Which upgrade to my computer?

T345 · 11 May 2013 at 15:50

Option 1:
6950
Option 2:
2500k

Right now my specifications are:
Intel Celeron G530 (1155)
MSI Z68A-GD65
2x4gb RAM
5770gpu
OCZ CoreXstream 500w PSU

So, I would go with the 6950, but I am not sure if my PSU will be able to cope with it. I used a PSU calculator

rolleyes

and with 10% Capacitor aging, 100% cpu load and 100% system load. With all of my fans etc...

Which will give me a good upgrade, I game mostly and render long 720p videos. They take a bit long to render, but I am not sure whether CPU rendering would be better than GPU rendering.
Thanks
T345

PlatinumLiam · 11 May 2013 at 16:09

use corsair power supply calculator

PlatinumLiam · 11 May 2013 at 16:14

You would need at least 600w but i would go for 700 to give a little room for expansion

Doomedspeed · 11 May 2013 at 18:04

Are you only able to do one of the upgrades?

The 2500k will improve your rendering no end, over clock it and it'll be better.

The 6950 will make your gaming better, a lot better. Though you will need a new PSU...

Could you.afford the 6950 in a few months time..

T345 · 11 May 2013 at 18:16

Well, I am selling some things, so I will have enough for one in a few weeks, and the other maybe in a few months.

Doomedspeed · 11 May 2013 at 22:20

Good news. Both of the would make it an awesome rig.

Would grab a 2500k first then a 6950 and a new PSU.

James J · 12 May 2013 at 00:37

Doomedspeed said:
Good news. Both of the would make it an awesome rig.

Would grab a 2500k first then a 6950 and a new PSU.

I'd do the same. The cpu is a bigger upgrade imo.

T345 · 12 May 2013 at 16:28

Thanks guys

Sasahara · 12 May 2013 at 19:13

Go with the HD6950 to start with.

Check sticker on side of the PSU if the Combined +12V is 350 W or more you should be fine.

The only reference I can find is it has 25 A / 20 A on the two 12V rails; combined 12V power max. 444W.

If that is the case then the PSU is fine.

BAMBI · 12 May 2013 at 21:09

Sasahara said:
Go with the HD6950 to start with.

Check sticker on side of the PSU if the Combined +12V is 350 W or more you should be fine.

The only reference I can find is it has 25 A / 20 A on the two 12V rails; combined 12V power max. 444W.

If that is the case then the PSU is fine.

That's correct 45 Amps across two rails. I have the PSU it's been happily running my PII X4 and 6850 for a year now.

You should get away with a 6950 but you would be pushing the PSU to its limit.