Bottleneck/PSU/molex adapter questions.

Naffy · 22 Nov 2012 at 15:59

I'll get straight to it, I want to upgrade my GPU to something along the lines of HD 6870/GTX 560. And want to make sure 1. it wont be bottlenecked 2. my PSU can handle it and 3. Kind of goes along with 2...

So here are my specs:
CPU: x2 Intel Xeon 5150's @ 2.66ghz (standard clocks)
RAM: 6gb 667MHZ DDR2
MOBO: HP 0A04h
PSU: 575w (not a brand name PSU, comes with the PC)

If you haven't figured it out my computer is an old HP server/workstation.

And the third question is would it be safe to use a 6 pin splitter (as in turns one 6 pin molex into two) to power the card?

Thanks in advance, and sorry if I missed anything or this is difficult to understand I am beyond tired right now.

Rik1254 · 22 Nov 2012 at 16:36

Honestly, dump the PSU and buy something decent.

Pretty much any 500w PSU will power what you have there and have 2x 6pin PCi power cables.

Personally just bought this for a friends rig, pretty decent and cant complain for the price:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-036-AE&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=2377

Naffy · 22 Nov 2012 at 16:57

What if I just went for a 7850, do you reckon that would bottleneck?

Rik1254 · 22 Nov 2012 at 17:00

Its still a cheap PSU and anyone and everyone would recommend a branded PSU over no-named units.

Review thread of a semi-branded piece of tosh.
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2010/12/17/diablotek_phd650_650w_power_supply_review/9

Thats pretty much how all cheapo branded psu's fair.

Naffy · 22 Nov 2012 at 17:16

I'd be more inclined to buy a lesser GPU than buy a new PSU. I don't mind sticking a fairly powerful GPU in this because when I get a new PC I can take the card out buy another and SLI/Crossfire 'em. But I can't buy a higher end PSU right now and buying a 500w one seems like somewhat of a waste because it wouldn't be powerful enough to run two cards.

So I just need to figure out which would be the best card to get without bottlenecking my computer.

BuToNz · 22 Nov 2012 at 17:36

You really need to look at the +12v rail specifications on your current PSU. Giving us a model number would help, or better yet a picture of the sticker on the PSU.

It's great saying that you'll stick with the PSU but if it can't run a new GPU or blows up taking everything with it a week later you'll wish you hadn't said that.

Naffy · 22 Nov 2012 at 18:31

Funny you say that I thought about taking a picture of it when I started this thread

Naffy · 22 Nov 2012 at 18:36

That should be better...

BuToNz · 22 Nov 2012 at 18:42

Well, given it has got a total of 46amp's on the +!2v (4 rails) and it's a delta unit (Not a bad OEM) I'd say you'll be ok.

Obviously when you have the extra funds for a better PSU - get one. But for now it'll be fine with a 560ti or 7850 (I'd recommend the latter).

Naffy · 23 Nov 2012 at 10:28

Thanks for your help