it right, 195-208 watts max or something like that. I hear one of these 6950's needs a 500 watt psu. So with that, I'm out to buy a psu!.. It seems you might know a thing or two about PSU's and all.. If so, would the one in this link work, for crossfiring 6950's? I hear they need to be "CF certified" is this true and what exactly does that mean/how do I tell? Here is the one I'm looking at for crossfiring the two 6950's:

http://www.amazon.com/Supply-EPS12V-SLI-ready-PCI-Express-KenTek/dp/B00596U0YQ/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1319833857&sr=8-6

I very much appreciate anymore help, thanks everyone.
(I also realize the psu on the website says quad-SLI ready, which I realize is an NVIDIA feature.. So maybe this psu just isn't meant for a 6950.. or crossfiring 6950's at least.. even though it has two 6 pins..)

 

[benski]

I wouldn't buy that power supply. It would probably work but who knows how long. I would get something like this from a more trusted brand:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371051

 

[moldyglint]

I wouldn't buy that power supply. It would probably work but who knows how long. I would get something like this from a more trusted brand:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371051

Alright! My last question for this is, well I see its CF certified and has plenty of the 6 pin and all for crossfire.. But is 750 Watts enough to crossfire two 6950's? I thought I remember reading somewhere that one 6950 needs 500 watts alone, so like 1000W for two.. Would the 750 run two 6950's? I'm not just crossfiring though, im crossfiring to power eyefinity with three 23" monitors, hoping to get smooth fps on ultra settings for games like bf3. I don't know if that will also change how much power I need. Thanks for all the help.

 

[ilysaml]

+1 for benski post, something important you need to know is that you never want to go cheap in PSUs particularly, they could fire out all your system at a glance.
the one you linked is unknown brand and for sure it doesn't deliver the written wattage, any branded high quality 1K PSU would range $180 to 200$.

Yes 750W is enough for HD 6950s in CF, AMD suggest 500W to cover some certain matters no need to be explained, but the HD 6950 in full system load consumes about 225W (375W for the whole system) so even a 650-700W high quality branded PSU would power 2 HDs in CF here is one to go with
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371049

If you wanna spend more to get a Modular PSU (allows for better cable management and high airflow) here's one
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153127&Tpk=XT%20775W

 

[moldyglint]

+1 for benski post, something important you need to know is that you never want to go cheap in PSUs particularly, they could fire out all your system at a glance.
the one you linked is unknown brand and for sure it doesn't deliver the written wattage, any branded high quality 1K PSU would range $180 to 200$.

Yes 750W is enough for HD 6950s in CF, AMD suggest 500W to cover some certain matters no need to be explained, but the HD 6950 in full system load consumes about 225W (375W for the whole system) so even a 650-700W high quality branded PSU would power 2 HDs in CF here is one to go with
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371049

If you wanna spend more to get a Modular PSU (allows for better cable management and high airflow) here's one
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153127&Tpk=XT%20775W

Well.. I'm going for a pretty nice build, so might as well spend the extra $20 for better cable management and high airflow and all. Thanks so much for your help, and thanks to everyone else who replied too, you're all helping so much with my build. (I'm really a beginner with PC's in general, except for like a week ago when I decided I wanted to build a computer I read about building for 20 hours + and 15 hours the next day haha. So all I really know is the basic parts and names.) So thanks again for everything.

 

[moldyglint]

+1 for benski post, something important you need to know is that you never want to go cheap in PSUs particularly, they could fire out all your system at a glance.
the one you linked is unknown brand and for sure it doesn't deliver the written wattage, any branded high quality 1K PSU would range $180 to 200$.

Yes 750W is enough for HD 6950s in CF, AMD suggest 500W to cover some certain matters no need to be explained, but the HD 6950 in full system load consumes about 225W (375W for the whole system) so even a 650-700W high quality branded PSU would power 2 HDs in CF here is one to go with
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371049

If you wanna spend more to get a Modular PSU (allows for better cable management and high airflow) here's one
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153127&Tpk=XT%20775W

I guess the credit card thing aint goin so well lol.

I hear Corsair is a good brand for computer parts, would this be good, or is it crap?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Corsair+-+Enthusiast+Series+750-Watt+ATX/EPS+CPU+Power+Supply/2193311.p?id=1218313328712&skuId=2193311&st=750 watt power supply&cp=1&lp=3

 

[ilysaml]

more than great

 

[moldyglint]

more than great

ok, so i ended up getting an 850 watt psu, and i tried it with my 6950, not changing anything else.
however once i plugged in the video card and turned on the computer, but im getting no signal to the monitor (connecting monitor to the onboard video first as i read in a guide to disable it, then restart computer and switch to the video card)
Could this be my Mobo? im not sure what kind of mobo it is, im currently on a laptop not at home.. I cleaned the ram and everything, im stumped. the processor is running at 2.90 ghz if i remember correctly, which as far as i know should be fine for one 6950, (i have an intel i5 2500k for when i build my new computer, i just dont want to add all that to this one before i sell it)

So all i can think of is the mobo, if you also think it might be, do you have any reccomendations for mobo's to use with crossfire 6950's along with eyefinity and compatible with intel i5 2500k?
Thanks for everything in advance.
Like maybe this one?
http://www.amazon.com/MSI-990FXA-GD80-Socket-CrossFireX-Motherboard/dp/B005585BO2
I dont know if MSI makes good motherboards or not, I thought it might be good though its crossfire ready and My 6950 is also MSI which may make it easier.. But even if it is a good mobo, is it compatible with an intel core i5 2500k also?

 

[ilysaml]

The MOBO you linked is for AMD CPUs only, you can't put the i5 2500K in an AMD platform, you'll have to buy a Socket LGA 1155 based MOBO, check Tomshardware article for reviewing some LGA 1155 boards.

 

[moldyglint]

The MOBO you linked is for AMD CPUs only, you can't put the i5 2500K in an AMD platform, you'll have to buy a Socket LGA 1155 based MOBO, check Tomshardware article for reviewing some LGA 1155 boards.

I looked into some LGA 1155 boards.. I dont know exactly what to look for after that, but i found this one thats intel and sli/xfire ready, is Asus a good brand for boards?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131792

 

[ilysaml]

yes looks decent and got awesome rating.