The Mother Board

birdiemc · Pilgrim Joined: 22 Dec 2009 Posts: 8

I've finally convinced my wife to let me build a new machine. All the parts are supposed to be delivered today, so I'm pretty excited. I'm taking a graphics class this semester where we will be learning solidworks so I would like to be able to load it up at home. I also would like to stream video across my house to my projector so i can watch Spurs play on my 135" screen. So now I'm looking for the right graphics card. No gaming.

ASUS M4A785-M Motherboard
AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition Callisto 3.1GHz
OCZ Reaper HPC 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066
460w PSU

questions:
-since mobo chipset is ATI, does that limit me to ATI only gpu?
-with crossfire is it possible to power one monitor per card?
-mobo i got has onboard graphics(ATI Radeon HD 4200), can that be paired with graphics card for better performance?
-will workstation card be ok for streaming video?
-would it be ok/advisable to pair a "desktop" card with a "workstation" card?

the cards i am looking at are
SAPPHIRE 100286L Radeon HD 4860
HIS H485FM1GH Radeon HD 4850
ATI 100-505551 FirePro V3700
ATI 100-505505 FireGL V7700

pretty much limited to somethin under $200 for now

o1die2 · Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2010 1:49 pm Post subject:

You need to list your power supply brand and 12v rails in amps to make a better choice of video card.

fussnfeathers · Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2010 2:28 pm Post subject:

1. No. You can use an nVidia card if you want to. You just won't be able to use Hybrid CrossfireX.

2. Yes. Chipsets capable of supporting Hybrid CrossfireX will run multiple monitors, two per GPU.

3. Yes, I just answered that. Your board supports combining the onboard GPU with a discreet card. Check AMD's site for cards that will work properly.

4. More or less. Workstation canrds don't work the same way "gaming" cards (for lack of a better term) do. If this is going to be a do-it-all machine with graphics just as a sideline/learning process (and you won't be hitting any heavy design for awhile anyway) stick with a regular gaming style card. It'll do fine in graphics design, it'll just be slower than a true workstation card.

5. No. For one, if you put a workstation card in that motherboard, you won't have Crossfire, those cards do not support it. You'll have to disable onboard graphics. For two, even if you thought I was full of it, and bought one of each card anyway, you've only got one video card slot. cool

You'd also be trying to mix two different video drivers. You can pull that off, sometimes, but it's not advisable.

And yes, post what make, model, and ratings are on that PSU. Unless it's a high quality model, rated 460w continuous (not peak, mind you) with a good amp rating, it's not going to cut the mustard.
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birdiemc · Pilgrim Joined: 22 Dec 2009 Posts: 8

thank you for the answers. good point about only having one slot for video card. my psu is a cooler master rs-460-psar-j3, looks like i got 18A on the 12v rail only have one 6pin connector. if i have to buy new psu i will, i just had a really really small budget to work with. This one is fine for running what i currently have, but i understand i will probably have to upgrade to a better one eventually. for now though, i plan on sticking with the onboard graphics as long as i can get by with it since like you said, I won't be doing anything extensive in solidworks for a while. UPS just dropped off my parts so it's time to start building, I'm like a kid at Christmas!!!

fussnfeathers · Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2010 3:02 pm Post subject:

Yep, a new PSU is definitely needed. The two Radeons you picked require a minimum 500w PSU with two 6 pin PCIe connectors at 75w each, so about 17a for the card. You'll want to look at something in the 650 watt range, or a little higher, I'm fond of the Corsair 750HX, or step down a bit to the TX model. Not too pricey for what you get.
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birdiemc · Pilgrim Joined: 22 Dec 2009 Posts: 8

wow, i'm an unhappy little man right now! been waiting for all this stuff to come in for two weeks now, just got here and i go to put it together, turns out the PSU doesn't actually have a 24pin, just a 20pin for mobo.

got to lookin at specs on newegg it says it has 20+4 which I assumed meant 24pin....does that mean i combine the 20pin with a 4pin and plug that into my mobo?

yes, as you can tell i'm new to building my own

fussnfeathers · Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2010 3:19 pm Post subject:

The main connector should have come snapped together.....just grab the 20 pin, and follow the wires up. You'll run into a little four-pin connector that looks lost. Snap it onto the side of the 20 pin, you'll see where it goes.
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birdiemc · Pilgrim Joined: 22 Dec 2009 Posts: 8

yeah after i got finished freaking out and sat pack down and looked at everything i found the 4pin that snaps together onto the 20pin

fussnfeathers · Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2010 3:38 pm Post subject:

first key to building a computer. Don't freak out. You'll wind up plugging something in backwards......even if it's not physically possible. Just take your time. And chances are very good you'll fire it up the first time, and it won't boot. Check everything carefully again. Welcome to the jungle.
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Faster than the speed of snot

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