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[Q] What to upgrade next

Tags:
  • Overclocking
  • Sabertooth
  • RAM
Last response: in Overclocking
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November 27, 2013 5:26:14 PM

Currently running a Phenom II X4 965BE @3.8GHz on a Sabertooth R2 with 8GB [2x4GB, 1600MHz] of RAM coupled with a single 7950 sitting all on top of a 750W Seasonic PSU. Already have an SSD for my OS so that's well taken care of.

Should I:
- be OK with a 6300/6350 and add another set of 8GB RAM [2x4GB]?
- spring for an 8350?

The reason I ask is because I want to add another 7950 and read that my current CPU will be a BIG bottleneck. The reason why I'm interested in getting 16 GB RAM total is to run RAMDISK so I don't use the SSD that often. My H100 is still alive and kicking so I'll probably hold on to that until it starts to act funky.

From my understanding the PSU I have [M12ii] should be able to power my system assuming I only overclock the CPU and not the GPUs. I can overclock like crazy as long as it doesn't fry the chip, I can get away with electricity bills and stuff.

Displays are as follows: 1920x1080 [main] and 1280x1024
- Plan to do an Eyefinity setup next year, prolly around February if funds allow.
- Either I get 2 extra 1080p screens or 3 similar ones [and sell the current one], whichever makes more sense during that time.

Open to suggestions, recommendations, criticisms [please be gentle], and any kind of input.

More about : upgrade

a c 91 K Overclocking
November 27, 2013 8:46:38 PM

yes, you'd be OK with a 6 core and 2 x HD 7950s. There should be no bottle neck there. Of course, an FX-8350 would be better... obviously.

Each HD 7950 is a 200W card maxed out: http://www.hwcompare.com/11426/radeon-hd-7950/
That will draw 16.7A on the +12V rail(s) per card. A 125W CPU adds another 10.4A on the +12V rail(s). That's nearly 44A. With a 62A +12V rail (744W), you have plenty of room left.

Driving 3 monitors at 5760x1080 resolution will take its toll on even 2 x HD 7950s. Your frame rates will suffer, but it should still be playable.
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