Questions related to Custom Built

[Stavroforos]

Buy 6870 for that resolution 650W is more than enough or else wait for 69xx series if you're a Radeon only guy.

Hmmm in the build I've been customizing at ibuypower, whenever I choose a 6870 it tells me min recommended supply is 700W.

Are they lying or just being cautious?

[mrcrusty]

Hmmm in the build I've been customizing at ibuypower, whenever I choose a 6870 it tells me min recommended supply is 700W.

Are they lying or just being cautious?

Both.

A quality 500-550w is more than enough for a 6870, but junk generic power supplies can be rated at 700w but can only really deliver 400w. So 700w is a lie if the PSU is good, but cautious is the PSU is crap.

OP: Go with either 6850/6870, I've gone through a plethora of graphics card since I got rid of my 4890 diesel powered card, but I'll settle on a 6850. More performance, less power. I don't run 1920x1200 though, so a 6870 is good too.

What power supply do you have by the way?

[Stavroforos]

"Corsair CMPSU-750TX"

I chose 750 thinking that 700 was the min, so going over the top a bit for safety.

Oh and sorry for crashing your thread zach, but while we're here:

i7 2600 and i7 2600K, what's the difference? And will the former be good for a gaming rig?

Difference between H and P mobos, and is H good for gaming?

I'll be making my own thread about these soon enough, just have some quick questions.

Sorry again OP, lol.

[Ishan]

Posts moved and created a new thread.
With 750TX you can Use 2 6870 in crossfire now you know it's more than enough.

H&P mobos? Which mobos are you talking about as in model no's? Usually there is minor difference but we can't tell without comparing them or knowing the model no.

[Stavroforos]

Ughhh, H67 and P67...

..I also see some different companies, like Asus and Gigabyte.

[mrcrusty]

1. Corsair TX 750 is good. Not nearly the best, but cheap and solid.

2. Intel 2600 doesn't have an unlocked multiplier and the "k" model has an unlocked multiplier. The unlocked multiplier makes it much easier to overclock and tweak. Without an unlocked multiplier, you are only able to get a paltry 5-10% overclock maximum unlike the massive ~50% overclocks they show in the reviews with unlocked models. Both are good for gaming rigs and are basically identical at default speeds but the 2600k definitely has more potency to it.

3. P67 > H67. H67 is usually for HTPCs and/or general purpose PCs. P67 is more for tweakers, gamers, people who will utilise the extra features such as multi-GPU (due to more PCI-E lanes), 8+2 phase power + VRM heatsinks for larger and more stable overclocks, higher speed RAM, etc etc.

4. P67 is a chipset, motherboard manufacturers will have different motherboards with different features corresponding to different price points. If you do your research and buy the motherboard that suits your needs, then it's money well spent.

[Stavroforos]

Thanks mrcrusty! Remind me to Rep you when I can!

[Stavroforos]

Follow up question:

if I don't want to overclock, tune, or mess around with my graphics at all except like, download and install drivers lol, then an H67 will be fine?

[mrcrusty]

Follow up question:

if I don't want to overclock, tune, or mess around with my graphics at all except like, download and install drivers lol, then an H67 will be fine?

Yeah, it'll be fine.

[Stavroforos]

I want to hug you.

Thanks for all the help!

[Stavroforos]

So, what sort of major difference would be visible in gaming between an i5-2500 and an i7-2600?

[Freddie]

So, what sort of major difference would be visible in gaming between an i5-2500 and an i7-2600?

In terms of average frame rates zero and given that the stock clock speed between the two is a partly 100Mhz. If the difference was greater you would see a sizeable increase in minimum framerates but as it stands and given that you not overclocking the CPU save yourself the money and get a 2500. To be honest though the performance of these CPU's is staggering, even the cheapest Sandy Bridges can keep up with the Nehlam 6 core monsters in a lot of benchmarks so make sure you get a good video card and enjoy.

Just for the record on non K versions of Sandy Bridge overclocking is limited to about 38x multiplier in turbo only meaning you overclocked speed will only work in single threaded applications so when it's gaming it will run at stock speeds. Don't even think about adjusting the Bclk.

