Graphics Card Help

[GPUNoob]

Hello, I bought a graphics today for $150 "Gigabyte GeForce GTX 750 Ti Overclocked 2GB" (Link)for one of my computers. The computer's specs are below.

After I got it a friend told me that this card is a waste because my system is too old (3 years) for the card. He said I should just return it and get a cheaper card. But I plan on upgrading my processor and motherboard in the summer so I can reuse this card again. But he says that in summer the 780Ti will lower to $150 and I can just get that then. So should I return it and get a older GPU model or just use this one? Not even sure if my PSU can run this. I'm a complete noob at building that's why I ended up making poor decisions. Please help.

 

[TemjinGold]

He's wrong, don't listen to him.

 

[nurturedhate]

Your friend seems to be rather poorly informed. While your cpu may indeed be 3 years old it is still a fine cpu and that gpu is basically the bottom end of what I would consider a gpu that would be used for gaming. That cpu could easily support a MUCH faster gpu no problem.

 

[GPUNoob]

So this GPU should run fine on my current system regardless of the low watts PSU?

 

[Red Hawk]

Your system is fine for that card. Your CPU is fine, it's a decent Intel quad-core. No need to return your graphics card, if anything you can resell it when you upgrade your CPU and motherboard in the summer.

Also, your friend is living in a dreamland if he thinks the 780 Ti will drop to $150 this summer.

So this GPU should run fine on my current system regardless of the low watts PSU?

Yes. The 750 Ti is a very power efficient card.

 

[GPUNoob]

Thank you guys so much for your responses. I was almost ready to return it. I guess I will install it now

 

[BUTCH1]

I would add a small SSD to your system and use it as you boot drive and keep a few games on it as well. You can now get a 128Gb SSD for around $49-53 or if you want to keep more games a 250GB hovers around the $98-105 mark. It can be used in any future builds and they "live up to the hype", gone are the days of waiting, my ancient E8400@3.6Ghz system gets to desktop in about 13 seconds, I paid $150ish for mine 4 years ago and I still consider it the best $$ ever spent in any computer upgrade.

 

[DooKey]

That 750Ti will match up nicely with what you have. It will run everything pretty well at 900p.

 

[myocardia]

Hi, Noob. Welcome to Anandtech. The reason your computer is so slow has nothing to do with your CPU. You have the second-fastest Sandy Bridge i5. You just have one of it's legs tied behind it's back, if not 1.5. 4GB of system RAM is what we used 10 years ago, with 32-bit Windows XP. Not only that, but you are using it at half speed, since you are using only one channel out of the two that are available.

You are using your hard drive as if it were system RAM, which it isn't. It's about 1/100th as fast as system RAM, if that. Do yourself a HUGE favor, and find $55 to triple your system RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231567 With that one 8GB stick of RAM, you'll solve two problems at once. You'll now have 300% more RAM, and you will be running it at twice the throughput, since you'll be running it in dual-channel.

 

[Techhog]

... Please never take any sort of computer advice from that friend of yours. In fact, don't let him within 10 feet of your tower. Your friend sounds like one of those console gamers who think that if you don't upgrade your PC every 6 months you'll be forced to play games on low at 720p.

 

[ocre]

... Please never take any sort of computer advice from that friend of yours. In fact, don't let him within 10 feet of your tower. Your friend sounds like one of those console gamers who think that if you don't upgrade your PC every 6 months you'll be forced to play games on low at 720p.

Totally agree. Do not take advice from that guy. You already know more than this guy. Also, forums are always extremely helpful.

Hi, Noob. Welcome to Anandtech. The reason your computer is so slow has nothing to do with your CPU. You have the second-fastest Sandy Bridge i5. You just have one of it's legs tied behind it's back, if not 1.5. 4GB of system RAM is what we used 10 years ago, with 32-bit Windows XP. Not only that, but you are using it at half speed, since you are using only one channel out of the two that are available.

You are using your hard drive as if it were system RAM, which it isn't. It's about 1/100th as fast as system RAM, if that. Do yourself a HUGE favor, and find $55 to triple your system RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231567 With that one 8GB stick of RAM, you'll solve two problems at once. You'll now have 300% more RAM, and you will be running it at twice the throughput, since you'll be running it in dual-channel.

That was a good catch,
But can he run mix matched ram capacities in dual channel?

is that possible with his board and CPU?

 

[myocardia]

That was a good catch,
But can he run mix matched ram capacities in dual channel?

is that possible with his board and CPU?

Yes, it has been possible since the very end of the P4-era, on all of Intel's chipsets. Now, don't get me wrong, not ALL of the RAM will be in dual-channel, but if he puts the 8GB stick into the other channel, he will have 8GB in dual-channel (2x4GB), plus the other half of the 8GB stick in single-channel. Intel calls this "Flex mode", and it is the example at the bottom of this page: http://www.intel.com/support/motherboards/desktop/sb/CS-011965.htm

 

[GPUNoob]

Thank you all so much for all the advice. I installed the GPU successfully and it is running well. I'm glad I found Anandtech. And yes my friend is one of those kids who thinks he needs to upgrade every few months lol. I've had this system for 3 years and it's great.

I also have the same question as ocre, whether I should purchase a different RAM stick for my second slot?

EDIT: Myocardia answered before I asked lol. Thank you for the information I will go ahead and order that 8 GB stick.

Thank You!

 

[myocardia]

I also have the same question as ocre, whether I should purchase a different RAM stick for my second slot?

EDIT: Myocardia answered before I asked lol. Thank you for the information I will go ahead and order that 8 GB stick.

Thank You!

I'd personally recommend the 8GB stick, for one reason: you'll have 50% more RAM than you would if you ordered a 4GB stick. If money is extremely tight, then even just another 4GB stick of that GSkill RAM would be awesome, compared to the 4GB you have now.

edit: Here is the link for the 4GB stick: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...re=G.Skill_Ripjaws_4GB-_-20-231-313-_-Product

 

[TurtleCrusher]

I would personally just get another matched 4GB stick. I'm never even close to hitting my RAM limit.

 

[ElFenix]

i'm not sure i'd even bother with the additional ram:
http://hexus.net/tech/reviews/cpu/68797-intel-pentium-g3220-22nm-haswell/?page=7

take a look at the chart down at the bottom - 4GB is single channel, showing basically no difference from the dual channel results.

channel scaling with discrete cards really should be thoroughly investigated. i have no doubt that if you're using the igp for gaming, more channels is helpful. but when using a discrete gpu? it's taken as a matter of faith.

 

[runzwithsizorz]

I would personally just get another matched 4GB stick. I'm never even close to hitting my RAM limit.

I agree 100%