First Upgrade, can you guys help me out?

eG-Dan · 3 Apr 2008 at 20:08

mp260767 said:
from you're first post :

# Graphics Support: PCI Express x16

so yeah pci-e(xpress) is fine.

i'd go for the 3850 over the 8600.

depending on you're budget/discount u might be able to get a 3870, just a thought

psu i quoted will run that lot ok.

Cheers bud.

Final question, does PCI-EX 8600 need power from the PSU? How do i know if a processor I'm getting has different cords for my graphics card? whats the proper name for the cords?

Rroff · 3 Apr 2008 at 20:19

One of my systems is running an 8800GT OC'd, E6600 @ 3.6gig, water cooling, lots of fans, etc. off one of those 500watt OCZ PSUs and it works fine (not the system in sig)... infact I wouldn't be suprised if it wouldn't even stretch to another 8800GT if I went SLI - tho that would be starting to push it.

eG-Dan · 3 Apr 2008 at 20:20

What do i look for in a PSU though which determines if it supports external power for the card?

closeratio · 3 Apr 2008 at 20:28

The 8600GT doesn't need external power, no. It's probably the most powerful card out there (in terms of graphics) that only relies on the power the mobo supplies to it. Note that the 8600 GTS does need external 6-pin power, but the GT doesn't. Even the 9600GT needs a Pci-Express 6 pin power thing now.

If you're looking if a PSU supports PCI-express power, it'll say something like "PCI-E power connector", or a variation of that. More powerful (higher end) PSU's come with two, four, and sometimes (IIRC) eight of these.

eG-Dan · 3 Apr 2008 at 22:32

closeratio said:
The 8600GT doesn't need external power, no. It's probably the most powerful card out there (in terms of graphics) that only relies on the power the mobo supplies to it. Note that the 8600 GTS does need external 6-pin power, but the GT doesn't. Even the 9600GT needs a Pci-Express 6 pin power thing now.

If you're looking if a PSU supports PCI-express power, it'll say something like "PCI-E power connector", or a variation of that. More powerful (higher end) PSU's come with two, four, and sometimes (IIRC) eight of these.

Thank you

eG-Dan · 11 Apr 2008 at 11:46

Hmm, I've just took a trip to PCWorld and i was told that i have a 939 board which wouldn't support my AMD 6400 :S

But i have DDR2 RAM so i doubt i have 939.

Wilst · 11 Apr 2008 at 12:16

They just haven't heard of AM2 over there yet

. Might want to see what can be had second hand at a similar price to they 8600gt, both the 7900gt and x1900xt are far quicker despite being older tech and go very cheaply second hand.

eG-Dan · 11 Apr 2008 at 12:57

Wilst said:
They just haven't heard of AM2 over there yet . Might want to see what can be had second hand at a similar price to they 8600gt, both the 7900gt and x1900xt are far quicker despite being older tech and go very cheaply second hand.

Yeah, they are a bunch of idiots. Just waiting for that phonecall still. I've sorted out the GPU, I'm getting a Geforce 8600GT