Upgrading HTPC graphics for gaming.

T

toolcrib

New Member
I am considering upgrading my HTPC to handle gaming. I am looking to play racing games such as iRacing, R-Factor, and Live for Speed. I have been playing GT5, but my roommate is leaving and taking his PS3. I have a Logitech G27 wheel, and do not want it to go to waist.

The current specifications for the computer are in my signature as the HTPC/Practice Build. The limitations I face with this is the low profile case which uses a TFX form factor power supply. I am currently considering buying a HD7750 graphics card and a SeaSonic 350W TFX power supply. I have gotten away with using the 300W In-Win power supply that came with the case for over two years, but do not feel comfortable adding load to it. Most negative reviews of this case on Newegg deal with the PSU.

Proposed GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161418

Proposed PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151115

The HTPC is connected to a TV that supports 1920x1080 resolution natively, so I am hoping the card can handle this resolution with decent frame rates. I am not sure how demanding the graphics for these games are. I am open to suggestions on different GPUs, and have no brand loyalty. I am also concerned about the current processor as it is a 2.8 GHz dual core. Will I need to upgrade this as well in order to make full use of the HD-7750 GPU? I can not change the motherboard without purchasing a new OS, as the copy of XP is a builders license.

Thanks for any input,
Andrew
 
Umm yeah a 7750 may just about run off a 350W PSU... possibly. Not entirely sure, it should be OK as it is a quality PSU,

Why not use your X6 build though for gaming and hook it up to the TV?
 
My reason for not using the X6 computer is that it is in my office on the opposite side of my house from my family room.

I will be comfortable with the PSU, because the GPU has a TDP of 55W. This is only 5W more than the additional power the PSU is rated for and it is a better PSU. My current CPU is rated at 65W, and a Phenom II X4 would only take 125W. This would leave over 150W for the remainder of the computer.

Thanks,
Andrew
 
I have spent some time searching for a good TFX form factor PSU, and the only ones I have found with a advertised rating above 350W are from lesser brands or are modified PSUs with no real documentation.

On Newegg, there is a 400W model from Athena Power with a combined 12V amperage of 26. This is only 312W. The PSU from Seasonic has a combined 12V wattage of 348, so it has 36 more watts on the 12V supply. The Seasonic has a lower rating on the 3.3V rail, but this should not be a problem. The 12V combined rating of my current supply is 240W, so the Seasonic is rated at 108W more. With the full load of the 7750 being 55W at 12V, I will still have 53W more available power at 12V than my current setup. This would allow me to run a 95W CPU (Phenom II X4) and still have more overhead than I currently have.

I appreciate the concern about the power supply, but believe that the 400W recommendation is based on pairing this GPU with a higher power CPU (125-140W) and an inexpensive PSU like the 400W Athena Power model with less 12V amperage than the 350W Seasonic. I am quite confident that the power supply will be capable of covering the added load of the GPU.

My main questions are whether there is a better GPU, or a cheaper one that will handle the graphics of the games I want to play. I would also like to know if I will see a benefit by upgrading the CPU and which CPU I should go for. I am hoping to get a minimum of two more years of service from this computer before I feel the need to upgrade the MB, CPU, and RAM, so spending another $200-$300 seems reasonable as long as I will get a benefit. The PSU and GPU put me at $185, so I have a bit of wiggle room on a processor. I just do not expect to be doing a lot of multitasking with this so I am not sure whether to go quad core or higher clocked dual core.

Thanks,
Andrew
 
After spending more time looking for a better PSU, I have come up empty. I did notice that the PSU I have selected will interfere with the 80mm fan in my case. I modded the case to accept a 120mm fan directly above the CPU, so I may be able to eliminate the 80mm or move it to the outside of the case. Tacky looking, but it is on a narrow shelf and will not be visible.

I am about to go ahead with the purchase, and am considering upgrading the CPU to a Phenom II X4 965 C3. It is currently $85. This would increase the CPU TDP from 65W to 125W. I could also put the 965 in my sister's computer and take her 945 as an upgrade to my HTPC while being nice to her. The 945 has a TDP of 95W which would be more PSU and cooling friendly.

In any case, the GPU is 55W so that plus the 965 would use a combined 180W. This is a bit over half the 350W rating of the Seasonic SS-350TGM. I think I would be more worried about cooling the CPU in this little case than overloading the PSU.

