• Welcome to TechPowerUp Forums, Guest! Please check out our forum guidelines for info related to our community.
  • The forums have been upgraded with support for dark mode. By default it will follow the setting on your system/browser. You may override it by scrolling to the end of the page and clicking the gears icon.

help with video card purchase

A

anomaly

New Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2013
Messages
16 (0.00/day)
hi guys,

im trying to buy a video card for a pc i built. im thinking of this video card:

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2042279&CatId=7387

ok, here are my pc specs:

mobo: Gigabyte GA-970A-D3 Socket AM3+ AMD 970+SB950 Chipset, Dual Channel DDR3 2000(O.C.) MHz, 2x PCI-Express x16, GLAN, 6x SATA 6.0Gb/s, 2x USB 3.0, 8x USB 2.0, ATX
http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=335&item_id=042705

processor: 3.1 ghz, 8 core
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005UBNKZG/?tag=tec06d-20

ram: 8gb (2 x 4gb) (will upgrade later)

case (with psu): 500 watt psu
http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=6_112&item_id=032151

harddrive: 120 gb ssd and 2 TB hdd

i admit my friend helped me build this comp and i dont know much about computers (which is why i provided the links).

would this video card work with my computer? im looking at the psu specifically since on bestbuy's website they have the requirement as 450 watt (as opposed to 600 watts on tigerdirect link i provided above). my intention is light gaming and hd movies. do u guys recommend a better video card if there is something wrong with this one?
 
You is Canada?

The video card is fine for "light" gaming and more then enough for HD video. It your PSU that has me concerned. It will probably work and is rated for 500w its the quality of the power that is the problem. Any generic PSU that comes with a case is not a good one.

So how does it run now? Any problems?

Go ahead and make a list of all your parts including the monitor. Or fill out the system specs in the UserCP
 
Shouldn't be an issue, but I wouldn't use the PSU which comes with the case as a long term solution.
Fine for a temporary back up though.
 
thank u both. yes im from canada. im not planning to use the psu for long term. i just wanted to buy the video card now and worry about the psu later. i wanted to know if its good for the short term

my friend had installed windows 8 on the pc with his video card and it was running fine. but he took the video card out (since it was his) and its the only part thats missing from this pc.

so in the future if i buy a better psu i should be able to use crossfire right? what do i need to know before buying a better psu?
 
I would go PSU first. GPU next. Never want to cheap out on the heart and soul of a system.
 
  • Like
Reactions: xvi
i wanted to buy the gpu first cus its on sale right now (for limited time only)
 
anomaly said:
so in the future if i buy a better psu i should be able to use crossfire right? what do i need to know before buying a better psu?
Click to expand...

Do research on what brands are considered reputable PSUs and what tier of PSU you wish to have within those brands.
Tier as is, non modular, semi modular and fully modular.

For crossfire or sli, people generally go for around 850w+ to be on the safe side.
A fair few people just get a 1000w PSU an be done with it.

As for PSU suggestions, Corsair, Seasonic and Enermax are a few reputable brands which come to mind.

The amount of amps on the +12v rail is a bit of a big deal as well.
The higher the better which usually goes up with the wattage of the PSU.
Bare in mind some PSUs have more than one rail and the amps are split off between them.

There has been a bit of debate as to whether multi-rail PSUs are any better or worse than a single rail PSU.
I'm pretty vague on the reasons.

Personally I would just go with a single rail PSU.
 
Sorry but thts a pretty poopy price for a 7770. You can get them for cheaper on newegg without being onsale.

HD7770
 
Widjaja said:
Do research on what brands are considered reputable PSUs and what tier of PSU you wish to have within those brands.
Tier as is, non modular, semi modular and fully modular.

For crossfire or sli, people generally go for around 850w+ to be on the safe side.
A fair few people just get a 1000w PSU an be done with it.

As for PSU suggestions, Corsair, Seasonic and Enermax are a few reputable brands which come to mind.

