Upgrade advice, from an ATI X1800Xl.

[necro007]

Hi guys, my old ATI X1800Xl decided to eventually give up.
I was on the look out for a replacement video card and ordered the MSI R9 390 today.

I need some advise on the below components.

>What power supply would be recommended, i do not plan on getting another card and running crossfire.
> I would like to overclock the Video card and the CPU.
> I want to increase the Ram on the PC to maybe 8GB total Max, as i am not sure how much longer i will keep this PC and build a new one.

My currents system specs:

Intel Core i3 -540
Gigabyte GA-H55M-UD2H
Gigabyte 500w
Antec 300
Samsung 23" LED
2 * 2GB Transcend DDR3 1333
250GB Samsung 850 Evo SSD
1TB Seagate
250GB Seagate
3 * 120 Case fans
1 * 140 case fan

To be installed:
> Thermaltake Ultima 90 , 2 * 120 case fans

Again, due to the issue that this is an old system and it is going to be hard to find spares for this PC. If the Motherboard or CPU gives up i'm going to need to build a new one.
So i'm trying not to spend any more money then is required.

Thanks.

 

[sandorski]

That Power Supply might work fine, but I don't know for sure. I think a 390 is kinda overkill for that processor. Overclocking the processor makes sense, but not the video card.

 

[Ketchup]

Agree with sandorski. You have enough power and connections for a stock system with this card. If you want to overclock anything, it should be the CPU, but I would check performance at stock speed before even bothering with that.

 

[radeson]

Totally agreeing with the above 2 comments.. The 390 is way ahead of the rest of the system and you wont get much if anything out of overclocking it. The CPU and the rest of the system is your bottleneck now. The power supply should be fine. I ran a R9 290 last year in a 6 year old HP with a Dual core and I had a 500 watt supply. I think the 390 is about the same power requirements.

Getting an 8 or 16 GB kit of ram is probably a good idea if you do want to drive it till it dies. That will help a ton if you are gaming as most games require 8 gigs now days.

 

[necro007]

Hi All thanks for the replies.
I live in South Africa and the rand to dollar rate is crazy, i paid R5697.99 > $395.61 US Dollar and that was on special with shipping.

Also its just not feasible to get a mid range which would we be perfect at 1080p now but need to upgrade later as if I sell the card i'd get practically nothing.
In the long run this made more sense, get a beast now.

Really, i didn't think my power supply was at all capable. Thats great news!

As far as Ram goes, my motherboard has 4 slots, max speed is 1866 and can go up to 16GB max.
I was thinking for getting either one of of the Ram modules below as it is the cheapest 4GB module i could find.

> Takealot > Transcend DDR3-1600 Desktop Dimm CL11 - 4GB - http://www.takealot.com/transcend-ddr3-1600-desktop-dimm-cl11-4gb/PLID32837333

> Evetech > Kingston HyperX Savage 4GB (1 x 4GB) 1866MHz DDR3 Memory - http://www.evetech.co.za/PC-Hardwar...-4gb-1866mhz-ddr3-memory-on-special-1075.aspx

I could get 2 * 4 GB sticks to make it 12GB total if i use the existing memory as well.
If all goes well and the new and old Ram sticks play nice, any other downsides besides the new ram working at the old speed?

 

[radeson]

Hi All thanks for the replies.
I live in South Africa and the rand to dollar rate is crazy, i paid R5697.99 > $395.61 US Dollar and that was on special with shipping.

Also its just not feasible to get a mid range which would we be perfect at 1080p now but need to upgrade later as if I sell the card i'd get practically nothing.
In the long run this made more sense, get a beast now.

Really, i didn't think my power supply was at all capable. Thats great news!

As far as Ram goes, my motherboard has 4 slots, max speed is 1866 and can go up to 16GB max.
I was thinking for getting either one of of the Ram modules below as it is the cheapest 4GB module i could find.

