Replacing graphics card need to know about the power.

[east711]

Hey guys I'm looking forward to upgrade my current graphics card (GT210) wiht a better more powerful GIGABYTE AMD Radeon HD 6670 2GB. I know some cards require to have a cable running form the power supply to the graphics card. I was wondering if this card does that. If anyone owns this card and knows if you need the attachment to the card, please answer.

Thanks

 

[bob1033]

From PCmag review:
One bright side to all this is power usage: The 6670 has a TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 66 watts and uses only 12 watts when idle. This was confirmed by our electrical measurements with an Extech data logger, which showed that our test bed with a 6670 installed used only 115 watts when idle and 168 watts under load. This means you also don't need to plug in an extra cable from your PSU; the juice the 6670 draws from the PCI Express (PCIe) x16 port into which you plug it is sufficient. Unfortunately, the card still uses a fan–heat sink module big enough to block a second slot, so you'll need to be accommodating in that way.

Nope, this guy draws all the power from the PCI port, no other cables needed

 

[jessterman21]

If you're dead-set on getting that card, make sure it's the 1GB GDDR5 version - GDDR3 is much slower, and 2GB is useless for a low-end card.

I'd suggest the HD 7750, since it actually draws less power (no power cable needed), and is 50% better than the HD 6670. And it's usually only $10 more. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150663

 

[smeezekitty]

I was surprised but I have actually went over the 1GB mark on my 6670. Not my much though.

But it is correct, it does not need a power cable. If you can afford it, buy the 7750 instead but even the 6670 will be much better then the GT210.

 

[east711]

If you're dead-set on getting that card, make sure it's the 1GB GDDR5 version - GDDR3 is much slower, and 2GB is useless for a low-end card.

I'd suggest the HD 7750, since it actually draws less power (no power cable needed), and is 50% better than the HD 6670. And it's usually only $10 more. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150663

See, I would like to get that card instead but I only have 3GB of RAM the card needs a minimum of 4GB. All I am looking for is to upgrade my card and power supply. I will probably upgrade my RAM later though. Thanks

 

[smeezekitty]

Saying the card "requires" 4GB RAM is non-sense. There is no technical basis for that.

 

[east711]

From PCmag review:
One bright side to all this is power usage: The 6670 has a TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 66 watts and uses only 12 watts when idle. This was confirmed by our electrical measurements with an Extech data logger, which showed that our test bed with a 6670 installed used only 115 watts when idle and 168 watts under load. This means you also don't need to plug in an extra cable from your PSU; the juice the 6670 draws from the PCI Express (PCIe) x16 port into which you plug it is sufficient. Unfortunately, the card still uses a fan–heat sink module big enough to block a second slot, so you'll need to be accommodating in that way.

Nope, this guy draws all the power from the PCI port, no other cables needed

Thanks

 

[east711]

If you're dead-set on getting that card, make sure it's the 1GB GDDR5 version - GDDR3 is much slower, and 2GB is useless for a low-end card.

I'd suggest the HD 7750, since it actually draws less power (no power cable needed), and is 50% better than the HD 6670. And it's usually only $10 more. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150663

One more question. What's the difference between a 1GB GDDR5 and 2GB GDDR3? Why is it slower?

 

[east711]

@smeezekitty http://www.amd.com/us/products/desktop/graphics/7000/7750/Pages/radeon-7750.aspx#3

In the system requirements it said Minimum of 4GB. I think that is RAM, not sure.

 

[smeezekitty]

It does. But it also says you need a 400w PSU and a decent 300w model will run it.

They overestimate their requirements to make sure it works.

Do you have a 64 bit or 32 bit OS?

 

[bob1033]

If you're dead-set on getting that card, make sure it's the 1GB GDDR5 version - GDDR3 is much slower, and 2GB is useless for a low-end card.

I'd suggest the HD 7750, since it actually draws less power (no power cable needed), and is 50% better than the HD 6670. And it's usually only $10 more. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150663

One more question. What's the difference between a 1GB GDDR5 and 2GB GDDR3? Why is it slower?

GDDR5 has double the transfer rate of DDR3, a very big difference. A 256-bit card with DDR3 and a 126-bit card with GDDR5 would have that same transfer speed

 

[east711]

@smeezekitty I have a 64-Bit

 

[smeezekitty]

In that case I would suggest upgrading your RAM because in 64 bit OSes, more ram is required to run well.

It will no doubt work with 3 GB but you should get that up. Preferably 8GB.

 

[east711]

@bob1033 So, that means faster/better graphics? I found the same card one with a 1GB GDDR3 and another with 1GB GDDR5. The GDDR5 cost a little bit more.

 

[east711]

@bob1033 Also it seems the AMD Radeon HD 6670 1GB GDDR5 has only DVI/HDMI and no VGA. However the AMD Radeon HD 6670 1GB GDDR3 has VGA/DVI/HDMI

 

[east711]

@smeezekitty Yes I am also planning to do that. It seems I am converting my normal computer to a gaming computer cx. Also my comp clocks it at 3.1ghz is it possible to overclock? Thanks

 

[jaguarskx]

The Radeon HD 6670 w/ DDR3 RAM only has 74% of the performance of a Radeon HD 6670 w/ DDR5 RAM. That basically means a Radeon HD 6670 DDR3's performance is halfway between the Radeon HD 5570 & Radeon HD 5670.

The following review has game benchmarks for the Radeon HD 6670 DDR5, HD 5570 and HD 5670. The while the review is too old to have the Radeon HD 7750 DDR5's performance, it does have benchmarks for the Radeon HD 5770. The Radeon HD 7750 is definitely newer than the HD 5770, but the performance is virtually the same while consuming much less power.