The amount of amps on the +12v rail is a bit of a big deal as well.
The higher the better which usually goes up with the wattage of the PSU.
Bare in mind some PSUs have more than one rail and the amps are split off between them.

There has been a bit of debate as to whether multi-rail PSUs are any better or worse than a single rail PSU.
I'm pretty vague on the reasons.

Personally I would just go with a single rail PSU.
Click to expand...

thank u very much! im going to look into that. im going to purchase the video card now
 
anomaly said:
i pricematched it at bestbuy for $135. whats the difference between the different makes for the 7770?
Click to expand...

Different parts and cooling on the specific vendor designs. Also different clocks.
 
anomaly said:
i pricematched it at bestbuy for $135. whats the difference between the different makes for the 7770?
Click to expand...

Primarily coolers and varying performance/temperatures between them.
Some cards may have slightly higher clocks than others.

Always take a look at tech hardware site reviews and reviews from buyers on newegg of the component you bought.
Can give a fair idea of what you maybe in for in the way of reliability and performance.

Sapphire are a good manufacturer of AMD graphics cards and have been in the game for a very long time so I don't see anything wrong with the purchase besides the price maybe being a little high for over there with whats already on offer but either way if you are willing to spend the money on it go for it.

I would have bought another Sapphire but ended up buying the ASUS instead due to not seeing the Sapphire ones for sale.
Luckily I did not at the time as there were still a few faulty Sapphire 7870s floating around.
 
Widjaja said:
Primarily coolers and varying performance/temperatures between them.
Some cards may have slightly higher clocks than others.

Always take a look at tech hardware site reviews and reviews from buyers on newegg of the component you bought.
Can give a fair idea of what you maybe in for in the way of reliability and performance.

Sapphire are a good manufacturer of AMD graphics cards and have been in the game for a very long time so I don't see anything wrong with the purchase besides the price maybe being a little high for over there with whats already on offer but either way if you are willing to spend the money on it go for it.

I would have bought another Sapphire but ended up buying the ASUS instead due to not seeing the Sapphire ones for sale.
Luckily I did not at the time as there were still a few faulty Sapphire 7870s floating around.
Click to expand...

Miore like look at hardware reviews from sites like this one, don't read newegg reviews and reviews from other retailers. Its 90% bullshit and user error and them being stupid.
 
Widjaja said:
Primarily coolers and varying performance/temperatures between them.
Some cards may have slightly higher clocks than others.

Always take a look at tech hardware site reviews and reviews from buyers on newegg of the component you bought.
Can give a fair idea of what you maybe in for in the way of reliability and performance.

Sapphire are a good manufacturer of AMD graphics cards and have been in the game for a very long time so I don't see anything wrong with the purchase besides the price maybe being a little high for over there with whats already on offer but either way if you are willing to spend the money on it go for it.

I would have bought another Sapphire but ended up buying the ASUS instead due to not seeing the Sapphire ones for sale.
Luckily I did not at the time as there were still a few faulty Sapphire 7870s floating around.
Click to expand...

the price on newegg is $140 while i paid $135. i see what u mean...the 7770 should be a little cheaper if i picked another make. i think it might be a different price here in canada compared to somewhere else? i would have to pay shipping from newegg which would bump the price up as well.
 
anomaly said:
the price on newegg is $140 while i paid $135. i see what u mean...the 7770 should be a little cheaper if i picked another make. i think it might be a different price here in canada compared to somewhere else? i would have to pay shipping from newegg which would bump the price up as well.
Click to expand...

Not unless you buy from Canada Newegg and get one that has free shipping.

EDIT: Which is neither of them lol.
 
Last edited:
What brand is the psu and is there any way you can get us a picture of the label on the side of it?
 
Widjaja said:
Do research on what brands are considered reputable PSUs and what tier of PSU you wish to have within those brands.
Tier as is, non modular, semi modular and fully modular.