My main questions are:

Is it worth upgrading the CPU?
If so, will a Phenom II X2 945 (3.0 GHz) be good improvement or should I keep the 965 and put a bit more effort into cooling.
Should I go with a different brand GPU? The one I have chosen is the least expensive and has the largest cooler. I do not tend to overclock, so that is not a concern.

Thanks,
Andrew
 
Is it possible to put an AMD FX in my 1090T build? The motherboard has an AM3 socket.

Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128435

If there is a good CPU upgrade to my main computer then that would be my best option.

The video card I have listed in the first post is Low Profile, and comes with the correct height brackets for my case. It does not get as good of reviews as the Sapphire one you linked, but it is currently $10 cheaper and has a bigger cooler.

I have considered buying a PS3, and it would most likely be a less expensive option. I am just hoping to make the computer a bit better, and I also like the tinkering portion of it.
 
Can ho Airport Tower view sân golf Cách sân bay Tân Son Nh?t ch? 10 phút di xe máy. (Trong quy ho?ch tuong l?i có du?ng n?i b? trong sân golf n?i li?n d? án v?i du?ng H?ng HÃ* vÃ* Tru?ng Son - Rút ng?n kho?ng cách di l?i). D? án can h? t?a l?c t?i m?t ti?n du?ng Tân Son g?n giao l? Quang Trung vÃ* Tân Son.

Vì Sao lÃ* can h? Airport Tower?

- Ch? v?i 1 bu?c chân, ch? nhân can h? có th? hu?ng th? t?t c? ti?n Ã*ch t? sân golf r?ng 157ha c?a sân bay Tân Son Nh?t nhu: khu v?c t? khu mua s?m hi?n d?i, khu ph?c h?p nhÃ* hÃ*ng, khách s?n 5 sao+ , h? th?ng siêu thi Coop-mart, tru?ng Qu?c T? khu v?c Tân Bình; cho d?n m?ng xanh r?ng l?n c?a công viên Gia D?nh, công viên HoÃ*ng Van Th? vÃ* sân golf Tân Son Nh?t. Hu?ng t?m nhìn tuy?t d?p ra sân golf, sân bay mÃ* "không bao gi? b? che khu?t"


Quang HoÃ*ng: 0919 187 159
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Dang Ký Nh?n B?ng Giá, H?p D?ng, Phuong Th?c Thanh Toán



CAN%2520HO%2520SAN%2520BAY.jpg

Ph?i C?nh can H? Airport Tower

QUY MÔ D? ÃN:

D? án thi?t k? 12 t?ng v?i 2 t?ng h?m chìm - dáp ?ng nhu c?u d? xe cho cu dân vÃ* khách. T?ng tr?t dÃ*nh cho trung tâm thuong m?i vÃ* ti?n Ã*ch ph?c v? dân cu. Nhu: nhÃ* tr?, trung tâm ý t?, phòng sinh ho?t c?ng d?ng...

D?c di?m n?i b?t c?a d? án

- Can h? Airport Tower view sân golf, sân bay tân son nh?t có v? trÃ* n?m ngay trung tâm qu?n Tân Bình, du?ng Tân Son
- Giá r? nh?t hi?n nay 12,5-14,5 tr/m2 ( kho?ng 750 - 900 tr/can)
- T?c d? xây d?ng c?c nhanh ( do xây cho cán b? su doÃ*n 370 ).
- Ch? d?u tu B? Qu?c Phòng.
- Có t?i 2 t?ng h?m, trung tâm thuong m?i, view sân golf 36 l? , c?c k? thoáng mát.


D?c bi?t:

- D? án Airport Tower view sân golf, sân bay tân son nh?t du?c thi?t k? nhi?u lo?i can h? có view nhìn v? sân golf 36 l? trong sân bay Tân Son Nh?t.
- Di?n tÃ*ch da d?ng v?i nhi?u lo?i di?n tÃ*ch t? 60m2 d?n 80m2, lo?i 2 phòng ng?, 1 phòng khách, b?p vÃ* toilet...
- Giá ch? t? 12,5tr/m2 d?n 14,5tr/m2 chua bao g?m VAT. Giá dã t?t l?i du?c k? h?p v?i m?t phuong th?c thanh toán vô cùng giãn cách.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Can H? Lan Phuong MHBR Tower du?c th?a hu?ng t?t c? nh?ng ti?n Ã*ch hi?n h?u c?a h? th?ng h? t?ng kinh t? - xã h?i ?n d?nh trong khu v?c, bao g?m ch? Th? D?c, siêu th? Coop Mart, b?nh vi?n Th? D?c, D?i h?c Qu?c gia TP. HCM vÃ* Trung tâm Th? d?c Th? thao Qu?c gia II. d? án lÃ* co h?i lý tu?ng cho phép b?n ti?p c?n d?y d? các d?ch v? thuong m?i, cham sóc y t?, phát tri?n giáo d?c.ChÃ*nh uu th? c?a v? trÃ* giao thuong huy?t m?ch, d? án th?a mãn c? nhu c?u an cu t?c th?i vÃ* còn m? ra m?t kênh d?u tu b?t d?ng s?n hi?u qu? do tÃ*nh thanh kho?n cao.

Ký HD tr?c ti?p ch? d?u tu v?i thanh toán uu dãi d?c bi?t:

TR? CH?M T?I 04 NAM KHÔNG LÃI SU?T

(Di?n tÃ*ch h?p lý t? 62-96m2, t? 2-3 PN vÃ* 2-3 WC, giá t? 14,5 tr/m2)

Ngân hÃ*ng h? tr? vay t?i: 70% trong vòng 15 nam.

Mua giá g?c vÃ* Ký HD mua bán tr?c ti?p v?i Ch? D?u Tu.



Quang HoÃ*ng: 0919 187 159
Ki?u Nga: 0919 022 011

Dang Ký Nh?n B?ng Giá, H?p D?ng, Phuong Th?c Thanh Toán



Can H? Lan Phuong MHBR Tower Qu?n Th? D?c t?a l?c t?i s? 104 H? Van Tu - P.Tru?ng Th? - Q.Th? D?c, n?m gi?a khu dân cu s?m u?t v?i di?n tÃ*ch khuôn viên 3,897m2. Cao ?c n?m ? v? trÃ* d?c d?a thu?n ti?n giao thông, n?m ngay Trung tâm hÃ*nh chánh c?a Qu?n, cách ch? Th? D?c 200m, g?n B?nh vi?n Th? D?c, LÃ*ng D?i h?c, LÃ*ng bi?t th?, d?c bi?t g?n Trung tâm van hoá Th? d?c th? thao Qu?n. Lan Phuong MHBR Tower lÃ* chung cu d?u tiên qu?n Th? D?c có can h? Penthouse (t?ng 19 ch? có 4 can).

Thông tin v? d? án:

. Di?n tÃ*ch khuôn viên: 3897 m2
. Di?n tÃ*ch xây d?ng: 1156 m2
. Di?n tÃ*ch sÃ*n xây d?ng: 23172 m2
. Cao t?ng: 19 + 1 t?ng h?m d? xe
. S? l?ong can h?: 214
. Di?n tÃ*ch: t? 62 d?n 141 m2 / can h?
. Di?m nh?n: 4 Penthouse trên t?ng thu?ng du?c thi?t k? d?c dáo, ti?n nghi, d?c bi?t sang tr?ng v?i m?ng sân vu?n thoáng r?ng nhu mang c? b?u tr?i d?n g?n bên b?n.
. D? án Can Ho Lan Phuong MHBR Tower n?m ngay Trung tâm hÃ*nh chÃ*nh c?a qu?n.
. Cách ch? Th? D?c 200m.
. Cách B?nh vi?n Th? D?c 1km.
. Cách siêu th? Coop Mart 1km theo tuy?n H? Van Tu - Võ Van Ngân.
. Cách D?i h?c Qu?c gia TP. HCM vÃ* Trung tâm Th? d?c Th? thao Qu?c gia II 1,5km.
. Cách ngã tu Th? D?c, c?a ngõ di v? trung tâm TP. HCM vÃ* các t?nh Bình Duong, D?ng Nai, BÃ* R?a - Vung TÃ*u 1 km.
. Cách sân bay Tân Son Nh?t 15 km theo du?ng vÃ*nh dai Tân Son Nh?t - Bình L?i.


