will my corsair400w power a HD5870 ?

Capiech

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Hi guys,

I've been buying parts for a new computer over the last couple of months, and left the graphics card till last (I wanted a working computer but didn't have the money for the whole lot) and now my computers up and running, albeit with an old graphics card, and i've run into around £90 it's time to look at graphics cards.

The main purpose would be to play games such as MW2 or Just Cause 2 at 1980x1080 at 'hopefully' moderate - max settings. I am looking for the best graphics card under £100 and saw a 'XFX ATI Radeon HD 4870 512MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card' for £90 and wondered if my computer could support it (mainly if the PSU could handle it).

My current AM3 setup is:

Enermax Pandora case,
MSI 770-C45 mainboard
AMD athlon x2 250 3ghz (with stock heatsink/fan)
Corsair cx400w psu (30A on a single 12v rail)
2x2GB G.Skill Ripjaw DDR3 1,600 Mhz (4GB total)
Nvidia Geforce 8600GT (this is what I want to replace)
Windows 7 - 64bit

The cards I was looking at originaly were GT 240s and HD 4670s and HD 5850s but closer to £100 I can get either a GT 250 or a HD 5870. The HD 5870 aparently requires a minumum of 450w with 2 6pin PCIe plugs.

My question is could my system support such a card (will my Corsair 400w be able to run it). I would have to use a 4pin molex to 6pin PCIe adapter I think because I have only 1 on my PSU. Would it be a case of my system would run it but barely or would it keep freezing or going black?

Any input would be aprecciated, especially if anyone has a similer setup themselves. I would like to think the minumum 450w value on XFXs website is exagerated for the purpose of covering rubbish/unbranded PSUs and that my Corsair one should be able to do the job.

If not, would you suggest something a little less powerfull like the GT250 or HD 5850 perhaps? Also if I had to use the 4pin molex to 6pin PCIe adapter, would I have to use 2 instead of 1 and 1 actual PCIe lead fromt he PSU to make the power more even between the 2 plugs (sorry if that question is nooby, im not overly sure on this topic)

Thanks again and I look forward to hearing from you :)
 
A HD 57xx card should be okay. As far as the ones you listed, I say no. You are pushing it way too far.

Btw, a 5770 will run the games you listed at or near max. No need for any more power. :)
 
Thanks for the info, unfortunately the 57xx cards are all above £100, the 5770 being around £130 (sad face). Would the HD 5850, which only requires 1 6pin, be supported as well by the PSU and if so, is it a suitable replacement.

The only other alternative would be to go with GTS 250 or the 56xx series I think. Any input would be appreciated, cheers.
 
Thanks for the info, unfortunately the 57xx cards are all above £100, the 5770 being around £130 (sad face). Would the HD 5850, which only requires 1 6pin, be supported as well by the PSU and if so, is it a suitable replacement.

The only other alternative would be to go with GTS 250 or the 56xx series I think. Any input would be appreciated, cheers.

The 5770 is a cheaper card than the 5850, which is cheaper than the 5870. You have your numbers all screwy o_O


The GTS250 is a long shot from the 5850 and 5870, I would recommend just getting a 5770 and then another one later on if you need more power and have a better PSU. Two 5770's will outrun a 5850 in most cases anyhow.
 
Oh Lol I just realised: Iv'e been writing the wrong cards. When I said 5870 or 5850 I meant 4870 and 4850

oops that might clear up a few things...
 
Look around on eBay and you'll find HD4890's for very near to £100 and for that your getting a card that will soak a HD5770 all day every day. In fact it can get cloudy around the HD5850 too.

The downside, to a few, will be the lack of DX11 on the HD4870/HD4890's but I think 'meh' when your engrossed in your favourite game at a smooth high FPS.
 
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