For crossfire or sli, people generally go for around 850w+ to be on the safe side.
A fair few people just get a 1000w PSU an be done with it.
As for PSU suggestions, Corsair, Seasonic and Enermax are a few reputable brands which come to mind.

The amount of amps on the +12v rail is a bit of a big deal as well.
The higher the better which usually goes up with the wattage of the PSU.
Bare in mind some PSUs have more than one rail and the amps are split off between them.

There has been a bit of debate as to whether multi-rail PSUs are any better or worse than a single rail PSU.
I'm pretty vague on the reasons.

Personally I would just go with a single rail PSU.
Click to expand...

I would have to say this is not true. He does not need a 850 or 100 watt PSU. a solid 650 watt will be fine.
 
REMEMBER ABOUT TAXES TOO!
Taxes and shipping can make a dramatic difference in TOTAL PRICE!.
From my experience

newegg = tax and sometimes free shipping
amazon = no tax free shipping(amazon prime)
best buy = always taxed and almost always significantly higher priced
Microcenter = good price but always taxed

I don't know if this applies to Canada. I'm not the most pleased with my tiger direct experience. They will do you right most of the time but it's just not as good as newegg or amazon.
 
According to Sapphire, they rec a 500w PSU for one 7770 GHz OC, and 600w for CrossfireX.

Not sure why they are far more lenient than MSI and EVGA, whom conservatively advocate 1.5 times the power for one if running two GPUs, but maybe CrossfireX is a bit more efficient that way.
 
tokyoduong said:
REMEMBER ABOUT TAXES TOO!
Taxes and shipping can make a dramatic difference in TOTAL PRICE!.
From my experience

newegg = tax and sometimes free shipping
amazon = no tax free shipping(amazon prime)
best buy = always taxed and almost always significantly higher priced
Microcenter = good price but always taxed

I don't know if this applies to Canada. I'm not the most pleased with my tiger direct experience. They will do you right most of the time but it's just not as good as newegg or amazon.
Click to expand...
thank u for this info, it helps. the good thing about bestbuy is that they price match the lowest price and have free shipping if u buy something over $20. i pricematched it down to 108 (+tax).
 
Frag Maniac said:
According to Sapphire, they rec a 500w PSU for one 7770 GHz OC, and 600w for CrossfireX.

Not sure why they are far more lenient than MSI and EVGA, whom conservatively advocate 1.5 times the power for one if running two GPUs, but maybe CrossfireX is a bit more efficient that way.
Click to expand...

anomaly said:
the price on newegg is $140 while i paid $135. i see what u mean...the 7770 should be a little cheaper if i picked another make. i think it might be a different price here in canada compared to somewhere else? i would have to pay shipping from newegg which would bump the price up as well.
Click to expand...

if i crossfire the videocard, would it be good for heavy gaming (like crysis 3, skyrim, battlefield 3, etc)?
 
When buying a PSU DO NOT look at watts look at how many amps it put out.
 
tokyoduong said:
REMEMBER ABOUT TAXES TOO!
Taxes and shipping can make a dramatic difference in TOTAL PRICE!.
From my experience

newegg = tax and sometimes free shipping
amazon = no tax free shipping(amazon prime)
best buy = always taxed and almost always significantly higher priced
Microcenter = good price but always taxed

I don't know if this applies to Canada. I'm not the most pleased with my tiger direct experience. They will do you right most of the time but it's just not as good as newegg or amazon.
Click to expand...

It depends on where you live. I have tax for amazon, since its main HQ is in Washington where I live, but I don't have tax on newegg because there only locations are California and Tennessee I think is the other one. When you get taxed its state tax, so if that retailer is in your state you will get taxed if your ordering one from out of your state you won't get taxed and 75% of the time you will pay shipping.
 
hey guys,

i had another question. my vid card hasnt arrived yet but i was looking online and found out that there are certain cases that take only low profile graphic cards? how do i check if mine can take a vid card with a normal bracket?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top