Upgrading my build.

[Tonytoot]

Hello, once again tomshardware. I am trying to find the best upgrade I can get. Currently I have the powercolor radeon 7750 DDR5, amd phenom II x4 965 BE, Antec 450w psu, 4 gb ram, GA-78LMT-S2P. I want to upgrade CPU and graphics card for under, maybe, $200 - $100. I don't want bottle necking so tell me what I need.

 

[lt_dan_zsu]

If all you have is $200 to upgrade the gpu and cpu, there is not point. The best upgrade you will get is a 7850. Which would be a decent upgrade, but I think I would upgrade your ram, and then wait a bit.

 

[andrewcarr]

What was said above it true but if you do want better FPS I'd encourage you to get the 7850 over what you have. The CPU you have at the moment is fine but if you don't have a CPU cooler you could add one of those. I'd get another 4 GB of ram also.
Parts list
Memory- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226249
GPU- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125419
CPU cooler- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099

If you want to do the GPU upgrade first then go for the others in the future that'll also be fine.

 

[CaptainTom]

Hello, once again tomshardware. I am trying to find the best upgrade I can get. Currently I have the powercolor radeon 7750 DDR5, amd phenom II x4 965 BE, Antec 450w psu, 4 gb ram, GA-78LMT-S2P. I want to upgrade CPU and graphics card for under, maybe, $200 - $100. I don't want bottle necking so tell me what I need.

Yeah your CPU should be good for another 2 years. Your 7750 is a good card, but get a 7870 if you want a mega upgrade.

 

[andrewcarr]

He can't get a 7870 without spending $220 and he's also need a new PSU which is another $50.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027

 

[CaptainTom]

He can't get a 7870 without spending $220 and he's also need a new PSU which is another $50.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027

The 7870 uses about 140-160 as reviews have shown. His CPU OC'd could maybe use 200w if crazy as hell overclocked. That means he has about 100w left for the rest of the system which is plenty. You can easily run a 7870 on his PSU, it is a good one.

Also if the OP can spend $200, he can spend $220 lol.

 

[andrewcarr]

You're forgetting it doesn't have the correct number of PCI-E connectors. Yes you can go and say he should buy an adapter but I strongly advise against getting one of those crappy things. I'd never trust one of those in my computer and neither should the OP.

 

[maxinexus]

Just get a new video card. 7870 is over $200 more like 220 after rebate but skipping few lunches will get you extra $$ to get it.
Your PSU should manage it. Your CPU and Memory is OK for now.

 

[dudewitbow]

id recommend saving a tiny bit more for a 660(or waiting patiently for an 8850) to see a pretty large performance boost.

 

[andrewcarr]

Although waiting and saving up would be nice if you look at the launch prices of the 7850 and 7870 they were $250 and $350 respectively, so there would be a good chance the prices would go up to about there again.

 

[Tonytoot]

Thanks for all the quick replies. I'm thinking about saving up because my birthday is shortly after Christmas. So I'm getting the 7850. Is that compatible with what I currently have?

 

[andrewcarr]

Yes that is compatible with everything.

 

[CaptainTom]

id recommend saving a tiny bit more for a 660(or waiting patiently for an 8850) to see a pretty large performance boost.

But the 660 is a lot weaker.

 

[CaptainTom]

You're forgetting it doesn't have the correct number of PCI-E connectors. Yes you can go and say he should buy an adapter but I strongly advise against getting one of those crappy things. I'd never trust one of those in my computer and neither should the OP.

The card comes with an adapter. Did you read my math? Add. It. Up. He is fine.

 

[andrewcarr]

I had one of these arguments earlier today here's the link. I know they come with the adapters but that still doesn't mean you should use them. I'd never have that in my build and if you would I lose all respect for your recommendations. Would you honestly run those adapters with your 7970 if in reality a 450W PSU could power it?

Other Forum
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/356448-28-advice

 

[CaptainTom]

I had one of these arguments earlier today here's the link. I know they come with the adapters but that still doesn't mean you should use them. I'd never have that in my build and if you would I lose all respect for your recommendations. Would you honestly run those adapters with your 7970 if in reality a 450W PSU could power it?

