A Good Birthday Present

[agentile]

CPU: i5 460K (OC)
Mobo: Asus Z87-K
RAM: 8G
PSU: CX600

Hey guys,

My birthday is coming up this Sunday and I'm tempted to splash out on the MSI 970 Gaming. Would that be a good choice?

 

[Mattz982]

Yes, very good choice, you could also get the 390, as it is better for the same price, that is if you don't mind losing things like nvidia geforce experience, cool temps and low power consumption

 

[agentile]

I considered that but from what I've read I would need to upgrade my PSU, which is quite daunting.

 

[Mattz982]

you shouldnt need to with a 600W psu

 

[jerdle]

A cx 600w is just enough to safely run an r9 390.

And not really daunting to change PSUs. Just like plugging any powered part in except the direction of the power cables is reversed 😛

 

[naturesninja]

I don't recommend running a 390 on that PSU.

 

[Mattz982]

it would be fine

 

[naturesninja]

A Corsair CX model? I wouldn't do it, nor would I advise it to anyone.

 

[agentile]

Mixed bag... hmmm

 

[naturesninja]

CX has 30c Chinese capacitors, it's your money...

 

[agentile]

Would the MSI 970 be safe enough? Was my first choice, I usually always go with GTX.

 

[maxalge]

Would the MSI 970 be safe enough? Was my first choice, I usually always go with GTX.

while that power supply is low quality, a gtx 970 is very power efficient and will run on it


I would change the power supply as soon as I could though, it has terrible capacitors

 

[naturesninja]

I don't think the CX will have an issue powering either. It's more of a concern that it's going to take the GPU out with it when it goes along with other parts, and that risk is a little higher with the 390. Is it going to happen for certain? No, people have been using them successfully for years. Would I put one in a clients build? Absolutely not.

 

[Mattz982]

im running a cx with a 970, got it used and been going fine for over a year, had no problems

 

[naturesninja]

im running a cx with a 970, got it used and been going fine for over a year, had no problems

You've got balls, I'll give you that.

 

[jerdle]

The chinese capacitors on the CX models are the secondaries, not the primaries

 

[naturesninja]

Last I checked they were using samxon's.

 

[jerdle]

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Corsair/CX600M/4.html

 

[Mattz982]

well im watching a coolermaster silent pro gold 1200W PSU on ebay for £50, worth it?

 

[naturesninja]

The silent pro is a little better, and the wattage is more than sufficient, but I would recommend moving up to something more quality at the same price.

If you're in the UK here are some good options new-http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/xfx-power-supply-p1550sxxb9 or http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/super-flower-power-supply-sf550p14xehx or if you are going with the 390, one of these: http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/parts/compare/seasonic-power-supply-s12ii620bronze%2Cxfx-power-supply-p1650xxxb9/

 

[agentile]

Update: I've decided on the MSI 970 Gaming Edition. From the card efficiency to the driver support, for 1080p gaming I felt it was the better option. Take off the price of getting the new Tomb Raider for free, it's a great deal.

The card should arrive early tomorrow morning. I'm giddy!

On a side note I didn't realize that I could go with a "buy now pay in 9 months" option. Pay for the card in full next month without any interest. A nice alternative if you're short till pay day 😉

 

[naturesninja]

I feel that way every time a new GPU arrives. Good choice.

 

[agentile]

Loving the 970. It's such a huge leap forward from my 270X. Has far more power and is far quieter. I can barely hear it, even under load. For those on the fence, don't be. It's a great card and I'm very happy with my purchase. Just a few more days till I can play the new Tomb Raider for free!

I need to find some software to see my FPS but Witcher 3, DA:I and Fallout 4 etc play on 1080p (Ultra) effortlessly.