Where to go from here
Hey guys,
I am like halfway through a computer build (I have all the functional parts down, I am just looking to upgrade), and I was wondering if you had any suggestions as to where I should go from here.
Here is what my computer looks like so far:
M4A78T-E Motherboard
AMD Phenom II X4 955
4.0 GB Ram
A really shitty PSU (That I stole from a spare), since the one I bought for this rig was a DoA
And I am looking into wanting:
A new PSU (Seeing as mine crapped out)
A GPU
And I have about 200$ to do this
Thanks!
Frenchie
I am like halfway through a computer build (I have all the functional parts down, I am just looking to upgrade), and I was wondering if you had any suggestions as to where I should go from here.
Here is what my computer looks like so far:
M4A78T-E Motherboard
AMD Phenom II X4 955
4.0 GB Ram
A really shitty PSU (That I stole from a spare), since the one I bought for this rig was a DoA
And I am looking into wanting:
A new PSU (Seeing as mine crapped out)
A GPU
And I have about 200$ to do this
Thanks!
Frenchie
0
Comments
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005
Radeon HD 6750
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161379
I was considering this PSU, although Corsair is a nicer brand.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=17-182-200
The power supply is the one component in the PC you absolutely should not skimp on, because a bad one can destroy everything else you have.
Oh wow, I was not aware of that
True enough, a lesson I learned when my last PSU gave out
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161348&cm_re=6850-_-14-161-348-_-Product
With shipping and applying the coupon codes that puts you at $217, and I'll tell ya, if I can get to the 6850 vs. the 6770, I'd highly consider it. 256 bit DDR 5, power friendly so you don't have to blow your budget on a ultra high end PSU. Any quality 80 plus certified around 500 watts should be just fine unless your raiding 4 10,000 RPM hard drives and overclocking the CPU to 4.0.
With a $10 rebate, if you take the shipping out of the equation your right on the money.
Now, if your consideration is potentially crossfireing a 2nd card later on, you should consider spending more of the budget on a power supply. Maybe a good 700 watt unit for around $80, and spend about $120 on something like a Radeon 6770 today with the intent to double up on that when you have the extra.
If your asking me, I'd build around the single 6850, its a solid card, you get a free copy of Dirt 3, and you denfinately will feel like you get your money's worth from it.
I have been going back and forth on whether or not I want the possibility of CrossFireing (This is a term, right?). Although, as you said, it would involve buying a more expensive PSU, which I don't really have the money for right now (If I get the 6850).
And I got that purchase down 197$ (Including Shipping and the 10$ mail in rebate) (Using NEWCUSTOMER10 promo code for another 10$ off)
They have really high review ratings from years ago when they used quality components ... I wanna say Seasonic parts but not sure.
If you can look at performance reviews for many graphics cards, they will test the total system draw from a kill-o-watt meter, that normally indcludes a high end CPU and everything running stressed (generally a 3D mark run). Take that number and effectively double it, and you have a good target for where you will want your continious output to be, because then your going to have ample overhead on a hot day, and as the capacitors age your PSU will likely hold up for at least a few years in that system.
For that system, suppose your running a single 7200 RPM hard drive, your current CPU coupled with a Radeon 6850, going full throttle at stock clocks you would be pressed to hit 240 watts on a kill-o-watt meter, that's loading the system. Double it you know your in the neighborhood of 500 watts of continuious output providing you with plenty of overhead for odd little spikes, a hot day, or a couple years of abuse on the capacitors.
That said, a power rating means nothing if its not indipendently 80 plus certified. If you don't see that, don't put it in your machine. Even then, as the guys point out, there are better and worse units even in that range. My experience is that Antec, Corsiar, OCZ, PC Power and Cooling, Seasonic, Silverstone, they are all really solid brands you could keep on your short list.
Yeah, they used to be Seasonic.
That is the list I generally recommend to people, with at least an 80+ bronze ... personally, I go Silver but I know I'm hitting mine hard with constant folding.
Thanks again, I am not much of a hardware guy, so I don't know much about this
Edit: The page for the 6850 states that it recommends 500W+, so I guess not
So my budget expanded, and I think I am going to get:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371044
Radeon HD 6850
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161348
Antec 650W
I got the 650W because I want the possibility of CrossfireXing later on with this card, and my handy dandy chart says I will need 625W for Crossfire with this card.
http://www.eggxpert.com/forums/1/493743/ShowThread.aspx#493743 <---Handy dandy chart
Thoughts! I think I am going to purchase this tonight/tommorrow