Other Forum
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/356448-28-advice

Are you the recommendation master? No I wouldn't because a 450w isn't strong enough lol. With his CPU I would say a 500w is probably ok. Also I ran 2x6950's OC on a 600w with zero issues. EVER. I of coarse had an i5-3570k running at 55w though so I wouldn't recommend for his CPU.

Oh and those 6950's were using those adapters. If you can actually do math, and your PSU has good user ratings, you don't have to overkill.


OP don't listen to this guy. These are the people that make you pay extra when you never need to. We all like overkill, but it is called over kill for a reason buddy.

 

[andrewcarr]

I'm just saying that I personally wouldn't ever use the adapters and I don't recommend it because of that. Quite a few members here don't recommend that in fact.

 

[CaptainTom]

I'm just saying that I personally wouldn't ever use the adapters and I don't recommend it because of that. Quite a few members here don't recommend that in fact.

I don't get it. What is wrong with adapters? Using them isn't cheating lol. Companies put moled connectors on their psu's so you can power anything with an adapter. That way they don't have to worry about people who might want 2 pcie connections/ extra sata power/ more fan power headed/ etc. People can power anything they want.

Also there are MANY people who will say I am right because I have based my case on personal experience and MATH! You just base it on worry and overcompensation.

 

[lt_dan_zsu]

+1 to captain tom

 

[andrewcarr]

Whatever. My point still stands regardless of what others say. I say there is a reason they don't design them like that such as the other connectors not being on the same rail so you could overload it.

 

[CaptainTom]

Whatever. My point still stands regardless of what others say. I say there is a reason they don't design them like that such as the other connectors not being on the same rail so you could overload it.

There is also a reason 99% of graphics cards comes with a converter. It IS standard practice.

By your logic this 700w 80+ Bronze PSU couldn't run 2x7870 CF since it only has 2xpcie connectors even though the OP would be using about 500w total.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171037


That's 200w under the amount it is BUILT to give. I am not saying people should cut it close by any means, but people like you put a $100 PSU in a $600 build, and I just don't want you to influence others to waste their hard earned money.

Yeah your point still stands, but it is a really stupid point. **Drops Mic**

 

[andrewcarr]

But that's because CoolerMaster PSU's are bad. Any good make should have 4 PCI-E connectors on it. For example this cheaper model by Corsair.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139040

As for throwing away money there's a reason I normally recommend the CX500 it's much cheaper than most but still a great PSU, that doesn't cost anything near $100.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027

 

[dudewitbow]

There are a few cases where using the molex to pci-e connectors are feasable.
1) gpus that are borderline 1 pin to 2 pin or 0 pin to 1 pin(i.e 1 pin 7750, 6870, 560/460)
2) Psus who cut a cable for cost effective reasons(i.e antec earthwatts 430)

generally, its recommended that you should not use the 6 pin, but there are fine cases where it would not hurt as much.


though with the 360w max load on 12v rail(30a) on Antec-VP 450, a 7870 paired along with a 965 be is cutting it pretty close. pushing any overclocking is something i wouldn't recommend. but its possible to run things at stock maybe.

 

[CaptainTom]

There are a few cases where using the molex to pci-e connectors are feasable.
1) gpus that are borderline 1 pin to 2 pin or 0 pin to 1 pin(i.e 1 pin 7750, 6870, 560/460)
2) Psus who cut a cable for cost effective reasons(i.e antec earthwatts 430)

generally, its recommended that you should not use the 6 pin, but there are fine cases where it would not hurt as much.


though with the 360w max load on 12v rail(30a) on Antec-VP 450, a 7870 paired along with a 965 be is cutting it pretty close. pushing any overclocking is something i wouldn't recommend. but its possible to run things at stock maybe.

I have said all I have to say. I ran 2x6950's in CF on a 600w. That required two of those "terrible converters." Not once did I have any power or performance issues. My PSU didn't even get hot.

I guarantee he would be fine.

 

[Tonytoot]

You think it would be smart to get a gtx card?