Need help with an Upgrade.

NinjaIsAwesome

NinjaIsAwesome

NinjaIsAwesome

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Joined
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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
 
check out the his version currently £200 on this week only.

don't bother updating the mobo, i'd save up and ugrade to sandybridge.

psu will be fine, but have a look at the lepa 750w.

including the required psu/gfx card i've listed, matched against what you were looking to spend adding a sandy bridge 2500K processor & crossfire mobo would add £166 ish.
 
mp260767 said:
check out the his version currently £200 on this week only.

don't bother updating the mobo, i'd save up and ugrade to sandybridge.

psu will be fine, but have a look at the lepa 750w.

including the required psu/gfx card i've listed, matched against what you were looking to spend adding a sandy bridge 2500K processor & crossfire mobo would add £166 ish.
Click to expand...

if you mean the lepa b series 750w may want to check out http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18340443&highlight=lepa ;)

I'd say stick to the corsair but get the modular version(tx750m) for £7 more.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-047-CS&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=

the chosen 6950 has a triple slot cooler so there will be airflow issues in xfire, go for the his

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

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-042-HS&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1752 tho not sure if this has dual or triple slot cooler.
 
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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
 
the intel cpus i2100, i2500k etc are known as sandybridge like the new amd cpus are bulldozer.

and yes you'll need an intel motherboard if you wanted to change over. the intel cpus are better/faster than the amd ones

i2500k £170
gigabyte z68xp-ud3 £110 xfire/sli compatible
corsair tx750m £100
his 6950 icq x turbo £200

total £580

whats your current psu as can't make it out.
 
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.
 
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 :)
 
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.
 
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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.
 
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.
 
For not opening new thread I'm asking here:

So far i bought:

ASROCK Z68 EXTREME4 GEN3
I5 2500K
will get GSKILL 1600 8GB RIPJAWS blabla
Scythe Mugen 3 cooler
MSI GTX460 HAWK

still deciding on PSU, is it really worth to spend extra money on CORSAIR TX650W/750W modular? for example LC POWER GP3 650W is 1/2 the price....

check my system i have in my sig....

thanks for tips.
 
kmetek said:
For not opening new thread I'm asking here:

So far i bought:

ASROCK Z68 EXTREME4 GEN3
I5 2500K
will get GSKILL 1600 8GB RIPJAWS blabla
Scythe Mugen 3 cooler
MSI GTX460 HAWK

still deciding on PSU, is it really worth to spend extra money on CORSAIR TX650W/750W modular? for example LC POWER GP3 650W is 1/2 the price....

check my system i have in my sig....

thanks for tips.
Click to expand...

1/2 the price but more than double the chance of going bang taking the rest of your system with it, for te sake of £50 you'll have to replace hundreds pound worth of component.

have you bought the cooler or getting? the fins on the ram will interfer with the cooler, you want ones without fins
 
Last edited:
kmetek said:
For not opening new thread I'm asking here:

So far i bought:

ASROCK Z68 EXTREME4 GEN3
I5 2500K
will get GSKILL 1600 8GB RIPJAWS blabla
Scythe Mugen 3 cooler
MSI GTX460 HAWK

still deciding on PSU, is it really worth to spend extra money on CORSAIR TX650W/750W modular? for example LC POWER GP3 650W is 1/2 the price....

check my system i have in my sig....

thanks for tips.
Click to expand...

Do not skimp on a PSU, I would not purchase that PSU. Stick with Corsair, XFX, Seasonic and OCZ.

Also please do open your own thread, saves hijacking the thread ;)
 
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.
 
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