Help upgrading my CPU/Video

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clutchc

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Yes, he explains it very well. Bottle neck is always a CPU problem. GPUs won't bottle neck a CPU because the GPU does the majority of graphic work in 3D gaming. In your case, I would expect the 3GHZ - 3.5GHZ Llano processor would present little or no bottle neck for the HD 7850. Even that would depend on whether the game was CPU or GPU intensive/limited.
 

Diamond-HP

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Well I'm pretty much a wrap now then, I did try one more CPU stress test by taking down the volt one notch to 1.472 at 3.5Ghz but it blue screened so I've found the only acceptable voltage shy of 1.500 for 3.5gz on my CPU at 1.4875, doesn't freeze screen and is just shy of my max temp on extended 100% stress load at 68c.

Thin line is an understatement but at least I got the 3.5Ghz I wanted.

Thanks again Clutchc, great thread as well for info here I've come back many times to review what we've discussed.

Sure I'll be back if I add any other upgrades or need any advice, see you then and thanks for helping me achieve my goals here.

P.S
System seems to be settling in, IntelBurner test only maxed my CPU to 66c this time at 3.5Ghz through a complete test and I got 100% GPU usage on MSI Afterburner so no bottle necking at all. :)
 

Diamond-HP

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Heaven Benchmark results.

FPS: 73.4
Score: 1848
Min FPS:17.6
Max FPS:150.9
System

Platform:Windows 7 (build 7601, Service Pack 1) 64bit
CPU model:AMD Athlon(tm) II X4 651 Quad-Core Processor (2994MHz) x4
GPU model:AMD Radeon HD 7800 Series 9.1.0.0 (1024MB) x1
Settings

Direct3D11
Mode: 1366x768 fullscreen
Quality High
Tessellation Disabled

That's stock GPU without any OC'ing, not sure what the average score is but I think 73 FPS is a decent score?

EDIT: With OC'ing

FPS:82.4
Score:2075
Min FPS:23.1
Max FPS:148.0
 

danb95

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Hate to bring this old topic back up but seeing as the case and insides the op was using is picture purfect to mine(even have the same 600w psu) I though I would try and ask what the dimensions of that GPU were as I want to make sure a 660 will fit in the exact same circumstances.Looks like a sapphire card but was it an oc version or anything like that?
 

Diamond-HP

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Well I am the OP so I can help. ;)

I installed a HD Radeon 7850 Sapphire which is the OC version.

I can double check but I'm positive it was 8.5 inches long and fits fine, in fact I think I can fit longer as there is no obstruction in my case just wires which can be cable managed.

I've got a few more recent pictures I'll put up for you.

I have to say though my card goes right up to the side panel, would it squeeze past? I'm not 100% sure but it could well do .......

WP_000015_zps12b378ef.jpg


But saying that as this picture shows of my latest upgrade (Different Mobo, RAM and new SSD) it is already overlapping the side panel so I'd say it could fit as much as 10 inches without issue.

WP_000043_zps2134811a.jpg

 

Diamond-HP

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Here are the official specifications, I have the 1 GB version but they are identical in size.

http://www.sapphiretech.com/presentation/product/?cid=1&gid=3&sgid=1160&lid=1&pid=1472&leg=0

210(L)x105(W)x35(H) mm Size.

As I stated the length is 210mm which is 8.2 - 8.3 inches long and 4.1 inches wide.

I believe it can fit longer but to double check I'd have to open the case.

The 660 is about an inch longer according to .....

http://www.geforce.co.uk/hardware/desktop-gpus/geforce-gtx-660/specifications

but more concerning is the height or width which is 4.376 inches that may mean it touches the side panel.

I'll open the case later tonight and measure for you to save the aggro.
 

clutchc

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Yes, those look like very good numbers. I have lots of Heaven and Valley benchmarks we could compare, but they are all at 1080p except for the ones we did when I still had my AthII X4 640 and GTX 650ti SSC 2BG. But you should have no game you can't max out now.
 

danb95

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Bit late on the reply from me(forgot password and everything) but I bought a 660 and it fits fine with some headroom.That for the pictures as that really helped me in making my choice.
Thanks again.