7 replies to this topic

[Sterling]

Hi,

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[Silentverdict]

The 7850 looks like a good fit, especially since pre-built computers can often lack room for bigger cards. The performance of the card should be plenty to run everything at max. GW2 is CPU driven, especially now since they haven't optimized. Even when they do optimize though, It will still most likely be CPU intensive more than GPU intensive. Your CPU looks pretty good though, so I wouldn't worry too much.

One thing about "maxing out" though, often there are many times in games where there are a few settings that when maxed, take a HUGE performance hit out on your computer, and only give you a small benefit. Shadows are often the best example of this. One or two lower than max often looks pretty much identical, but gives you WAY more FPS. All I'm saying is be prepared to be flexible. Your game will look and run amazing with that setup, but it may take 5 minutes of tweaking settings, rather than hitting all the sliders max to the right and walking away.

And before I forget, you really don't need 700watts with that setup, a decent 500w would run it just fine, but if you want to be on the safe side, you can save a few bucks and get the 600w version of that coolermaster ( http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817171036 ).

[Sterling]

I went to COMPUSA mainly to ask about their installation fees ( $30 for both the power supply + graphics card upgrades to my ASUS Cm6730 ) and I had one of the tech guys look up my Computer and find out if a standard AXT Power Supply would fit in it, and he said yes. I then asked him if he thought a 600 watt cool master pro modular would work, and he suggested getting a 700 watt and then pointed me to a Corsair GS700. It was cheaper than the Cool Master Pro, and it was NOT modular, they both have decent warranties ( cool master has 5 year, corsair has 3 year ). Also, the Corsair is meant for a single GPU where as the Cooler Master Pro can work for sli, I have no intentions of going into sli, for a very long time at the very least, and so I went with the Corsair.

Just wanted to ask you guys what you think on the topic: Cooler Master Silent Pro vs Corsair Gaming Series for someone wanting a single GPU ( 7850 ) like myself. Also if someone could look up my Computer, the ASUS CM6730, and give me their opinion on whether or not the Radeon 7850 and the Corsair Gaming Series GPU can fit into that case?

Also off topic, both Bestbuy and Compusa did NOT have ANY Radeon GPUs from the 7000 series =/.

[Ancen]

I don't have enough information off of what you specified to look up the Silent Power Pro (there was an old one and a new version) exactly, but I gather it is/was a decent unit. However, per http://www.jonnyguru...read.php?t=7064 (one of the best PSU review sites and forums that exists), the Corsair you are looking at is a solid unit, and assuming you're paying roughly the same prices I would edge towards it unless you were able to find a major, proper review of the CoolerMaster unit (hardocp, jonnyguru, pcper, et al. which use proper load testing & temperature chambers, measurements, etc. instead of just popping it in and seeing if it works).

Regarding the physical space in your PC, http://i1197.photobu...30/GEDC3131.jpg appears to be an internal shot of it (a poster asked if it was the CM6730, and was told in reply by the OP of that foreign-language thread that it was). Assuming that is accurate, space is absolutely no concern as far as length goes for you (you'll be able to fit anything). With that in mind, just choose what fits your budget & best price/performance. No single card is going to be too much for the PSU you're upgrading to (either one of them).

One more note, on the PSU's... both of them have the same "sli capability". In other words, as they're similar designs (single 12v rail) and both have the exact same outputs (2x 6+2pin PCI-E power), that should be a non-factor for your choice.

Finally, if you do go for the 7850, spend the extra tad ($10-20) for a pre-oc'd model with a custom cooler... your ears will thank you, and (correct me if I'm wrong) you don't aren't experienced with oc'ing, so it will save you hassle as well since they come out of the box at decent OC's (http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814125419 for example, is a good pick).

EDIT: Quick addition, as Silentverdict said, even a quality 500w would be plenty for the setup you're doing, but if the price difference is minimal for you then it's always good to get a bit extra... I would go for a 600w unit in case you ever go for a high/top-end video card, but unless you plan on a high-end SLI or dual-gpu card setup, 700 is higher than you'll really need. You may be able to take the savings on the PSU if you go for a lower wattage unit and put that money towards a step up on your video card... win-win all around there. Or you could grab a nice SSD (some have been on sale at around $50-60 for a 64gb lately) to minimize load hitching, improve load times, and just make your PC more enjoyable to use in general with the savings. I was unable to play the beta weekend or stress test, personally, so I can't comment which GW2 is more dependent on as far as CPU or GPU, however MMO's do tend to be more CPU-leaning once released. With the relatively early state of GW2's optimization from what I've read, it could easily change however for this specific game.

[Silentverdict]

Yeah I have to echo ancen that the coolermaster is probably the better choice. Modular is more important than you think, getting rid of cables that you don't need works WONDERS for airflow, and really helps keep the case clean. You don't really need more than 600watts, since you're picking a very efficient video card.

On installation, honestly graphics cards and PSUs aren't that hard to install. Graphics cards are ridiculously easy, basically you remove the side, take off the back plate guard for the outputs, and put it in the slot. It doesn't get much easier. As for the PSU, since you already have one in the PC, all you have to do is just look at all the cords it's currently using, and just replicate them with the new PSU, that and 4 screws and you're in business. Armed with an online video or two, you can easily save yourself $30.

Finally, are you wary of ordering online? There are many online retailers that are very respected and have the best pricing on most of the components. We list Newegg.com here often since it's the biggest and best known, but tigerdirect.com (who's parent company owns compusa now) and even amazon do a great job with components. I'd highly recommend ordering what you want online. Their return policies are fantastic, and I've always been satisfied with what they've had. If you're set on buying in store though, either the 560ti or 560ti 448 core would be viable alternatives, though in that case you might have to bump up to the 700watt, they're more power hungry than the 7850.

[Ancen]

I was leaning towards saying the Corsair would be the better idea, but your point on modularized cables is a good one for his chasis with how small & relatively low-flow it looks. Having the excess cables not being in there at all would definitely help... so I'd say to go for the CoolerMaster.

[Sterling]

I sincerely apologize for "necromancing" this thread, but I desperately wanted to reply to you guys, even though it's been months. I went ahead and stuck with the Corsair GS 700, got the Sapphire 7850 Overclocked Edition (yes by the way I know how to overclock, I use MSI Afterburner and OC it to 1000/1350 as one of my profiles), and also got a whole new case and cooling system entirely. That micro ATX just wasn't going to cut it because my CPU was getting into the 60-70 Celsius area. I went ahead and stuck with the Cooler Master Storm Enforcer case, bought an extra fan for it and got the H60 Liquid Cooler for my CPU. Now the CPU doesn't even get passed 45 celsius at most cases, only a few times have I seen it reach 49. My GPU never gets above 61 Celsius, which is weird because it's at 61 Celsius (I use Open Hardware Monitor to test this by the way) at all loads between 75-100%.

Also wanted to say that I basically built the whole computer myself, I had a laptop so I watched a couple of videos on it while I worked on it.

Thanks again for your help, I resorted to MANY other forums so just trying to get back to all of them and thank each and every one of them.

[Silentverdict]

Hey man glad it worked out! Getting that first good boot from a computer you built yourself is an amazing feeling isnt it?