Upgrade Advice: GPU & RAM

Murcuseo

Murcuseo

Murcuseo

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Joined
26 Nov 2010
Posts
19
Location
Paisley, Scotland
Hey guys,

I'm looking to upgrade my 5870 and 6GB of RAM to a 6970 and 12GB of RAM. I have around £500 to spend(more than I'll probably need) so I'd appreciate any advice you're willing to give. I'm looking to stick to ATi GPU's only.

Here's my current system spec:

i7 920 @ 3.2GHz
ATi Sapphire 5870(can't remember the exact OC on this, doh!)
ASUS Xonar D2
Gigabyte X58A UD3R USB 3.0
6GB Corsair XMS3 DDR3
Corsair TX650w
Antec 902


Also, due to the Over-clock is there anything I need to do within the BIOS before I make the upgrade?<-- I'm ot very tech savvy. :D

The GPU and RAM I have been looking at are linked below:

GPU:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-123-MS&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1752

RAM:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-294-CS&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1389

What do you guys think, worth it?.

I'd appreciate any constructive input you're willing to give!

Thanks in advance.
 
Depending on what you do with your PC going to 12GB may not be a big benefit.

Assuming you still want to upgrade you could probably just add another 6GB of the same XMS3 as your overclock isn't huge so you probably won't upset it using 6 sticks.

Alternatively:

Kingston HyperX Genesis 12GB (3x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Triple Channel

£20 cheaper and you wouldn't notice the tiny difference in performance.

As the new AMD/ATI cards are due around January perhaps you should wait and see what's on offer or possibly you may get a 69xx series card cheaper if there's still stock to clear.

Your HD 5870 is still a pretty good performer.

FYI your signature is too big, 4 lines of text only.
 
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I use my PC for gaming, capture and video editing/rendering.

Excuse my ignorance, but I can add another 6GB of the same RAM in the other 3 Tri-Channel slots? So that I have 12GB using all 6 slots? I note that you said it 'probably' won't upset the over-clock, does that mean there's a chance it could? If so I don't think that's a viable option.

Also, is there any editing of the BIOS necessary when upgrading with an Over-clocked system?

Thanks for the advice on the GPU. If the cards are coming in January I will wait for a better deal.

I'll update the sig just now, my bad.

Thanks for the advice. :)
 
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12 GB may be of benefit given some of the uses of your PC.

You can fill all 6 RAM slots but potentially this can cause issues with the overclock due to the extra strain on the memory controller which is on the CPU.

As you only have a modest overclock this is unlikely to be a problem but I can't 100% guarantee it.

If you add extra RAM, or replace the RAM, this will likely be detected by the BIOS and you'll need to go into the BIOS and confirm the existing settings are OK or change them if needed.
 
I think I will upgrade to 3x4GB rather than use all 6 slots. Stability is quite important for what I use my PC for so it seems like the safest option.

In regards to checking the settings in the BIOS after an upgrade, is it simple enough to do for someone like myself or would I be better getting a technician to do it? I have flashed a BIOS in the past which was easy enough.

If so can you recommend tutorials or maybe suggest someone online who can talk me through it?.

I'd greatly appreciate it.

Once again, thanks for the advice.
 
It's easy to change the settings in the BIOS.

If the BIOS is set to auto for the RAM settings then it should just pick up the settings for the new RAM.

If it's set manually then you may need to change an entry or two.

Post a screenshot of the CPU-Z memory tab and we'll have a look to how it compares to the Kingston HyperX Genesis, if that's what you're getting.

When you do get the new RAM you can always post back here if you have any difficuilties.
 
Would you recommend the Kingston HyperX Genesis over the Corsair Vengeance?

Here's the screenshot:

CPU-zMemory.png
 
I don't know what speed your current RAM is rated for but it's only running at 1079.6MHz (539.8x2).

You're going to have to do a bit more tweaking in the BIOS to get the new RAM running at near 1600MHz. It'll depend on what memory dividers the BIOS has.

The Kingston is 1600MHz, 9-9-9-27, Command Rate 2T, 1.60-1.65V.

The Corsair is 1600MHz, 9-9-9-24, Command Rate not stated, 1.50V.

Performance wise there's very little in it.

The Corsair runs at a slightly lower voltage.

Is it worth £20 more....

The Corsair also has large heat spreaders so you need to look if they'll interfere with whatever CPU cooler you're using.
 
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My current RAM speed is also meant to be 1600. Is the reason it's running low due to the BIOS in it's current state?

If there is little to no difference between the Vengeance and Genesis there's no reason for me to pay an extra £20. Although, the heat spreaders wouldn't be a problem as my CPU cooler isn't in the way. My Antec 902 has good flow anyway so having the benefit of spreaders isn't really something I need to consider.
 
That's something I'll need to try and remedy, until I get my upgrade.

Would you be willing to help me with that tomorrow? It's not really something I'd be willing to tackle in my current exhausted state. xD
 
That's excellent. I can't thank you enough for your help.

I'll post again sometime tomorrow afternoon and see if you're free. :cool:
 
Hi,

When you're back please upload screenshots of the CPU and SPD tabs from CPU-Z.

Also please list the current settings in the BIOS for those I've highlighted below. Auto, manual etc. and what actual values there are.



 
Here are the Screenshots from CPU-Z:

CPUTab.png

SPDTab.png


What key would I need to press during start up to access the settings in the BIOS?

Sorry for my ignorance but I have no experience with this apart from Flashing a BIOS, which was quite some time ago.
 
I hate to be the bearer of more bad news but your CPU isn't overclocked, well hardly.

Stock speed is 133MHz x 20 for 2.66GHz or x 21 with turbo on all cores for 2.8GHz.

Yours is 134.9MHz x 20 for 2.70GHz or x 21 with turbo on all cores for 2.83GHz.
 
Well, I was informed when I bought the system it was overclocked to 3.4GHz so I've either been lied to or something has happened that's affected it. Neither of which I can be sure of as my technical knowledge is lacking, as you've probably noticed. lol

Although, I did notice when I was in the BIOS it mentioned my CPU being at 3.4GHz but that may not be relevant due to the image below.

When I went in to the BIOS I received this warning:

Warning1.jpg


Here are my Advanced Memory Settings:

AdvancedMemorySettings2.jpg


And finally, my Timing Settings for A, B and C.

A:

ChannelATimingSettings.jpg


B:

ChannelBTimingSettings.jpg


C:

ChannelCTimingSettings.jpg
 
I think you mentioned you updated the BIOS so this will have wiped any overclocked settings.

It's possible there may be a stored profile you can still load with the overclocked settings but this may have been wiped as well with a BIOS update.

If you want to check before proceeding any further then press F12 while you're at the main BIOS screen and see if there's a profile you can load.

If there is then press enter to load it and then F10 to save the settings
 
The BIOS Flash was actually on the previous Motherboard, which was swapped out for my current one by the OcUK Technicians during an RMA. That is probably why there is no overclock. Sorry, I should have mentioned that but only just thought of it. I actually presumed the overclock would be reinstated with the new Motherboard but I was obviously wrong.

I'll check for the profile regardless.

Edit: I couldn't see any profile in the Boot Menu.
 
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