Can H? Lan Phuong MHBR du?c thi?t k? theo phong cách hi?n d?i k?t h?p hoÃ*n h?o gi?a hình kh?i ki?n trúc m?nh m? v?i m?ng xanh thiên nhiên m?m m?i t?o nên không gian s?ng hÃ*i hòa, b?n v?ng, v?i khuôn viên cây xanh tr?i d?c l?i di, th?m c? êm mu?t hi?n ra ngay du?i c?a s? các can h? vÃ* nh?ng lÃ*n gió mát t? dòng sông tho m?ng n?m phÃ*a sau Lan Phuong MHBR Tower.

S? h?u Can h? Lan Phuong b?n s? t?n hu?ng m?t không gian s?ng tuy?t v?i v?i nhi?u ti?n Ã*ch c?ng d?ng nhu:

- Kho?ng không gian xanh.
- Môi tru?ng s?ng hi?n d?i.
- Phòng sinh ho?t c?ng d?ng l?n.
- Khu vui choi gi?i trÃ* thi?u nhi.
- Trung tâm thuong m?i.
- Trung tâm th? thao - th?m m?
- Chu?i c?a hÃ*ng an u?ng, cafe bar.


Ph?i C?nh Can H? Lan Phuong MHBR Tower:

phoicanh%2520lan%2520phuong%252010-08-2010.jpg

Ph?i C?nh Can H? Lan Phuong MHBR Tower

V? TrÃ* Can H? Lan Phuong MHBR Tower:

vi-tri-can-ho-chung-cu-lan-phuong-thu-duc.png

V? TrÃ* Can H? Lan Phuong MHBR Tower

vi%2520tri.png

V? TrÃ* Can H? Theo Bán KÃ*nh

M?t B?ng Can H? Lan Phuong MHBR Tower:

04-MB%2520TANG%252003-18%2520kem%2520dien%2520tich.jpg

T?ng 03-18 Can H? Lan Phuong MHBR Tower Qu?n Th? D?c
 
toolcrib said:
Is it possible to put an AMD FX in my 1090T build? The motherboard has an AM3 socket.

Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128435

If there is a good CPU upgrade to my main computer then that would be my best option.

The video card I have listed in the first post is Low Profile, and comes with the correct height brackets for my case. It does not get as good of reviews as the Sapphire one you linked, but it is currently $10 cheaper and has a bigger cooler.

I have considered buying a PS3, and it would most likely be a less expensive option. I am just hoping to make the computer a bit better, and I also like the tinkering portion of it.
Click to expand...

HIS 7750 you linked with 4.8" height
SAPPHIRE 7750 with 2.64"
You case 3.8"

Do you know which ver of GA-890GPA-UD3H have you got?
The later version 3.1 support FX CPU
 
Unfortunately, the board I have is an older version than 3.1. I currently have the second fastest Hex core on the CPU compatibility list, so I do not see an upgrade path with that motherboard. I purchased the board in August of 2010, so AM3+ was not available at that time. The CPU socket is also white rather than the black that indicates an AM3+ socket. Fortunately, I have no complaints about the performance of this computer even with large 3D CAD models.

The 4.8" dimension of the HIS 7750 I have linked is due to the fact that it is shipped with a full height bracket attached. The package contains two low profile brackets, so it should fit once these are switched. It is also advertised as "Low Profile Ready for Slim Case". I am tempted to get the Sapphire one, simply because it has the better reviews.

I suppose I could just get the GPU and PSU for now and see if I need a better CPU for the games I want to play.

Thanks,
Andrew

P.S. Is there a way for a moderator to delete reply #9 by AIRPOTTOWER as it is obvious SPAM and has nothing to do with this thread?
 
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I went ahead an upgraded the GPU, CPU, and PSU so I figured I should let people know the results.

The only game I have tested so far is NFS Shift, and that one gets around 40 FPS at 1920x1080 with good settings. It is definitly playable, so I call it a success.

The 95W CPU presented a thermal problem with the cores hitting 78C in prime95, so I added a 120mm fan to the top. This helped, so I bought a better fan. The Corsair SP120-HPE keeps the cores around 70C max with the CPU temp reading 62C.

I took some pictures to show how cramped the case is, but outside of a 2u server chassie, I do not have many options in the space it has to go.

htpc_1.jpeg


htpc_2.JPG


htpc_3.JPG


htpc_4.JPG


And since I was taking pictures, I figured I would put one up of my good computer.

main_comp_1.JPG


Thanks for the input and cautions,
Andrew

P.S. Is there a way to have a moderator delete reply #9 by airporttower, as it is spam and has nothing to do with this thread?
 
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