Thinking of upgrading to Radeon HD 6570

[dave2849]

I was thinking of upgrading my desktop computer's integrated graphics to a Radeon HD 6570 card. I mainly want to upgrade because I plan on using my desktop as an HTPC. I want to be able to play the most popular video formats smoothly as well as blu ray smoothly on a 40" Samsung LCD TV. I will also do some light gaming. I have a gateway desktop that came with a 300W psu. From what I can tell, this is enough power to safely power the 6570 based on its TPD rating and my other system specs even though AMD suggests a minimum of a 400W psu. I was also considering going with a Radeon HD 6670 but I am not sure I want to spend an extra $40 on that card (card is $90 w/ GDDR5 mem.). I don't really want to upgrade my psu if I don't have to.

Am I okay on the power and which of the two cards do you recommend I get?

My system specs: (Gateway DX4710)

PSU
-Lite-on 300W (came with system)
Processor
-Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300 2.5 GHz
Motherboard
-Gateway G33MO5G1
Video Card
-Integrated Intel
Audio
-Integrated Intel
RAM
-Samsung 4 GB DDR2-SDRAM PC2-6400
HDD
-5400 rpm 640GB
Optical drive
-DVD-R/RW drive

 

[Silverforce11]

6670 and 7770 class are decent entry gaming cards.. the 6570 is too slow to be worthwhile. your PSU will handle it fine, these cards barely suck any juice.

 

[toyota]

no his psu is NOT sufficient. we go through this all the time with OEM comps. that psu is rated for 15 amp at unrealistic 25 to 30 C. in real world conditions it made 11 to 12 amps at best when new. after many years of use there is no way it can provide more than 9 or 10 amps. and its built with bottom of the barrel parts and has no protection when it blows too so only asking for trouble.

 

[Termie]

^ I think you're over-reacting there toyota. He's talking about adding a video card with a TDP around 50W. His processor has a 95W TDP. Even at an extreme load, his system won't pull more than about 160W.

He can use the 6570, no problem.

 

[toyota]

^ I think you're over-reacting there toyota. He's talking about adding a video card with a TDP around 50W. His processor has a 95W TDP. Even at an extreme load, his system won't pull more than about 160W.

He can use the 6570, no problem.

can you not do simple math though? he does not even have but about 120 watts on the 12v to work with.

 

[Termie]

can you not do simple math though? he does not even have but about 120 watts on the 12v to work with.

I'd do the math but I knew you were spitting out false numbers.

He's got 19A on the 12V rail: http://www.pjcomputers.net/hp585008...300w24-pin4-pinatx12vsatapowersupply2900.aspx

His system can handle a 150W load.

 

[toyota]

I'd do the math but you're pulling numbers out of thin air. You're suggesting his 300W PSU can't put out more than 120W. He's got 180W on the 12V - I'm not buying your spin on the numbers.

well its not my fault you don't have a clue about cheap oem power supplies. I already broke it down for you and yes those numbers would be about right. you have no business giving advice if you think it makes its rated 12v power under realistic conditions when new much less after 4 years.

 

[Termie]

well its not my fault you don't have a clue about cheap oem power supplies. I already broke it down for you and yes those numbers would be about right. you have no business giving advice if you think it makes its rated 12v power under realistic conditions when new much less after 4 years.

You do realize that if your math were correct, his power supply could barely power the CPU, motherboard, and hard drive in that system, right?

Honestly, he should give us more information about his PSU before we go on and on about this. He can just read the 12V information off the label.

 

[toyota]

You do realize that if you're math were correct, his power supply could barely power the CPU, motherboard, and hard drive in that system, right?

Honestly, he should give us more information about his PSU before we go on and on about this. He can just read the 12V information off the label.

well if it was the one they typically used back then then my numbers are right. it might be one of the upgraded 300 watt psus though and they had better 12v rails.

 

[dave2849]

Hey guys, I opened up my case and the model # of my psu is PS-6301-08A. This is the link to the product page:

http://www.ascendtech.us/liteon-300-watt-power-supply-ps-6301-08a_i_csplonps630108a.aspx

Some other info on the side of the PSU:

-Combined power on +3.3V and +5V rails not exceed 130W
-Combined power on +12V1 and +12V2 rails not exceed 20A
-At ambient 25 degrees Celsius total output power shall not exceed 300W
-At ambient 50 degrees Celsius total output power shall not exceed 270W

If I had to buy a power supply I was looking at the Rosewill Capstone 80 Plus Gold 450W Psu which is $60 on Newegg. I would get the Radeon 7750 since it is roughly the same price as the 6670 and has similar power requirements. I would ideally get the Radeon 7770 but it supposedly takes up space for two slots on the motherboard and I only have space for 1.

If there is any risk at all of damaging my computer with a Radeon 7750 card or even a 6570 then I will just get a new Psu.

 

[toyota]

that psu is still really low quality but it replaced the really crappy one that was probably relegated to just the Emachines line few years ago. that psu probably makes about 13-14 amps in real world conditions after a few years. that is 168 watts and 90-95% of your power needs to come from that. cpu is rated for 95 watts but probably uses a little less around 80 watts or so. a 7750 will use about 60 watts. rest of the pc would use at least 50 watts. thats 190 watts right there if played something that fully pushed the cpu and gpu. probably around 160-170 watts or so would be more realistic for most games. you might be "ok" with a 6570 and the 7750 only uses a little bit more power. if the cheap psu goes though it has no protection and could damage other components so I would get a new psu.

