Uprading to 'hd 3870 x2' (from hd 3870)... psu question?

This is my system:

-Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz @3.0GHz
-Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L, iP35 Express
-8GB (4x2GB) Corsair TwinX XMS2, DDR2 PC2-6400 (800)
-320 GB Western Digital WD3200AAKS, SATA 300, 7200 rpm
-LG GH-20NS15 20xDVD±R, 12xDVD±DL, DVD+RW x8/-RW x6, DVD-RAM x12
-ATI HD 3870
& fans etc..

I am currently using a corsair 450w psu. My motherboard doesn't support crossfire so i have considered upgrading to a 'hd3870 x2' and then plan to sell the existing hd3870. Am i pushing it with this psu or will it be ok with this setup.

Also, is this a worthwhile upgrade or will it be better to upgrade the mobo at the same time and run 2 hd3870's in crossfire?

 

If you`re thinking of changing to a HD3870 x2, it`s important to have a good air flow and a good PSU. It also depends on the heatsinks and such. I would recommend upgrading to a 600Watts PSU, because it`ll be more worth it in the long run anyways, and you`ll feel better knowing your CPU and mobo won`t burn and last longer.

 

will it be better/cheaper to run in crossfire then?

 

Newbie question, but the 4870x2's don't need a crossfire-enabled board correct? My 550W PSU probably couldn't handle it anyways, but I still like to dream.

 

Yes that right mate (I think).

 

will i notice any difference in upgrading to the '3870 x2'?
...crysis fps etc?

 

the 3870x2 is not a very good card anymore. you will get better performance by going with a good single card like the 4870. you might be able to run that on your current psu;. i was able to run a quad core and an 88000gt on my 450watt but the 4870 uses more power so it might not work.

@Shamb1es you do not need a crossfire board to run the 4870x2. it does have a built in crossfire connector. for a power supply you would need at least a 650 but higher would be recommended.

 

will the 512mb version of the 4870 be a worthwhile upgrade or will i have to go for the 1gb to notice any difference. I'm happy with my 3870 but i would like to increase my fps in games like crysis without sacrificing the high graphics settings.

 

the 512mb version will be fine unless you are playing at high resolutions above 1920x1200.

 

oh right, do you know if the 4850 is worth getting (as its cheaper) or is the 4870 really the one i should be aiming for?

 

yes. the 4850 is also a very good card. here are some benchmarks to look at. in most of the tests a single 3870x2 is beaten by the 4870 and around the same performance as the 4850.

http://techreport.com/articles.x/15293/5

 

I've just ordered a HIS HD4870 512mb, so i'll see how it goes.

 

Actually I'm glad I limited myself with my PSU/Mobo so I don't keep throwing cash at components. By the time I'm ready to replace my GPU and PSU, the extra cost will be worth the progress that GPU's will have made by that point in time. (I'm guessing 2 years or so)

 

You would never want a 3870X2 anyway, the 4870X2 is the card to have. It's three times as fast as the 3870X2, and I'm not joking either.
However, unless you use a 30" monitor, an HD4850 will do you fine, and will work fine on your Corsair 450W PSU.

 

I have got the HD4870 in and running fine. I have read threads with the argument wether the corsair vx 450w psu is enough to power it. My system seems to be running completely stable with it. Am I safe to continue with this PSU or would it be wise to upgrade to something more powerfull? e.g. corsair vx 650w

 

The VX 450 is fine. I only use an HX 520 and I run the 4870X2.

 

ok thats good to know, I won't need to get another psu untill my next upgrade then.

cheers sam

 

That is very good to know. I'm currently running a 4870 on a HX 550, but was under the assumption that if I ever wanted to go 4870x2 I'd have to get a new PSU. This makes it a lot more likely in the future.

 

The VX units have less strict fan control on them though, so if you do run an X2 on that PSU it will get pretty noisy.

 

Looking at reviews it seems the X2's run really hot because the fan control is lousy. Did you have to alter the fan settings on your unit to get temperatures under control?