The most powerful GPU I can put in this system?

xzahn

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This system is:

CPU: QuadCore AMD Phenom X4 Black Edition 9850, 2500 MHz
MB: ASRock N68C-S UCC (2 PCI, 1 PCI-E x1, 1 PCI-E x16)
RAM: 4096 MB (2 x DDR2-800 DDR2 SDRAM)
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce 9500 GT (1 GB)
PSU: Inter-Tech Argus APS-620W

I just bought the PSU with idea to refreshing the PC. I want to get a new GPU and improve the cooling. At first I thought of saving for 260X, but I got suggestion to buy a used 7770 instead. I found a few around here, but they were all 1GB version. I would like to get a 2GB, but I don't know whether I'll get any benefit from it with that system. I looked around for other 7-series GPUs and I found 7850 Dual-x Oc 2 GB still in warranty for really good price. Not much more than the 7770s are. I did found a few other 1GB 7850s, and one 7790, all about the same price as the 7770s. Again I wonder whether I'm going to see any benefit with my current system. And how much bottleneck I should expect? I really want to play Skyrim with mods... xD
 

clutchc

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I can't vouch for the quality of the PSU, but it has great amp/watt specs for the +12V rail. It should be able to handle any med-high end card. But your aging Phenom I X4 is still the bottleneck with any card beyond low-medium class. That is a really old, slow processor.

It sounds like you are looking at used cards. And buying locally. So I won't offer any online retail suggestions unless you say otherwise. The HD-7850 > HD-7790 > HD-7770. If your monitor is 1080p, you should be looking at 2GB cards for the best graphics.
 

xzahn

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Well than 7850 it is! If I change the CPU to lets say Phenom II X4 955, is it going to improve notably? And yes, sadly, I'm restricted of buying only locally. Also my monitor is 1680x1050.

 

clutchc

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Unfortunately, you can't use a 125W processor like the PhII X4 955. Your board is limited to 95W or less. Here is the CPU support list for your board along with the necessary BIOS update required for the CPU to be recognized.
http://www.asrock.com/mb/NVIDIA/N68C-S%20UCC/?cat=CPU
 

xzahn

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Ohh, I was under the impression my current one is 125W. So I'm limited to X4 945/960T. Good to know. Thanks!


 

clutchc

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The non-BE version of the Phenom X4 9850 is also only 95W, which is the version I assumed you had: http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/K10/AMD-Phenom%20X4%209850%20-%20HD9850WCJ4BGH.html
But yes, AMD made the 9850 in both wattages. 2 x 9850's, 1 x BE, and 1 x "B" version. "B" is probably the business version.

Here's a comparison of yours and the 125W version: http://www.cpu-world.com/Compare/137/AMD_Phenom_X4_9850_%28125W__non-BE%29%29_vs_AMD_Phenom_X4_9850_%2895W%29.html
 

xzahn

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So its 95W after all. I'll buy either 7850 or 7870 so I'll have to change the MB and the CPU eventually. Anyway, thanks for the help.