> Takealot > Transcend DDR3-1600 Desktop Dimm CL11 - 4GB - http://www.takealot.com/transcend-ddr3-1600-desktop-dimm-cl11-4gb/PLID32837333

> Evetech > Kingston HyperX Savage 4GB (1 x 4GB) 1866MHz DDR3 Memory - http://www.evetech.co.za/PC-Hardwar...-4gb-1866mhz-ddr3-memory-on-special-1075.aspx

I could get 2 * 4 GB sticks to make it 12GB total if i use the existing memory as well.
If all goes well and the new and old Ram sticks play nice, any other downsides besides the new ram working at the old speed?

Hey,

Was just reading that you plan on getting 1 stick of 4gb correct?

Assuming this is true and you already have 2x 2gb sticks of 1333 im not entirely sure they would all work together. If they do happen to work together it would only be at 1333 because of timing issues. Its recommended not to mix ram kits even if they are the same make and model. For example, If you had a 4gb 1866 gskill stick you bought. Then down the road you wanted to buy another kit, technically these kits are not guaranteed to work together, or at least at that speed. RAM is binned for a certain speed during production and what comes off of the line one day could be different the next. At least, when it comes down to tertiary timings, things get complicated. In most cases RAM kits will work together. Especially with lower speeds, but if i were you I would go with an 8 gb or 16 gb kit.

You can read more about it here:

https://rog.asus.com/forum/showthre...e-memory-kits!-The-meat-and-potatoes-overview

 

[Ketchup]

If money is tight, you can get one 4 GB stick of the same timing. You will lose dual channel, but that has never made a big difference in the last few generations of Intel CPUs running DDR3. The move from 4 GB to 8 GB should be noticeable. The move above 8 GB may not be noticeable at all, depending on what you use your computer for.

 

[necro007]

Hi guys, thanks for the advice, i'm looking at the ram below:

http://www.evetech.co.za/PC-Hardwar...-4gb-1866mhz-ddr3-memory-on-special-1075.aspx

Would i be correct in saying:
1. The Ram should work at the slower speed of DDR3 1333 due to the existing Ram i have.
2. To get that higher speed of 1866, i need to overclock my CPU?

 

[Yuriman]

Hi guys, thanks for the advice, i'm looking at the ram below:

http://www.evetech.co.za/PC-Hardwar...-4gb-1866mhz-ddr3-memory-on-special-1075.aspx

Would i be correct in saying:
1. The Ram should work at the slower speed of DDR3 1333 due to the existing Ram i have.
2. To get that higher speed of 1866, i need to overclock my CPU?

1. Yes. You're limited to setting your RAM speed to that of the slowest stick installed. When/if you eventually remove the DDR3 1333, you'll be able to run your new stick at 1866.

2. No (or, not really). The memory controller is built into the CPU, so running it at 1866mhz is technically running the memory controller faster than factory spec, but I doubt many here would call it overclocking. You almost certainly won't get any instability, won't need to increase voltage, just set the memory speed to what you want.

 

[DigDog]

from a WHAT?

you sir, are a hero. grab a 390 and watch the framerates soar when you play DOOM 2 and TES Morrowind.

 

[radeson]

Hi guys, thanks for the advice, i'm looking at the ram below:

http://www.evetech.co.za/PC-Hardwar...-4gb-1866mhz-ddr3-memory-on-special-1075.aspx

Would i be correct in saying:
1. The Ram should work at the slower speed of DDR3 1333 due to the existing Ram i have.
2. To get that higher speed of 1866, i need to overclock my CPU?

The Ram will PROBABLY work together. You WILL be limited to 1333Mhz overall UNTIL you remove the 1333 kit. Installing different kits is not recommended, but most seem to work together, specifically at DDR3 speeds.

So, no, you will not be able to get the 1866 speed while the 1333 DIMM's are installed, you will be limited to 1333.

Also the R9 390 is PCI 3.0 and the i3 540 supports PCI 2.0 so you will be limiting the card somewhat. I understand money might be tight, but the 390 is way overkill for a system w/ a 6 yr old Processor.

 

[necro007]

Hi guys,
Thanks for the advice. I do know I went over kill here but again, It made more sense to get this then get a mid-range card and upgrade later.

