Cheap Upgrade

[Alexandre]

I found the same PSU as yours being sold for $70, I'm still asking how many months it has been used yet. Anyway, would you recommend that?

Na don't go for my PSU. I have had it for about 1.5 years now and it's already making strange noises. I bought it before I read up on PSUs and began to understand their importance - like a relic from my more ignorant years.

 

The one you were looking at is better.

 

2. With that said, I'm contemplating on whether to buy the XFX 6950 1GB or the Sapphire 6950 2GB. Both are being sold at the same price by the way. So, which one should I buy?

If they are the same price then get the one with more VRAM (ie the 2GB version). It gives you an extra 1GB free.

Edited December 20, 2011 by Alexandre

[Rray]

With that settled, I'll probably buy the Sapphire 6950 2GB on Thursday. All that's left is for me to save up about $200 after Christmas and work on a new Case and PSU.

 

Basically, on my list would be the Sapphire 6950 2GB, a new case and a PSU. I won't go for a new motherboard considering the possible price drop by mid 2012 on Sandy Bridge processor, which I intend to switch to eventually.

 

Questions:

 

1. Do I need to buy a new mobo if I buy the 6950?

2. Could anyone suggest a case that's in the $50-$100 price range? Include a PSU as well. I'll work on a list first before I decide on which to buy by Monday next week.

 

As of the moment, I have these in mind:

- http://www.silverstonetek.com/product_power.php?tno=1&area=en

- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817339025

Edited December 20, 2011 by Ray Ian

[d6bmg]

1. No, you won't need IMO.

2. That newegg link of that PSU is deactivated.

What is your total rough budget for case+PSU ?

[Rray]

I could spend about $200 for the case and PSU.

 

Hopefully, with that $200, I could get a few additional fans.

 

Just an update, I'm going to buy 6950 2GB tomorrow, bought it for P9,000 or roughly about $225. I'll go over to my brother's house tomorrow since I have no school and test the card in his rig. I'm afraid to test it in my unit, considering that I've read a lot of bad things about generic PSUs.

 

I know it's not new but, I know the seller anyway. So ...

 

For now, I'm still eyeing this PSU:

 

http://www.silverstonetek.com/product_power.php?tno=1&area=en

 

Double EDIT:

 

Found this being recommended at some local forums I've been lurking. Anyone here using this?

 

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/750-watt-psu-80-plus-gold,2927-4.html

 

Here's something cheaper and of the same manufacturer. Sorry for the review, I couldn't find something better.

 

http://www.conversense.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=24&Itemid=18

 

Personally, I haven't read about FSP before until now. Though, I'm not that literate when it comes to PSUs and computer parts in general. So, I absolutely need some help regarding this one.

Edited December 21, 2011 by Ray Ian

[Alexandre]

For now, I'm still eyeing this PSU:

 

http://www.silverstonetek.com/product_power.php?tno=1&area=en

 

Double EDIT:

 

Found this being recommended at some local forums I've been lurking. Anyone here using this?

 

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/750-watt-psu-80-plus-gold,2927-4.html

 

Here's something cheaper and of the same manufacturer. Sorry for the review, I couldn't find something better.

 

http://www.conversense.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=24&Itemid=18

 

Personally, I haven't read about FSP before until now. Though, I'm not that literate when it comes to PSUs and computer parts in general. So, I absolutely need some help regarding this one.

 

Which PSU are you looking at over at silverstone website? - the link given goes to page which shows a large number of different PSUs

 

I haven't heard of FSP before either. The FSP 80+ Gold 750 w PSU looks promising especially given this postivie review. It has 4 +12 volt rails, each rated at a lower maximum current which means you have to be careful how you distribute the power to your CPU/GPU but as stated in the review given, if you set it up right then you will have sufficient power to every component.

 

How much for the FSP 80+ Gold 750w?

[Rray]

It's a little over $110. I'd put my cost at about $150, though, considering that the nearest store that sells it (not to mention the cheapest) is far from me.

 

On the good side, I just bought the Sapphire 6950 2GB.

