Got AMD A8 3870 and want to upgrade graphics

[polifinka]

Hya guys!

Last year I built a budget system with following specs:

CPU: AMD A8 3870
Mobo: Asus F1A75-V PRO
RAM: 8 GB 666 MHz
PWS: Corsair CX430

Back then I thought I wouldn't be interested in playing system demanding games anymore... Well, I was wrong. I'd love to add some extra kick to my rig, so I was thinking about buying external graphic card. I know that there's a possibility to buy a 6xxx series Radeon and run it in dual mode with the one embedded in A 8 3870. The problem is that I'm not really sure if this will boost my system enough.

Games I'm eager to play: Witcher 2, Diablo 3 (with better than the lowest settings) and Mass Effect 3.

So the question is, what external graphic card will work well with A8 3870 (I don't want any bottlenecks) and won't suck too much power (mind my PWS)?

Thanks for help,
Ewa

PS. Let me know if you need more info about my specs.

 

[Guest]

1. The boost with a newer hd 7xxx series will probably be more substantial. 2. What is your budget?

 

[polifinka]

Thanks for an immediate answer My budget is around 250 USD.

 

[Guest]

Hmmm with that budget you could get a hd 7870: www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202025

But it will be bottlenecked by the cpu so maybe take something like a hd 7850.. Also I noticed you put 666mhz ram is this right or is it higher?

 

[polifinka]

Ok, we're on the same page then I was leaning towards hd 7850 myself.

According to CPU-Z my RAM is 666 MHz

 

[Guest]

You don't happen to know the model name of your ram do you?

 

[polifinka]

Let me open the case

 

[polifinka]

Kingston HyperX Genesis

 

[Guest]

I'm pretty sure it will be a 666mhz memory comtroller and higher speed, anyway a 2gb hd 7850 is probably a good card to get. you may want to check with someone else first as the more opinions the better.

 

[polifinka]

You're my saviour Thank you for your input, SlippySnowman!

 

[dudewitbow]

resolution?

 

[polifinka]

1920x1080

 

[romeodakins]

Heeey I had the exact same system as you and I had the 6670 paired with the A8-3870k before and it wasn't too good because of all the microstuttering and that it doesn't perform good on DX9 games. I upgraded to a 7850 and it is AMAZING!!! I can play everything on max 60fps. I did a 3DMark firestrike test and got a score of 3900.

 

[polifinka]

That's great to hear. Thanks!

 

[polifinka]

I have just installed XFX HD7850 2GB (core edition). Works like a charm! Thanks again for all the advice!