Radeon HD 7770 GPU usage is low

[Evan10800]

I recently bought a new Sapphire Radeon HD 7770 GHz OC edition, but i'm having some trouble. I'm playing farcry 3 on a 1440x900 resolution and on low getting between 20-30 fps. I looked at MSI afterburner and it tells me that i'm only using between 40-50% GPU usage? How can i fix this? It's kinda dissapointing seeing as though i just bought this graphics card.

 

[Evan10800]

So, would this board be able to go into my case?
Look at this. I used the yellow line. Wouldn't those holes match up?

 

[Evan10800]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813135306
This board looks like it fits perfectly, just a little more expensive....

 

[nukemaster]

All the boards seem just that little bit different. It is a pain, but maybe removing your current board to see what you have under it. If you can move the stand offs either board will do just fine.

Here are some images to try to compare the old and Asrock board.

This is by no way perfect scaling, but should give you an idea.

See the screw hold on the new board seems to lineup with the chipset on the old board. If you have a place for a standoff in that location, you should be able to use it still.

 

[Evan10800]

What about this ASRock board? It's a little more expensive, but the screwholes seem to line up almost perfectly with my current one.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157326

 

[nukemaster]

While that board is not as long as your current board, it looks to have lined up screws.

The front side of the board will have no screws so you will want to be careful when connecting plugs in that section.

I know it is a pain, but if you did remove your current board you could see if that 1 offending standoff could be moved or not if you have movable standoffs, you can put almost any mATX board in.

I mean this is an EXACT match but WAY WAY WAY over budget. That is what I am using, but my case would take any of the other boards.
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131806

 

[Evan10800]

While that board is not as long as your current board, it looks to have lined up screws.

The front side of the board will have no screws so you will want to be careful when connecting plugs in that section.

I know it is a pain, but if you did remove your current board you could see if that 1 offending standoff could be moved or not if you have movable standoffs, you can put almost any mATX board in.

I mean this is an EXACT match but WAY WAY WAY over budget. That is what I am using, but my case would take any of the other boards.
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131806

What do you mean the front side of it will have no screws?

 

[Evan10800]

This is the mobo from my old computer, and it looks like its identical to my current one.

And this is the case from it. So if these mobos are the exact same size, this is probably what my case would look like i think.

 

[nukemaster]

Well those are built in standoffs and you have no locations to add new ones.

Back in the day, they made plastic inserts for boards that would be flat on the bottom so you could place it in the old that has no standoff and at least somewhat support the board.

You would want to place something to hold the board in the location with no screw hold(little rubber bumpers from the hardware store may work.).

The old plastic standoff/insert

The part about NO screws at the end is because the board is not long enough to reach the far standoffs on the right side

If you look here you will see how some cases have holes for extra standoffs and so you can move them to fit different boards. This has some built in in places that almost all boards use and holes to add the ones needed to make sure it works with more boards.
http://www.ronstultz.com/knowledge/Documents/How%20to%20-%20Assemble%20a%20Desktop%20PC%20from%20Components.htm

 

[Evan10800]

Oh ok, i see what you mean by it not being able to reach the far right standoff. Other than that, would this ASRock board be able to fit into my case then?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157326
All i would have to do is find some kind of rubber thing that i could stick under it to give it some support in the areas that it doesn't reach?

 

[Evan10800]

It will be like this. Not able to reach to the far right standoffs (outlined with red).

Again my old mobo. Just put it back in its case. I pushed on the "free floating" side, and it actually doesn't bend much. It feels like it has support from all the other screws.

 

[nukemaster]

that us exactly what it should be like.

The new egg image looks like one screw hold is not on the board you link, but other sites show it to be a hole for the screw.

Other then that strangeness on the Newegg image. It looks to be a perfect fit.

 

[Evan10800]

that us exactly what it should be like.

The new egg image looks like one screw hold is not on the board you link, but other sites show it to be a hole for the screw.

Other then that strangeness on the Newegg image. It looks to be a perfect fit.

So in other words, i'm good to go right? =D

 

[nukemaster]

It looks to fit as far as I can see.

 

[Evan10800]

It looks to fit as far as I can see.

One more question. I think my RAM is 1066. Will this be ok with the mobo and i3-3220?

 

[nukemaster]

I have not used that chip, Intel specs for 1333/1600, but most boards I have used let you go lower.

The board it self lists 1066. Just ensure the memory does not have a voltage too high(1.6 is the most that many users will use on these chips).

 

[Evan10800]

I have not used that chip, Intel specs for 1333/1600, but most boards I have used let you go lower.

The board it self lists 1066. Just ensure the memory does not have a voltage too high(1.6 is the most that many users will use on these chips).

So will i be good with my RAM then? How can i check what the voltage is?

 

[nukemaster]

The sticker on the memory should tell you, also cpu-z's memory tab may also list it. At the least it will list the model number that can me used to find out.

 

[Evan10800]

I see the voltage is 1.5 if i'm correct. But where does it tell me if its 1066?

 

[bigtalon]

If I was you, I would go with this:

i-3 3220 for $120 - http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=i3+3220&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Ai3+3220

Then get this Mobo for $75 - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004Q7JRJI/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i01

The Mobo maxes out at 32gb of ram, Can hold upto the newest i7, You can't Crossfire with that mobo, But it is a great option if you don't have alot to spend, and its a smaller board so it will have better chance of fitting into your case.

Also the mobo is an Intel Mobo, Which I prefer, I run with the Corsair Vengeance Ram as well, which is designed to run with the i3 - i5 - i7


The Asrock Mobo maxes out at 16gb of ram btw, So you would end up having to upgrade that before you would need to upgrade the Intel Mobo, Buy the best future proof items you can, with the best potential for upgrades.

 

[nukemaster]

its 1333(technically 1370) rated

Memory shows half speed like that.

 

[Evan10800]

its 1333(technically 1370) rated

Memory shows half speed like that.

Oh, it's 1333? Well thats a pleasant surprise! How did you find it out??

 

[nukemaster]

Your screen shows the SPD is programmed for 685(DDR so 685 X 2 = 1370). 1600 stuff shows 800.

A quick lookup of the model number also shows it to be good for 1333.

 

[Evan10800]

Your screen shows the SPD is programmed for 685(DDR so 685 X 2 = 1370). 1600 stuff shows 800.

A quick lookup of the model number also shows it to be good for 1333.

Sweet. So i should be good. Just ordered the mobo. Now i need to save up for the CPU. Thanks for all the help. =)

 

[nukemaster]

any time

 

[Evan10800]

Best answer selected by evan10800.