 

What do you guys think? Should I put it in my computer now or not? I can't test it in my brother's house since he's having a party and I'd hate to disturb him in such a good time. It worked pretty well in the seller's rig, though, he had a much better case and PSU.

 

Here's a few pictures, by the way:

 

http://img214.imageshack.us/slideshow/webplayer.php?id=imag0005vq.jpg

 

EDIT:

 

Here's the link to my preferred PSU.

 

http://www.silverstonetek.com/product.php?pid=274&area=en

 

I've been reading reviews about FSP Aurum Gold and most seem good.

Edited December 22, 2011 by Ray Ian

[Rray]

Found a Corsair Gaming Series 600W for about $95. I couldn't find any reviews though, here are two links that I found useful.

 

http://reviews.bestbuy.com/3545/1073679/corsair-gaming-series-600-watt-atx-cpu-power-supply-reviews/reviews.htm

http://www.corsair.com/power-supply-units/gaming-series-power-supply-units/gs600w.html

 

http://www.hardwareheaven.com/reviews/1146/pg1/corsair-gs800-power-supply-review-introduction.html

 

Still, being a noob, I wouldn't trust myself in making such a rash decision. Silverstone seems to be a preferred brand in another city. So, I'm narrowing it down between the Silverstone and this one.

 

EDIT:

 

Posted a review from hardware heaven. It's about the 800W though, still, they're of the same series. So, aside from the difference in maximum wattage, I'm guessing they're pretty much the same.

Edited December 22, 2011 by Ray Ian

[zoblul]

The Corsair gaming series looks alright, here's another positive review http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Corsair-GS800-Power-Supply-Review/1103/1

[d6bmg]

Pairing GS600 with 6950 is dangerous.

 

 

You need at least a 700Watt PSU. May be look at GS700 as a cheap upgrade.

Better option: Corsair TX 750 V2 @ $105.

[Rray]

Considering that you guys suggest a 700W PSU, the best one I could find and afford would be the Coolermaster GX 750W. That or I go with the FSP Aurum Gold series. Still, as far as availability goes, I'd be able to pick up the Coolermaster GX 750W right away. Though, I doubt its quality since Alexandre uses the same PSU only it has 550W and he says its starting to make funny noises already.

 

I'm choosing between the FSP Aurum Gold 700W and the Coolermaster GX 750W. Both are priced the same, while the former, I have to ask my brother to buy it for me while he's still in Cebu. A city that has wider range of available computer-related products compared to where I'm in. I've read bad reviews regarding the coolermaster and for the FSP, what I've read are mostly only good reviews.

 

Comparison:

 

FSP Aurum Gold Series:

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/FSP-Aurum-Gold-700-Power-Supply-Review/1228

 

Coolermaster GX Series:

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/917

Edited December 23, 2011 by Ray Ian

[Alexandre]

Pairing GS600 with 6950 is dangerous.

 

 

You need at least a 700Watt PSU. May be look at GS700 as a cheap upgrade.

Better option: Corsair TX 750 V2 @ $105.

Not true my friend. Look at my system....do I need a least a 700w PSU? The 6950 is a revision of my card and requires a bit more power - but in the end the system will pull a maximum of 400W.

His system will run fine on 550W but will limit upgradability.

 

He doesn't need a 700W psu but it's still a good idea to get one (ie more PSUs available, more connectors, better efficiency) especially if he goes for the FSP supply which is a great PSU.

 

@OP I think it's a no brainer - if both PSUs a priced the same then get the FSP Aurum Gold 700W. It would be worth the wait getting it from Cebu IMO.

[Rray]

I tried calculating and the results were pretty obvious that I needed a 700W PSU.

 

With a AMD Athlon X4

My Motherboard

The 6950pi

1 4GB DDR3

DVD RW

7200 RPM 3.5" HDD

 

This http://educations.newegg.com/tool/psucalc/index.html said that I needed 514W.

 

Safe to say, I need that FSP Aurum Gold. I'll just call my brother to buy one for me from Cebu.

 

Thanks a lot for the help guys!