Power supply for 2 graphics cards

TheReckoning

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Oct 5, 2012
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i want to upgrade from 1 card to 2 and dont know what power supply will work and what motherboard will be compatible with my setup these are the specs please could you reccomend a power supply and a motherboard

Operating System
MS Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit SP1
CPU
AMD FX-6100
Zambezi 32nm Technology
RAM
8.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 669MHz (9-9-9-24)
Motherboar
ASUSTeK Computer INC. M5A78L-M/USB3 (AM3R2)
Graphics
HK241DPB (1920x1080@60Hz)
AMD Radeon HD 7700 Series
Hard Drives
932GB Seagate ST1000DM003-9YN162 ATA Device (SATA)
Optical Drives
TSSTcorp CDDVDW SH-222BB ATA Device
TSSTcorp CDDVDW SH-222BB ATA Device this was taken from a software from speccy
 
May I suggest you reconsider your graphics upgrade strategy.

A 77xx is fine card. But adding a second card has some issues, which you have already identified.

In addition, dual card operation with lower strength cards may have some issues, including microstuttering and scaling.
Read this: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-geforce-stutter-crossfire,2995.html

When you add in the cost of a different motherboard, and perhaps a stronger psu, it will probably be better and less expensive to just sell your 77xx card and replace it with a much stronger single card.

Exactly what psu do you have now?
 

luciferano

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Sep 24, 2012
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That review is irrelevant. This is a completely different micro-architecture. 77xx cards are actually good at Crossfire with minimal stutter and excellent scaling. I'm still recommending a 78xx card such as the 7850 and the 7870 because of the frame buffer advantage and they're slightly higher value, but still.
 

luciferano

Honorable
Sep 24, 2012
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I have no experience with Xigmatek PSUs and I'm not familiar with them, so I won't make claims about their quality. However, I will remind you that wattage doesn't matter much. The 12V amperage is what matters these days and it does not necessarily directly correlate to the total wattage rating. Can you give us the specs on its 12V amperage (or 12V wattage, some list it as 12V wattage)? That'd be on a sticker on a side of the PSU.
 


I suggest you sell the 7770. It seems to go for $80-$100 on e-bay in used condition.
Replace it with a 7850 which is a considerable jump in capability. That will cost you about $170 which isabout what a replacement psu and motherboard will cost.
A 7850 needs only a 450w psu, so your current psu should be fine.
If you want a 7970 or GTX670 class card, I think you might want to replace the psu.