The card arrived today First impressions WOW! This looks like a beast.

3 things:
1. I placed an order for the 4Gb ram module today, should get it sometime this week.
2. I decided to double check my PSU and turns out i was wrong... its a Gigabyte 400w. (oO)
So that needs changing ASAP.
Would the below power supply be suitable for the video card?

> Seasonic 80 Plus Bronze Certified - 620 Watt Power Supply, M12II-620
http://www.takealot.com/seasonic-80-plus-bronze-certified-620-watt-power-supply/PLID27838891#reviews

Here is a link to the power supplies available, i would appreciate it if you could take a look and let me if there is something more suitable.
http://www.takealot.com/computers/power-supply-units-psu-10114?order=price&direction=asc&pagesize=50

Also, I plan to use the new power supply in my next build. So taking that into consideration, I’m wondering if I should go for a larger PSU?
The new system would probably be an Intel Skylake i7.

 

[sandorski]

Hi guys,
Thanks for the advice. I do know I went over kill here but again, It made more sense to get this then get a mid-range card and upgrade later.

The card arrived today First impressions WOW! This looks like a beast.

3 things:
1. I placed an order for the 4Gb ram module today, should get it sometime this week.
2. I decided to double check my PSU and turns out i was wrong... its a Gigabyte 400w. (oO)
So that needs changing ASAP.
Would the below power supply be suitable for the video card?

> Seasonic 80 Plus Bronze Certified - 620 Watt Power Supply, M12II-620
http://www.takealot.com/seasonic-80-plus-bronze-certified-620-watt-power-supply/PLID27838891#reviews

Here is a link to the power supplies available, i would appreciate it if you could take a look and let me if there is something more suitable.
http://www.takealot.com/computers/power-supply-units-psu-10114?order=price&direction=asc&pagesize=50

Also, I plan to use the new power supply in my next build. So taking that into consideration, I’m wondering if I should go for a larger PSU?
The new system would probably be an Intel Skylake i7.

Seasonic is a solid brand.

 

[radeson]

Hi guys,
Thanks for the advice. I do know I went over kill here but again, It made more sense to get this then get a mid-range card and upgrade later.

The card arrived today First impressions WOW! This looks like a beast.

3 things:
1. I placed an order for the 4Gb ram module today, should get it sometime this week.
2. I decided to double check my PSU and turns out i was wrong... its a Gigabyte 400w. (oO)
So that needs changing ASAP.
Would the below power supply be suitable for the video card?

> Seasonic 80 Plus Bronze Certified - 620 Watt Power Supply, M12II-620
http://www.takealot.com/seasonic-80-plus-bronze-certified-620-watt-power-supply/PLID27838891#reviews

Here is a link to the power supplies available, i would appreciate it if you could take a look and let me if there is something more suitable.
http://www.takealot.com/computers/power-supply-units-psu-10114?order=price&direction=asc&pagesize=50

Also, I plan to use the new power supply in my next build. So taking that into consideration, I’m wondering if I should go for a larger PSU?
The new system would probably be an Intel Skylake i7.

Looks like an all around good power supply. From what I've seen you don't want to go any lower than that. The minimum power requirements for some R9 390's are a 600w PSU. So if you want some headroom you might want to go to like 700-750. But that's just what I would do. A 620 should work fine though.

 

[necro007]

Hi guys,

Would this give me enough head room for a new build as well?

Seasonic 80 Plus Bronze Certified - 750 Watt Power Supply M12II-750
http://www.takealot.com/seasonic-80-plus-bronze-certified-750-watt-power-supply/PLID27838893

There is also this Corsair RM750 Series 750W ATX PSU 80 Plus Gold Certified
CP-9020055-EU
http://www.takealot.com/corsair-rm750-series-750w-atx-psu-80-plus-gold-certified/PLID38535093

Is the Seasonic still a better choice?

 

[sandorski]

Hi guys,

Would this give me enough head room for a new build as well?

