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292 Posts
So currently I have the system in my signature, with a single XFX HD 7850 2GB @ 1015/1375.
It's not really cutting it as far as performance goes, for my needs at least. I want better scores in things like the new unigene valley benchmark. On the extreme HD settings I average around 28 FPS. Playing Crysis 3 on all high (not ultra) settings with AA off, I get about 30-35 FPS, but in many areas it drops to a stuttering 15-20FPS and makes it rather unplayable.
I mean most other games I can just about max out for the most part, but I want even more headroom and to be able to turn AA up to max setting in all my games and still maintain a playable FPS. I game @ 1080p by the way.
So here's the deal. My spending limit for this upgrade is around $325.
My main problem right now with upgrading my graphics is my power supply. This is the power supply I have: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817148022
Output says: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
Supposed to be "680W" but I doubt it's actually putting out that much, as with many power supplies. It's also only rated at > 70% efficiency which isn't all to fantastic.
Pretty sure that's not going to be enough amps for 2 HD 7850s in crossfire. Also, it says there is only 2 x 6 pin PCI Express connectors, but mine has 4 ? I dunno why. Still the same model, I still have the box and everything. My manual even states the same spec as only having two, but I still have 4 x 6 pin connectors. So while not having enough connections would have been a problem when going for crossfire, as the XFX HD 7850 require 2 x 6 pin, it's actually not an issue. So disregard that fact as connections won't be a problem.
So if I were to buy another HD 7850, I would also buy a new power supply, this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153157
I know that would be sufficient for the crossfire.
But, for just about the same total price, actually a little less, I can buy an HD 7950 instead. I'm not sure if my power supply is adequate for one even after looking at tons of graphs, mainly because I'm not sure of amperage draw. I think it would be ok, but I'd like to hear opinions from others about it. My power supply isn't that fantastic by any means.
Opinions on what would be the better option ? I really want to get better graphics performance but many people dislike crossfire because of driver issues, game compatibility issues, stuttering etc., that I'm thinking the HD 7950 would be a better idea.
As far as what brand HD 7950 I would choose, I'm not sure. I'd also like opinions on what the best for the money is.
All 7950s come with Crysis 3 and Bioshock Inf. It's a pretty good deal, while the HD 7850 comes with Bioshock Inf. and Tomb Raider instead, along with 4GB of DDR3 but I'll have zero use for it.
Also, I want to note that I can't seem to overclock past my current cards settings. I had it set @ 1100/1400 and was playing the new Devil May Cry for around 20 minutes when my computer completely hard rebooted without any BSOD. I'm not sure if my card is just unstable at those clocks or if my PSU isn't enough for the higher overclocks.
It's not really cutting it as far as performance goes, for my needs at least. I want better scores in things like the new unigene valley benchmark. On the extreme HD settings I average around 28 FPS. Playing Crysis 3 on all high (not ultra) settings with AA off, I get about 30-35 FPS, but in many areas it drops to a stuttering 15-20FPS and makes it rather unplayable.
I mean most other games I can just about max out for the most part, but I want even more headroom and to be able to turn AA up to max setting in all my games and still maintain a playable FPS. I game @ 1080p by the way.
So here's the deal. My spending limit for this upgrade is around $325.
My main problem right now with upgrading my graphics is my power supply. This is the power supply I have: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817148022
Output says: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
Supposed to be "680W" but I doubt it's actually putting out that much, as with many power supplies. It's also only rated at > 70% efficiency which isn't all to fantastic.
Pretty sure that's not going to be enough amps for 2 HD 7850s in crossfire. Also, it says there is only 2 x 6 pin PCI Express connectors, but mine has 4 ? I dunno why. Still the same model, I still have the box and everything. My manual even states the same spec as only having two, but I still have 4 x 6 pin connectors. So while not having enough connections would have been a problem when going for crossfire, as the XFX HD 7850 require 2 x 6 pin, it's actually not an issue. So disregard that fact as connections won't be a problem.
So if I were to buy another HD 7850, I would also buy a new power supply, this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153157
I know that would be sufficient for the crossfire.
But, for just about the same total price, actually a little less, I can buy an HD 7950 instead. I'm not sure if my power supply is adequate for one even after looking at tons of graphs, mainly because I'm not sure of amperage draw. I think it would be ok, but I'd like to hear opinions from others about it. My power supply isn't that fantastic by any means.
Opinions on what would be the better option ? I really want to get better graphics performance but many people dislike crossfire because of driver issues, game compatibility issues, stuttering etc., that I'm thinking the HD 7950 would be a better idea.
As far as what brand HD 7950 I would choose, I'm not sure. I'd also like opinions on what the best for the money is.
All 7950s come with Crysis 3 and Bioshock Inf. It's a pretty good deal, while the HD 7850 comes with Bioshock Inf. and Tomb Raider instead, along with 4GB of DDR3 but I'll have zero use for it.
Also, I want to note that I can't seem to overclock past my current cards settings. I had it set @ 1100/1400 and was playing the new Devil May Cry for around 20 minutes when my computer completely hard rebooted without any BSOD. I'm not sure if my card is just unstable at those clocks or if my PSU isn't enough for the higher overclocks.