PSU Question

2006-12-05 17:15:23

#1

BigmacK: Back from the Dead.; +628|7206|Chicago.

A close buddy of mine is looking to upgrade to a higher grade GPU and a faster processor. He wasn't exactly sure on what he should do, so I thought I'd at least get the input of some of the experts arround here.

Just in case this matters, these are his current system specs:

400W Ultra PS
2 120 GIG HD's
nVidia 6600GT AGP
AMD 3000+
2 GB RAM

The first issue: The processor.

He's finally sick of his 3000, running 1.8 Ghz. I suggested this processor, because its a decent upgrade, and because of the mail in rebate. Its a 939, so I think it should be fine. Am I correct?

The second issue: The GPU.

He's ready for an upgrade in this department too. He's thinking of an EVGA GeForce 7800 GS. This one. But he's wondering if his PSU is going to be enough. This is what the site says about the card and PSU:

Minimum of a 350 Watt power supply.
(Minimum recommended power supply with +12 Volt current rating of 18 Amp Amps.)

Can he do these upgrades?

2006-12-05 17:25:01

#2

Brasso: member; +1,549|7086

He should be fine, but he might kick himself later for getting another single-core. His mobo supports Socket 939, right?

"people in ny have a general idea of how to drive. one of the pedals goes forward the other one prevents you from dying"

2006-12-05 17:25:39

#3

ssonrats: Member; +221|7101

Go for a 3800X2 if you can afford a little extra.

2006-12-05 17:31:40

#4

Bertster7: Confused Pothead; +1,101|7037|SE London

I wouldn't advise getting a 7800GS. The AGP doesn't run fast enough for it to be worth the extra money. You'd be better off with a 7600 series card which won't be so horribly bottlenecked by the interface.

7800 on AGP = fail.

Below a 7800 it doesn't matter much because you don't saturate the maximum bandwidth of the AGP. It's the newest AGP card around for a reason.

Use the extra cash to get a better CPU.

Last edited by Bertster7 (2006-12-05 17:32:10)

2006-12-05 17:53:28

#5

Brasso: member; +1,549|7086

Bertster7 wrote:
I wouldn't advise getting a 7800GS. The AGP doesn't run fast enough for it to be worth the extra money. You'd be better off with a 7600 series card which won't be so horribly bottlenecked by the interface.

7800 on AGP = fail.

Below a 7800 it doesn't matter much because you don't saturate the maximum bandwidth of the AGP. It's the newest AGP card around for a reason.

Use the extra cash to get a better CPU.

What are you talking about. Manufacturers didn't even max out on AGP bandwidth before they ditched it for PCI-E. That damn PCI-E is such a slut.

"people in ny have a general idea of how to drive. one of the pedals goes forward the other one prevents you from dying"

2006-12-06 04:24:12

#6

GC_PaNzerFIN: Work and study @ Technical Uni; +528|6870|Finland

I have read so many reviews saying that PCI-E doesn't improve performance compared to AGP (I think that G80s are the first ones that really need it). but because they don't sell nice GPUs for AGP, PCI-E is future.

edit: that single core will be the FAIL in one year so I suggest buying X2

Last edited by [69th_GFH]GC_PaNzerFIN (2006-12-06 04:26:27)

3930K | H100i | RIVF | 16GB DDR3 | GTX 480 | AX750 | 800D | 512GB SSD | 3TB HDD | Xonar DX | W8

2006-12-06 04:31:28

#7

GC_PaNzerFIN: Work and study @ Technical Uni; +528|6870|Finland

I have 380w PSU and 3500+, X800XT PE. I got serious power problems so get better PSU too or ur buddy goes nuts. My issue has something to do with my a8n-sli deluxe too but just wanted to tell.

3930K | H100i | RIVF | 16GB DDR3 | GTX 480 | AX750 | 800D | 512GB SSD | 3TB HDD | Xonar DX | W8

2006-12-06 04:48:54

#8

BigmacK: Back from the Dead.; +628|7206|Chicago.

haffeysucks wrote:
He should be fine, but he might kick himself later for getting another single-core. His mobo supports Socket 939, right?

Yeah, but he says he dosen't need dual core. All he does is one or two applications at a time, he has no need for a dual. And yes, his mobo is a Socket 939.

ssonrats wrote:
Go for a 3800X2 if you can afford a little extra.

He's trying to stick to a particular budget, plus we found a 7600 that would be better for his system.

Bertster7 wrote:
I wouldn't advise getting a 7800GS. The AGP doesn't run fast enough for it to be worth the extra money. You'd be better off with a 7600 series card which won't be so horribly bottlenecked by the interface.

Use the extra cash to get a better CPU.

He agrees with you and the bottlenecking thing, and has selected a 7600 that will be a vast improvement without any particular bottlenecking. Again, he dosen't want a dual core. He just needs one dedicated core for when he runs his particular programs.

[69th_GFH]GC_PaNzerFIN wrote:
that single core will be the FAIL in one year so I suggest buying X2

See what I said above. And he's found a nice 450 unit PSU.

Anybody have any other suggestions besides those that have been brought up already?

BF2S Forums PSU Question

Bertster7 wrote:

haffeysucks wrote:

ssonrats wrote:

Bertster7 wrote:

[69th_GFH]GC_PaNzerFIN wrote:

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