The Computer Megathread

[HerpaDerp]

Damn, wish I got the Sapphire 6870. XFX has better warranty and all, but the XFX card is voltage-locked, while the Sapphire is unlocked. I coudl've gotten more juice out of the Sapphire :/

[Ad Bot]

[Legodude77]

So what is the best GPU for no power from the power supply and the lowest priced and lowest consumption GPU with power from the power supply?

[Ethan]

Damn, wish I got the Sapphire 6870. XFX has better warranty and all, but the XFX card is voltage-locked, while the Sapphire is unlocked. I coudl've gotten more juice out of the Sapphire :/

Stock coolers are useless for overclocking anyway.
If you want to overclock, get a higher end graphics card.

[steve5451]

Stock coolers are useless for overclocking anyway.
If you want to overclock, get a higher end graphics card.

Overclocking with my Powercolor 6950 2GB was fine. I got it at 915 core and highest memory frequency and it never exceeded 65c during games using MSI Afterburner, but it does have dual fans. :o

[Ethan]

So what is the best GPU for no power from the power supply and the lowest priced and lowest consumption GPU with power from the power supply?

They all take power from the PSU, however it's limited to 75w when there are no additional connectors.
The PCI-E lane delivers 75w, each 6-pin PCI-E connector delivers 75w and each 8-pin PCI-E connector delivers 150w.

The highest one that relies solely on PCI-E lane power is the 6670.
Keep in mind that this does not speak for all 6670s, as some third party coolers require more power. Do check first.

This 6750 also doesn't require extra power:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161395&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10440897&PID=3891137&SID=rewrite
However this is the only 6750 that doesn't.

Do remember that even though they don't require extra power, doesn't mean you can skimp on the PSU selection. A good quality, at least 400w PSU is still highly recommended.

[Ethan]

Overclocking with my Powercolor 6950 2GB was fine. I got it at 915 core and highest memory frequency and it never exceeded 65c during games using MSI Afterburner, but it does have dual fans. :o

I'm meaning more like what he is wanting, where you ramp up voltage and all that stuff. Extreme overclocking.
No point on a 6870 IMO.

[Legodude77]

Hmm, you did say that my PSU wasn't as good as a 80+ but you did say it was good so I might get that 6750.
One review said they ran it on a stock 300w dell PSU.

[steve5451]

I'm meaning more like what he is wanting, where you ramp up voltage and all that stuff. Extreme overclocking.
No point on a 6870 IMO.

I did raise the voltage.

[Captain Crazy]

This 6750 also doesn't require extra power:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161395&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10440897&PID=3891137&SID=rewrite
However this is the only 6750 that doesn't.

Hey Ethan, you seem pretty darned knowledgable. Would that card have a visible improvement from my ATI Radeon 5450 that came with this computer? I only have a 450w supply and 120 bucks, so I can't really push the budgets on super-quality gear.

[KoopaScooper]

It would definitely have an improvement from the 5450. That card is outdated and was (partially) crap when it was made.

[Jubel]

Any good cards out there similar to the dimensions of the Radeon HD 5450.
I really want to get the mofo replaced. The only thing is, this computer is prebuilt, so I don't have lots of extra space.

[Captain Crazy]

It would definitely have an improvement from the 5450. That card is outdated and was (partially) crap when it was made.

Goody. Is it a solid purchase, y'think? I'm guessing (seeing as they're both pretty basic cards) it's a matter of simply switching the cards out, removing the old drivers and installing the new drivers?

[KoopaScooper]

As long as you have a decent PSU, yeah. It's bang-on.

[Ethan]

Hmm, you did say that my PSU wasn't as good as a 80+ but you did say it was good so I might get that 6750.
One review said they ran it on a stock 300w dell PSU.

You'd have to be stupid.

Hey Ethan, you seem pretty darned knowledgable. Would that card have a visible improvement from my ATI Radeon 5450 that came with this computer? I only have a 450w supply and 120 bucks, so I can't really push the budgets on super-quality gear.

Yeah that would be really good.
If your PSU is high enough quality you could get a higher model, depending on if it had the right connections. Mind telling me the model of your PSU?

Any good cards out there similar to the dimensions of the Radeon HD 5450.
I really want to get the mofo replaced. The only thing is, this computer is prebuilt, so I don't have lots of extra space.

Tell me exactly how much space you have and I'll show you the best thing.

Goody. Is it a solid purchase, y'think? I'm guessing (seeing as they're both pretty basic cards) it's a matter of simply switching the cards out, removing the old drivers and installing the new drivers?

With most modern AMD cards you can actually keep the same drivers, lol.
But I always uninstall them and reinstall them anyway.

[Becquerel]

Whats the best Sandy Bridge CPU a laptop can support if a Laptop can support SB?