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AMD/HD_6670/1.html

This is an overall performance summary. As stated, the Radeon HD 6670 DDR3's performance is between the HD 5570 and HD 5670.

Here's an example of one of the benchmarked games.

 

[bob1033]

@bob1033 So, that means faster/better graphics? I found the same card one with a 1GB GDDR3 and another with 1GB GDDR5. The GDDR5 cost a little bit more.

Exactly, the transfer times with GDDR5 are faster, so the card will respond faster. Its worth getting the one with GDDR5.

@bob1033 Also it seems the AMD Radeon HD 6670 1GB GDDR5 has only DVI/HDMI and no VGA. However the AMD Radeon HD 6670 1GB GDDR3 has VGA/DVI/HDMI

Usually, manufacturers ship the card with a DVI to VGA adapter. Every single card i've order came with this, and its worked every single time. Plus, if it doesnt come with it, the adapter usually like $10.

 

[jessterman21]

@smeezekitty http://www.amd.com/us/products/desktop/graphics/7000/7750/Pages/radeon-7750.aspx#3

In the system requirements it said Minimum of 4GB. I think that is RAM, not sure.

Wow, it really does say that - I don't see how that would make a bit of difference... Get another stick of RAM along with the HD 7750 and you can keep whatever PSU you currently have. Only upgrade the PSU when it doesn't have the connectors you need for a more powerful card.

 

[east711]

@bob1033 So, that means faster/better graphics? I found the same card one with a 1GB GDDR3 and another with 1GB GDDR5. The GDDR5 cost a little bit more.

Exactly, the transfer times with GDDR5 are faster, so the card will respond faster. Its worth getting the one with GDDR5.

@bob1033 Also it seems the AMD Radeon HD 6670 1GB GDDR5 has only DVI/HDMI and no VGA. However the AMD Radeon HD 6670 1GB GDDR3 has VGA/DVI/HDMI

Usually, manufacturers ship the card with a DVI to VGA adapter. Every single card i've order came with this, and its worked every single time. Plus, if it doesnt come with it, the adapter usually like $10.

Thanks I have a DVI on my screen: http://s1171.photobucket.com/user/east711/media/dvi_d_socket_zps738edc79.jpg.html
And this is what the graphics card has: http://s1171.photobucket.com/user/east711/media/XFX-667WF43_LG_zps6fa5d73a.jpg.html
But I have some sort of adapter on my screen: http://s1171.photobucket.com/user/east711/media/IMAG0718_zpsefeb0fb1.jpg.html
http://s1171.photobucket.com/user/east711/media/IMAG0714_zpsfb906900.jpg.html

And I'm not sure what cable to get since I have 3 options/ports on the card. Which cable it better? Does it matter the cable/port I'm using?

 

[east711]

@smeezekitty http://www.amd.com/us/products/desktop/graphics/7000/7750/Pages/radeon-7750.aspx#3

In the system requirements it said Minimum of 4GB. I think that is RAM, not sure.

Wow, it really does say that - I don't see how that would make a bit of difference... Get another stick of RAM along with the HD 7750 and you can keep whatever PSU you currently have. Only upgrade the PSU when it doesn't have the connectors you need for a more powerful card.

Thanks. I'm planning to get at least 3 more GB of RAM later on.

 

[bob1033]

Thanks I have a DVI on my screen: http://s1171.photobucket.com/user/east711/media/dvi_d_s...
And this is what the graphics card has: http://s1171.photobucket.com/user/east711/media/XFX-667...
But I have some sort of adapter on my screen: http://s1171.photobucket.com/user/east711/media/IMAG071...
http://s1171.photobucket.com/user/east711/media/IMAG071...

And I'm not sure what cable to get since I have 3 options/ports on the card. Which cable it better? Does it matter the cable/port I'm using?

That adapter is a HDMI adapter (High-Definition Multimedia Interface). And the other one is DVI-A (the analog version). Between the 2 the HDMI is newer, supports better interfaces, and also carries audio, making it the better choice of the 2. I would recommend you use HDMI, plus its easier to plug in and can't get bent pins.

 

[east711]

Thanks I have a DVI on my screen: http://s1171.photobucket.com/user/east711/media/dvi_d_s...
And this is what the graphics card has: http://s1171.photobucket.com/user/east711/media/XFX-667...
But I have some sort of adapter on my screen: http://s1171.photobucket.com/user/east711/media/IMAG071...
http://s1171.photobucket.com/user/east711/media/IMAG071...

And I'm not sure what cable to get since I have 3 options/ports on the card. Which cable it better? Does it matter the cable/port I'm using?

That adapter is a HDMI adapter (High-Definition Multimedia Interface). And the other one is DVI-A (the analog version). Between the 2 the HDMI is newer, supports better interfaces, and also carries audio, making it the better choice of the 2. I would recommend you use HDMI, plus its easier to plug in and can't get bent pins.

So I would get the HDMI to HDMI cable? If the card doesn't come with the cable I guess I'll have to buy one. If I do have to buy one can you post a link with a good one I could buy? Thanks a lot by the way I've been trying to upgrade my comp for months and found this website, a lot of pros like you.

 

[bob1033]

So I would get the HDMI to HDMI cable? If the card doesn't come with the cable I guess I'll have to buy one. If I do have to buy one can you post a link with a good one I could buy? Thanks a lot by the way I've been trying to upgrade my comp for months and found this website, a lot of pros like you.

Most of the time, cards won't come with the hdmi to hdmi cable, so you'll have to buy one. Really, all hdmi cables perform about the same, you can go to best buy and buy the first one you see and be good, but I'll provide a link to a cable if you want to buy with your card.