$220 5770 versus $130 5750

[White_Noise]

Yes, I realize the 5770 goes for around $160, but my PSU is only 300w. Now, I believe I could get away with a 5750 on 300w, but I'm not going to risk a 5770 so I'll have to upgrade my PSU for around $60 if I go for the 5770.

My monitor's max resolution is 1680 x 1050.

I'd have no problem paying $20-30 more for the step up for the 5770, but I think it's pretty clear that the upgrade is not worth almost a hundred bucks?

OR

am I making a big mistake risking a 5750 on Bestec 300w power supply?

 

[AMW1011]

The 5750 will need a good 400w PSU, minimum.

 

[nrnx]

I say splurge and get the 5770 plus the PSU. The newer PSU will do you good for future upgrades.

 

[jyjjy]

Nah, it doesn't need a 400w, a quality 300-350w PSU should handle an HD5750(it barely uses it's power connector if at all.)
That said Bestec is definitely not a quality brand and I wouldn't put an HD5750 in that thing so you will need to upgrade your PSU anyway if you want a card of that caliber.

 

[White_Noise]

Newegg is giving me a hard time about changing my order (even though it would be in their best interests as it's much more expensive :/).

How risky would it be to run the 5750 with the 300w psu? I realize it's impossible to quantify, but are we taking about a huge risk or a slight risk? I'm not overclocking or anything so my system shouldn't be a big power drain. I have a 2.6Ghz 810 Phenom II X4.

 

[jyjjy]

This mentions Bestec PSUs frying motherboards...
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=154
So do it at your own risk.

 

[magneezo]

This mentions Bestec PSUs frying motherboards...
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=154
So do it at your own risk.

Bestec is so OEM. We have the newer 24-pin 80 certified unit in an HP downstairs and it's running an x800xl with no problems.
It would be worthwhile to replace the PSU with a good 450 watt at least of a dual 12+ volt rail of at least 26a. Or..
Go all out and get a 600 watt psu for a few bucks more and leverage that 12v+ to around 48a so you can run the bigger cards. (eventually, or you can always use it in a new machine later if you choose)

 

[randomkid]

White_Noise, what is your current PSU brand? Is the 300W the true output power?
Anyway, use this to check if you really need a higher capacity PSU:

http://extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp

 

[jyjjy]

He already said the brand right in the first post. It isn't good and that calculator only matters if you have a PSU with specs that can be trusted.

 

[jaguarskx]

You got a Bestec 300w PSU.....?

I recommend the HD 5670 for that.