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6pin Graphics Paralysis

q974739

q974739

q974739

Associate
Joined
4 Feb 2009
Posts
1,396
Hi All.

So I'm still running an AMD 7850, purchased many years ago and it's getting a little long in the tooth. CPU is the skylake i5 6600K, which isn't showing it's age quite as badly.

I'd like to upgrade the graphics card alone, but the powersupply I have is a Corsair CS550M. This provides 2x6 pin cables for the graphics card. As far as I can tell, everything seems to be using 8 pin as a minimum.

I really, really don't want to upgrade powersupply and graphics at the same time. But I can't see any good otherwise.

Have I missed something? Or am I just doomed to rebuilding the whole system in a few years, if the power supply doesn't melt first?

Thanks

The Very Slow Upgrader
 
How much of an upgrade are you wanting? I think most of the GTX 1650s don't need additional power and you can get 6 > 8 adapters as well.

How much is your budget?
 
My budget is weird. For a card that will last me 5 years? 300-400. Possibly more. Something. that I'll want to replace in 2, less. Possibly would even hold off purchasing rather than replace that fast.

An upgrade that isn't at least 50% better is probably a waste of time/money? Feel free to argue that point though. 40% and significantly reduced power would be a valid argument.
 
Stephanie Peterson said:
Pretty much everything in the 300-400 bracket will be an awful lot more than 40-50% faster than the ancient 7850. Something like a vega 56 or if you want a new Navi will be 3-4 times your old card, not 40-50% faster.
Click to expand...
True, but is blown out the water by the power restrictions. This is where I'm stuck.
 
I don't see why a Vega 56 and a couple of 8 pin adapters wouldn't work - 550W should be enough and that Corsair is a decent PSU.
 
Space Monkey said:
Careful though, as the recommend is 650 minimum, and it sounds like it's an old PSU as well?
Click to expand...

Well yes but the recommended specs are often very generous - I have personally run a Vega 64 off a PSU with less. Also, he can always try it and then splurge out on a new PSU if and when it is needed, there will be plenty left from the budget.
 
Tute said:
Well yes but the recommended specs are often very generous - I have personally run a Vega 64 off a PSU with less. Also, he can always try it and then splurge out on a new PSU if and when it is needed, there will be plenty left from the budget.
Click to expand...
True, just wanted to err on the side of caution especially with a basic and old PSU :)
 
Space Monkey said:
True, just wanted to err on the side of caution especially with a basic and old PSU :)
Click to expand...
Your caution is very much appreciated. The card is nominally 210W, so I'm a tad worried that if it draws unevenly then one of the concerted 6 pins might well be beyond the 75W they're spec'ed for. Do we know if it's even?

Also, now is an Exciting time for graphics cards. Do people think that waiting a week or two will make any difference in my case, or should I just buy? Waiting a few weeks would make no difference to me...
 
Vega is EOL according to Gibbo, and he's promised some deals later today on OCUK's This Week Only from their homepage, so worth checking out.

If you want a Vega then now seems the best time, a few left in stock, prices being reduced to clear, and new GPUs (Navi & Supers) are far more expensive.

I've just bought a Vega 64 as I couldn't justify anything more, based on price, to get something a lot better I'd need up spend a whole lot more which wasn't worth it to me :)

Plus you might get a nice new PSU on this week's offers as well along with a GPU?
 
I await the offers, and my inevitable paralysis any second now.

Was actually thinking - it looks like the 56 does very well with underclocking. I drop the power consumption considerably, still have massively better performance, feel better about running outside the PSU's strict limits, and I'll probably still be CPU limited?
 
As another option, what about an RX570?

Still a huge jump in performance (over twice as fast as a 7850), and can be had for £120 now.

Only needs a single 8 pin connector, which can more safely be provided via a "dual 6 pin to 8 pin" adapter.


Edit:
Tbh, probably better to upgrade the PSU as well - the cs550 is a 5 year old low end model. If you've had it anywhere near 5 years, then it's served its purpose
 
570 would be a big improvement, about 125% better for about 120 pounds. The Vega 56 is about a 315% improvement for less than 300. T

Price per improvement% is almost flat, so to my mind there's no reason not to go straight to the Vega, if I can run it.

And since I can tune it down until I replace the PSU it's a livable option. Replacing the PSU before it fails is impossible. Call it a mental health issue, but I would see that as WASTE. And every time I booted the machine I would feel the guilt of that WASTE.

I realise this is entirely in my own mind, and my problem. But it does inform buying decisions. (Note, current card will be donated, so no waste there. No deserving child that I know needs a PSU.)
 
q974739 said:
570 would be a big improvement, about 125% better for about 120 pounds. The Vega 56 is about a 315% improvement for less than 300. T

Price per improvement% is almost flat, so to my mind there's no reason not to go straight to the Vega, if I can run it.

And since I can tune it down until I replace the PSU it's a livable option. Replacing the PSU before it fails is impossible. Call it a mental health issue, but I would see that as WASTE. And every time I booted the machine I would feel the guilt of that WASTE.

I realise this is entirely in my own mind, and my problem. But it does inform buying decisions. (Note, current card will be donated, so no waste there. No deserving child that I know needs a PSU.)
Click to expand...
Sell the PSU. It would then be being used by someone else. So it isn't being wasted.
 
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