Thinking of getting the 5770

[vlad]

Hello, hope I'm posting in the right forum. So I'm thinking of getting a 5770 GPU and I'm not really computer savvy so I'd like to ask more knowledgeable people what else would I need to buy along with it to make it work on my system.
My current specs:
Motherboard: MSI MS-7346
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
GPU: Nvidia 8600 GTS 512MB
PSU: LPK2-30, 420W (It's like 8 years old, my PSU died so I am now using this one from a 10~ year old computer. I'm guessing I'll have to replace the PSU too if I want the 5770 to function properly, hopefully not though as I am on a very limited budget beyond the 5770)

I'm reading that GPUS these days need an extra power connector or something, I have no idea what that is, and don't know if I already have it ?

What I'm asking is with my current system what would I need to buy/change/upgrade to be able to use the 5770 GPU ? Like is the motherboard compatible and stuff.

[DragonFury]

as far as motherboards capatability it should work I running a 5870 on a p945 board with a q6600. an 10 year old PSU is pushing it as far as age.

[lordvic]

Frome the specs, your should be fine running a Radeon HD 5770. You should definitely thing about replacing the PSU, as the quality of that brand and age of it isn't good. A decent 400W-500W power supply isn't going to cost you a massive amount of cash; most go for $40-$60.

Oh, and about the extra power connector; Yes, most more powerful graphics cards will require 1or2 6-pin/8-pin PCI-E power connnector. Why? PCI-E X16 slots only provide 75W or power, and more powerful cards require more than 75W.
This is how a PCI-E connecotr looks like:
The plug on the card: http://portal.cdn.erodov.net/reviews/gu ... ctor-1.jpg
The connector from a power supply: http://techreport.com/r.x/psus-0907/pcie-connectors.jpg

The Radeon HD 5770 doesn't draw much power -compared to the power hungry 6970, 5970, GTX 580, etc...so it only requires one extra 6-pin PCI-E connector. Most power supplies that are 400W or higher will have at least one of these connectors.

I'll use NewEgg as a "guide" as they have a wide variety of selections. You can buy your power supply else where, if NewEgg isn't available in your area, etc.

Corsair CX 500W. $59.99
- 32A on a single +12v rail
- one PCI-E 6pin, and one PCI-E 6+2-pin (for those more powerful cards)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... -_-Product

Antec EarthWatts 500W. $59.99
- max total of 44A on the two +12v rails
- two PCI-E 6-pin conecctor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... -_-Product

OCZ Fatal1ty 550W. $69.99 ($49.99 affter rebate)
- one 6-pin, one 6+2-pin
- max total of 50A on two +12v rails
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... -_-Product

OCZ ModXStream 600W. $79.99 (64.99 after rebate) *Seems that their modXstream product line is more reliable*
- one 6-pin, one 6+2-pin
- max total of 50A on two +12v rails
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... -_-Product

These are just some that are around or under ~$60 and are pretty reliable PSUs.

It is common to find 5770s for under $100 (after reabte or sale). Add in a PSU for $50-$60 (maybe $70). Total is going to be around $150-$180 give or take.