Looking for a modest card for my low end PSU.

[warren_1979]

Hi.

I got a Cooler Master case and PSU deal last year for my build. I was originally a little skeptical about PSU but I find that it runs nice and quiet and hasn't given me any bother at all.

The build wasn't for gaming as such, maybe a bit of QL and BF2, so i only installed a 6670. Any way I have now got the urge to give Fallout 3 another go (played it years ago and loved it) and possibly Skyrim. I'd really like to play these flat out @1080p.

My PSU is the Cooler Master 500w elite v2 (http://www.coolermaster.com/powersupply/office-home-elite-power/elite-power-v2-500w/). The 12v rails are +12V1/21A +12V2/18A

I have been looking at possibly a 7770. But there is a 6850 on MM at the moment. Could my PSU handle the 6850?

Any other cards I should be looking at. I would preferably want to go 2nd hand off MM.

I would also like a quiet card if possible.

Cheers.

 

[UnworthyBean]

Plenty of room for a 6850.

Got a budget for a new card? Might help with suggesting a new card.

 

[warren_1979]

That's great news about the 6850.

£50-£60 2nd hand. Don't want to go much more than that as I am not a hardcore gamer.

 

[Tonester0011]

7850s been going for £60-65 on the MM matey, a lot better than a 6850 and less powerusage.

You should be able to get the 6850 for £45, anymore isn't worth it tbh.

 

[pandem0nium]

I'd replace the psu rather than limiting your build by it. Not sure on the OEM, but chances are it's going to be uneconomical and unreliable.

£35 for an xfx 450 W - (Seasonic built)

+

up to a 270x

 

[warren_1979]

7850s been going for £60-65 on the MM matey, a lot better than a 6850 and less powerusage.

You should be able to get the 6850 for £45, anymore isn't worth it tbh.

Cool thats interesting. So it definitely uses less power than the 6850? Will it run cooler too? I will keep an eye out on MM for a 7850 but I think I will pick up a 6850 if the price is right. Thats all I need really. But I will bear the 7850 in mind.

I'd replace the psu rather than limiting your build by it. Not sure on the OEM, but chances are it's going to be uneconomical and unreliable.

£35 for an xfx 450 W - (Seasonic built)

+

up to a 270x

I know what you are saying but the PSU is only 3 months old. I don't want to toss it out just yet. I am not a big gamer at all so a 6850 will suit me fine for the time being. I will probably bin off the PSU after a year because its not the best quality TBH.

Cheers.

 

[Marine-RX179]

Cool thats interesting. So it definitely uses less power than the 6850? Will it run cooler too? I will keep an eye out on MM for a 7850 but I think I will pick up a 6850 if the price is right. Thats all I need really. But I will bear the 7850 in mind.

The 7850 2GB is well worth the extra. It is around 50% faster than the 6850, and it doesn't have only 1GB vram like the 6850.

 

[LittleChimp]

The psu seems fine. It has only one PCI-e 6 Pin but it should power a 660 gtx or a 7850 with no problems at all. Both cards can run skyrim on ultra at 1080p but try get a 2gb one if you can. You could also consider a 650ti boost which is just slightly under a 660 in fps but abit cheaper.

 

[nicnik]

If buying new i'd have suggested 7770. But if you can pick up from MM a 7850 for ~60 then go for it.

 

[warren_1979]

7850 is looking more tempting by the hour. I will keep my eyes peeled on MM. Oh yeah does the 7850 only need one PCI-E power connector?

Cheers.

 

[Tonester0011]

Yes.
Make a wanted thread, been about 4 or 5 7850s up on there in the last week or so, two of which sold for £60.

 

[warren_1979]

Hi.

So I picked up a 7850 off MM for £70. It was delivered a day late with Special Delivery so I may get another £8 back off RM!

I have realised that my PSU isn't exactly the same spec as the one I linked to in the original post. I am sure it's a new style CM elite but when I put the model number into Google not much comes up. I am using the single PCI-E 6 pin connector to power the card.

Here are the numbers on the side:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/2xrv7v2oyw7s9au/2014-02-15 16.22.58.jpg

Rest of system:
Phenom II 965 stock
4gb ddr3
Dvdrw drive
Ssd
500 GB HD
Xonar DG
4 120mm fans and fan controller.

Will this PSU be fine to run this system?

 

[spixelspixel]

Hi.

So I picked up a 7850 off MM for £70. It was delivered a day late with Special Delivery so I may get another £8 back off RM!

I have realised that my PSU isn't exactly the same spec as the one I linked to in the original post. I am sure it's a new style CM elite but when I put the model number into Google not much comes up. I am using the single PCI-E 6 pin connector to power the card.

Here are the numbers on the side:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/2xrv7v2oyw7s9au/2014-02-15 16.22.58.jpg

Rest of system:
Phenom II 965 stock
4gb ddr3
Dvdrw drive
Ssd
500 GB HD
Xonar DG
4 120mm fans and fan controller.

Will this PSU be fine to run this system?

Will be fine but don't do much overclocking just to be safe.

 

[danny77]

you should be fine mate , I was running a 7850 and a 8120cpu on n 7 or 8 year old tagen 420w

 

[warren_1979]

Thanks guys.

 

[warren_1979]

Another little question.

I have just booted her up and everything seems fine (PSU didn't pop!). I read on the internet that if its a AMD HD card then its fine to drop it in without uninstalling the drivers. I am going from a HD 6670 to this 7850. I just left in the Catalyst drivers in place (latest ones).

I just loaded up Quake Live and the image quality was a little strange, maybe by a few percent. It's difficult say in what way though either positive or negative. It just seemed a little different to my eyes.

I also loaded up Fallout 3 and it seemed fine.

Do you reckon its worth unstalling the Catalyst drivers, driver sweeping them and re-installing or will that be a waste of time?

Cheers.

 

[danny77]

just download the latest drivers and install them , no need to mess around doing anything else mate , I would reinstall drivers even if there the same version after changing a gpu

 

[warren_1979]

Ok ta.