 

[BigChickenJim]

OP, I agree with Termie. I don't think you'll have any issues on that PSU with a 6570.

However, the other gentleman does have a point about the PSU having no protection protocols if it fails. It's not common, but a PSU supernova with no failsafes can be very, very bad. For that reason alone I think you should look into a new PSU. Think of it as an insurance policy.

 

[Termie]

OP - I do agree that the best course of action is to purchase a new PSU, both to support a new video card and just for quieter and more reliable operation. However, you should take measurements of your current PSU to make sure you buy a PSU with similar dimensions. That product page you provided doesn't include dimensions, but I can see that the PSU is very short, and may also be narrower than standard. No reason to take a risk - just take out a tape measure. As a tip, the excellent budget PSUs in Corsair's CX series are quite compact. For your system, I'd recommend the Corsair CX430M: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...irtualParent=1

It just so happens to be $25AR right now, which is a screaming deal.

As for the 7750 versus 7770, you said you only had one video card slot. Actually, the 7770 still only needs one connector slot but hangs over the second slot, and I'm assuming (although you should check) that your system in fact has at least four slots. Easiest thing to do is just look at the back of the case to see how many punch-out slot covers there are.

 

[frozentundra123456]

I ran a low power 9800GT for years on an Acer OEM 300 watt power supply with no problems. I believe that card took 65 watts. So chances are anything up to a HD 7750 should be OK.

For less than 100.00, the 7750 would seem the ideal choice. I would not recommend a 7770 though, and I am sure the psu doesn't have the 6 pin connector needed for the 7770.

 

[bryanW1995]

OP - I do agree that the best course of action is to purchase a new PSU, both to support a new video card and just for quieter and more reliable operation. However, you should take measurements of your current PSU to make sure you buy a PSU with similar dimensions. That product page you provided doesn't include dimensions, but I can see that the PSU is very short, and may also be narrower than standard. No reason to take a risk - just take out a tape measure. As a tip, the excellent budget PSUs in Corsair's CX series are quite compact. For your system, I'd recommend the Corsair CX430M: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...irtualParent=1

It just so happens to be $25AR right now, which is a screaming deal.

As for the 7750 versus 7770, you said you only had one video card slot. Actually, the 7770 still only needs one connector slot but hangs over the second slot, and I'm assuming (although you should check) that your system in fact has at least four slots. Easiest thing to do is just look at the back of the case to see how many punch-out slot covers there are.

Seems like frozentundra has the best advice. However, if you do upgrade, that cx430 is a fantastic value for $25.

 

[toyota]

I ran a low power 9800GT for years on an Acer OEM 300 watt power supply with no problems. I believe that card took 65 watts. So chances are anything up to a HD 7750 should be OK.

For less than 100.00, the 7750 would seem the ideal choice. I would not recommend a 7770 though, and I am sure the psu doesn't have the 6 pin connector needed for the 7770.

you know that means very little without listing your other specs and the exact psu you had too. the op has a relativity power hungry cpu that alone eats up about half his realistic available power on the 12v. his psu is as about as low end as it can get and has several years of use on it. a great deal of those psus will have died without ever even trying to power a discreet card. so yeah he may be ok but not for long and again that psu has no protection to keep it from damaging other components when it goes.

25 bucks for a CX430 will be money well spent.

 

[Jimzz]

I would try for a better power supply and a 7770 or 7790.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I hate to say it, but I agree with Toyota on this one, even if he is being a little bit militant about it. OEM PSUs really suck, especially after a few years of usage.

Just don't make the mistake of replacing it with something worse, like a Deer / Huntkey / Coolmax / Raidmax / PowMax / Diablotek / etc. (Edit: Forgot Apevia, and some HEC models.)

 

[yottabit]

I've bought 2 sets of these for two different systems and they work great. They still seem to be relevant good deals (if you have amazon prime at least)

Sapphire 7770 Ghz Edition, $105 w/ prime with $15 MIR ($90 after MIR)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Silverstone 450W SFX 80 Plus Bronze PSU $64 w/ prime (also includes ATX adapter, I needed a smallish power supply- this is good if you have a small case but the cables are short)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Both are very quiet. Nice thing is I figure when it's finally time to upgrade I'll get a new vid card for one system and crossfire the 7770s in the other.

 

[hackerballs]

are you all kiddin' me arguing about a low quality PSU that should be used as a doorstop now that it's old. These PSU's degrade over time and Toyota has it correct...........

mow someone's lawn and EARN enough for something better.....even you said AMD wanted 400W.............no brainer..........recommend 550W 80+ certified Brand Name PSU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817341022 like that one or similar

Use this guide and then double it for effective power http://www.extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp

Buy the 7750 for entry level card with a bandwidth of 72.0 GB/s.. ...might as well buy the 7000's series...or spend more and buy better



Windows 8/1000W Gold/i7 3770k/GA Z77-UD5H/32g RAM @ 1600/GTX780/Vertex3 120g SSD

 

[BigChickenJim]

Hackerballs, I think we've all recommended that OP get a new PSU. We've just said that he'd likely be ok in a basic level with his current one in the short-term.

 

[Stuka87]

I don't always agree with Toyota, but in this case I do 100%. Buy a 7750 if you truly only have a single slot of space. Get the 7770 if you have space for the cooler to hang down a bit.

Buy tha PSU mentioned above, its a steel for $25 AR.