Need help with an Upgrade.

NinjaIsAwesome

NinjaIsAwesome

NinjaIsAwesome

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Joined
7 May 2011
Posts
156
Location
N.Ireland
Hey There,

I was hoping You chaps could help me out with a problem I have.
I want to upgrade my computer so that I can upgrade it easier in the future.
At the moment I have a decent gaming PC which I built myself (1st build)

I am wanting to Upgrade the Motherboard, Power supply and Graphics card in order to allow for Crossfire in the future.

I would like to Upgrade the Mobo to allow Crossfire, Powersupply to Power Crossfire and replace my current PSU as its very tacty and I would like a 2GB Graphics card.

Money isn't much of an option as I will be waiting till components to drop in price if its £500 + . I know the Graphics card alone will cost me £200 +

I built my PC over a year ago and had no idea of what I need, I like building computers and programming, After building my first computer I signed up to a HND Computer and system development course as I enjoyed it so much I wanted to learn more.


The upgrades I was thinking of would be


Mobo: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-468-AS&groupid=701&catid=1903&subcat=

GFX card: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-254-AS&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1752

PSU: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-038-CS&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=

I read somewhere that to run Crossfire you needed 750W PSU minimum but Im not entire sure if that was correct.



If you guys could help out it really would be Fantastic.



Below is my PC current spec.

  • Processor: AMD Athlon II x4 640 95W ~3GHz
  • MotherBoard: ASUS M4A77T/USB3
  • RAM: 8GB DDR3 Dual channel (4x 2GB sticks)
  • Graphics: ATI Radeon HD 5770 Ice-q Turbo 1GB
  • Heatsink: Corsair Watercooler H-50 (I think)
  • Storage: 2x 1TB Harddrives
  • Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 Plus

It currently looks like this

DSCF1550.jpg
 
Thank you for your replies.

I should add I've had the "blue screen of death" and I've no idea what's causing it and I have consistent problems with my graphics card when I update drivers.

Could you please explain in more detail about sandybridge please, Im not overly familiar with it, I thought it was an Intel processor thing. If it is a processor, Would I not have to change parts of my system as its currently AMD ?

MP260769, Do you mean Save up more and buy a sandybridge CPU and a crossfire mobo ? (changing the mobo to intel)


Thanks in advance
 
Ah I see. Id rather stick to the one I have as Im already taking out my car fund for this upgrade. I'm Happy enough with my current CPU and 3Ghz seems enough.
Just my Motherboard and Graphics card are my main points of interest.

Forgetting the Sandybridge option, What would be the best Value for money crossfire compatible Mobo ?
the one i linked in my original post seemed good enough but im not overly knowledgeable on components.
 
bobbyspangles said:
Is the OP talking about crossfiring the 6950 with his 5770?

I don't think that would work?

If not and assuming your PSU is up too it I would wait until you're ready to add the second card before changing the PSU :)
Click to expand...


Nope, Changing the current graphics card to the (possible) 6950 and in the future, getting another and Crossfiring them.

I was considering changing the Mobo and then the PSU and in the new year (maybe in the sales) pick up a new Graphics card.
 
Im not convinced on the Intel switch.
I May upgrade to crossfire but I'm not sure if ill need it but it would be (i think) cheaper than buying a better graphics card over the 6950.

Mobo and Graphics are the main focus but the PSU is optional, My current one is terrible, tones of cables and non-logical positioning of connectors but when and if I come to Crossfire, Id need a powerful one, the one i have is 750W but It doesn't have the connectors.
 
fowler002 said:
WHAT IS THE CURRENT MAKE/MODEL OF YOUR PSU? I've already asked but got no answer, you say its 750w but if its a cheap/no brand one theN IT IS A PRIORITY.
Click to expand...

Oh sorry, never saw your question.
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-032-OP
That is My current PSU.

I'm totally confused. Do you know you need 2 graphics cards for crossfire?

So 2 x 6950s or 2 x 5770s?
Click to expand...

Yes, I know you need 2x The same Graphics cards.

Forget about the 5770.
Im upgrading from the 5770 to the 6950 and then in the future getting another 6950 and thus crossfiring 2x 6950's

If your not convinced regards Intel compared to AMD, link below allows you to compare various cpus:

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/CPU/2
Click to expand...

Its a Mix of Not convinced and Happy with AMD.
I honestly Am perfectly happy with my current CPU speeds and performance Just my Graphics card isn't up to the tasks(games) I throw at it.
 
fowler002 said:
yes that'll do just fine, if you can live without modular you could go xfx pro core edition 750w £85, ocz zs 750w £73, but for £15-£20 I'd pay the extra :)
well there also the antec 750w modular £86 but its out of stock.
Click to expand...

Yeh, I've been advised on here before about Modular. Think I'm going to stick with the power supply in my previous post.
Payday friday, I shall be buying my PSU and 6950.

This forum is good, The community make it great =] /no-homo lol


edit: I should ask, Which 9650:


 
fowler002 said:
the cooler on the asus is triple slot which will be an issue with airflow in xfire, not sure about the 2nd one

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-036-HS&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1752 cheaper and doesn't have the issue.
Click to expand...

I like you ^^ lol

i was looking at my PSU im going to buy, cant see that it has 2x 6 pin connectors

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-036-HS&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1752

  • Warranty: Five years
  • Dimension: 150mm(W) x 86mm(H) x 160mm(L)
  • Power: 750 Watts 80 PlusBronze ATX Connector1 EPS Connector1 PCI-E
  • Connector: 4 4 Pin Peripheral Connector - 8 SATA Connector - 8 Floppy Connector 2
  • MTBF: 100,000 hours

Graphics card says " Power Adapters included in box for older PSU's"

Would this include an adapter for 4 pin to 6 pin (or whatever adapter it may be)
 
Last edited:
bobbyspangles said:
^^^ Unless the lack of free games is a issue then I would go for this. Comes with a nice factory overclock over the other cards linked :)

Edit: Although on second thoughts that HIS iceQ PLUS with 3 free games looks like quite a nice deal. Either of these cards would be fine. Not the Asus though for the reason fowler002 has mentioned.
Click to expand...


Ive got BF3, I'm not a Deus Ex Kind of guy and driving games don't interest me ^^


I've Decided the HIS ATI Radeon HD 6950 IceQ X Turbo 2048MB Is the one for me.
 
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