[Stavroforos]

In terms of average frame rates zero and given that the stock clock speed between the two is a partly 100Mhz. If the difference was greater you would see a sizeable increase in minimum framerates but as it stands and given that you not overclocking the CPU save yourself the money and get a 2500. To be honest though the performance of these CPU's is staggering, even the cheapest Sandy Bridges can keep up with the Nehlam 6 core monsters in a lot of benchmarks so make sure you get a good video card and enjoy.

Just for the record on non K versions of Sandy Bridge overclocking is limited to about 38x multiplier in turbo only meaning you overclocked speed will only work in single threaded applications so when it's gaming it will run at stock speeds. Don't even think about adjusting the Bclk.

Thanks for the thorough and quick answer, Fred! I don't plan on overclocking, which is why I avoided the K versions. Thanks for the information though, very helpful.

[Stavroforos]

I assume, however, that there is a considerable difference between 4 and 8GB of RAM? Or that there will be in the future?

[Ishan]

No apart from the fact that you use that many programs simultaneously that actually consumes that much amount of RAM.

[Stavroforos]

So would you say having 4GB would be fine with a Win7 system?

[Sphere]

So would you say having 4GB would be fine with a Win7 system?

For gaming yes, for multitasking its helpful to have more than 4Gigs at times. Personally I ran my Win7 gaming system on 4Gigs of RAM with no problems. If you are planning to use RAM intensive programs like 3D design programs more than 4Gigs is a must.

[Fridericus Rex]

Your question is: Will my PSU handle the Graphics Card?

To find out you'll need to open the side of your case and see the Sticker on the PSU, check the Amperage on the +12V Rail(s) and the total Wattage of the PSU.

Now what you have to do is check the Wattage and Amperage that your new Graphics Card needs and compare it to your PSU, Here:

AMD/ATI CrossfireX

Graphics Card Wattage +12V Rail
HD 6970 750W 52A
HD 6950 700W 50A
HD 6870 700W 44A
HD 6850 600W 40A
HD 5970 1200W 82A
HD 5870 750W 58A
HD 5850 700W 52A
HD 5830 700W 48A
HD 5770 650W 42A
HD 5750 600W 38A
HD 5670 550W 36A
HD 4890 750W 50A
HD 4870 600W 42A
HD 4850 550W 40A


AMD/ATI Single Card

Graphics Card Wattage +12V Rail
HD 6970 550W 32A
HD 6950 500W 30A
HD 6870 500W 32A
HD 6850 500W 30A
HD 5970 650W 42A
HD 5870 500W 34A
HD 5850 500W 32A
HD 5830 500W 30A
HD 5770 450W 26A
HD 5750 450W 26A
HD 5670 400W 22A
HD 4890 500W 36A
HD 4870 500W 34A
HD 4850 500W 30A
HD 4830 450W 28A
HD 4770 500W 28A
HD 4670 450W 26A
HD 4650 400W 24A
HD 4550 350W 22A

As you can see you must be fine.

[Stavroforos]

So then both these PSUs would work?

Type ATX12V / EPS12V
Fans 1 x 140mm fan
PFC Passive
Crossfire Ready
SLI Ready
Modular No
Efficiency No
Dimension (L x W x H) 5.9" x 5.9" x 3.4"
Connectors 1 x Main connector
1 x 12V(4+4Pin)
8 x peripheral
6 x SATA
1 x Floppy
2 x PCI-E(8Pin)

Type ATX12V / EPS12V
Fans 1 x 140mm fan
PFC Active
Crossfire Ready
SLI Certified
Modular No
Efficiency 80 PLUS Certified
Dimension (L x W x H) 6.3" x 5.9" x 3.4"
Connectors 1 x Main connector
1 x 12V(4/8Pin)
8 x peripheral
8 x SATA
2 x Floppy
4 x PCI-E(8Pin)

The above one is just listed as a Standard PSU by ibuypower, the second is Corsair CMPSU-750TX.

I don't see anything about amperage.

[Freddie]

Your just posting specs which doesn't help. Yes the wattage is important and I would say get a decent 600/650 watt PSU so your covered for all future upgrades and a PSU that you use again and again like I've done with my Seasonic S12 600 Watt which I've had since 2006. As a rule of thumb Seasonic, BeQuiet, Enermax, NZXT, OCZ, Antec all do quality PSU's don't be tempted by cheaper brands like Rosewill, the price is a good guide to the quality of the PSU.