Seasonic 80 Plus Bronze Certified - 750 Watt Power Supply M12II-750
http://www.takealot.com/seasonic-80-plus-bronze-certified-750-watt-power-supply/PLID27838893

There is also this Corsair RM750 Series 750W ATX PSU 80 Plus Gold Certified
CP-9020055-EU
http://www.takealot.com/corsair-rm750-series-750w-atx-psu-80-plus-gold-certified/PLID38535093

Is the Seasonic still a better choice?

The Gold certification of the Corsair would tempt me. Probably the better choice of the 2.

 

[necro007]

Hi Guys,

An update, i received the power supply and Ram.
Installed the power supply, wow it is nice, love the cables.
Tried to install the Video card in the Antec 300, a bit of a tight fit and then i found out.....

2 issues.
> The Ram locks on the motherboard hit the R9 390's back plate! (oO)
> The 4GB DDR3 1866 ram does not want to boot at all. Even tried just booting with only that Ram stick and the others removed. Goes past post then crashes as it displays the Windows 7 boot screen.

At this point... I gave it some thought and decided i need to look at getting a new CPU, motherboard and Ram.
LOL this actually turned into a new PC build anyway.

Guys how can i confirm i have a bad Ram?
I tried it in all slots, checked the XMP profile and tried 1 and 2 .... nothing seems to work . Does that mean the Ram is faulty?

Also, with regards the new build. Can i continue it here or do i need to create a new thread?

 

[sandorski]

Hi Guys,

An update, i received the power supply and Ram.
Installed the power supply, wow it is nice, love the cables.
Tried to install the Video card in the Antec 300, a bit of a tight fit and then i found out.....

2 issues.
> The Ram locks on the motherboard hit the R9 390's back plate! (oO)
> The 4GB DDR3 1866 ram does not want to boot at all. Even tried just booting with only that Ram stick and the others removed. Goes past post then crashes as it displays the Windows 7 boot screen.

At this point... I gave it some thought and decided i need to look at getting a new CPU, motherboard and Ram.
LOL this actually turned into a new PC build anyway.

Guys how can i confirm i have a bad Ram?
I tried it in all slots, checked the XMP profile and tried 1 and 2 .... nothing seems to work . Does that mean the Ram is faulty?

Also, with regards the new build. Can i continue it here or do i need to create a new thread?

Is your Motherboard BIOS up to date? Might want to try that first. There is a possibility that the density of the RAM chips or some other factor with them is problematic with your Motherboard.

 

[necro007]

Hi Sandorski,

The Bios is already updated. Any other suggestions...?

 

[Ketchup]

Use a very lenient memory value before putting the new RAM in. SPD would be good.

You may even want to perform a BIOS reset with the new memory modules installed.

 

[necro007]

Hi Ketchup,

I tried using CL 11 timings with only the new Ram module installed, didn't work.
Even tried resetting the motherboard by removing the cmos battery but the system keeps getting stuck at "Checking memory" then restarts and its like it didn't forget its settings.

Only way i can actually edit the Ram settings is to have it installed with 1 of the DDR3 1333 modules in single channel.

That allows me to go into the bios and change settings which still didn't work but that config got the PC to go right to the Windows boot sequence where it would display the logo but then crashes and goes back to post screen.

 

[Ketchup]

Hi Ketchup,

I tried using CL 11 timings with only the new Ram module installed, didn't work.
Even tried resetting the motherboard by removing the cmos battery but the system keeps getting stuck at "Checking memory" then restarts and its like it didn't forget its settings.

Only way i can actually edit the Ram settings is to have it installed with 1 of the DDR3 1333 modules in single channel.

That allows me to go into the bios and change settings which still didn't work but that config got the PC to go right to the Windows boot sequence where it would display the logo but then crashes and goes back to post screen.

It could be bad RAM, which is rare, or just a compatibility issue, which would also be rare. Either way, I would definitely contact the e-tailer and see if you can still swap them for something else.

 

[necro007]

Hi Ketchup, sent the supplier an email. Hopefully they get this sorted.
Thanks for the help.