Guild Wars 2

Alright guys here are my specs:

Windows 7 64bit

processor: AMD A10-5700 APU with Radeon™ HD Graphics 3.40 GHz

RAM: 10gb

I have a AMD Radeon HD 7660 D graphics card.

I am on a 1600 × 900 monitor.

I know I need a better GPU, and a better processor would be nice. But what is the biggest problem with this rig?

What I am looking for at minimum to be able to have a consistant 60 FPS on medium settings anywhere other than a WvW zerg.

Cost efficiency IS a factor as well as compatability with my other parts since I probubly will upgrade my PC over time as opposed to all at once. Otherwise I’d go out and buy titans and call it a day! Please, Please, Please Help.

Note: I was considering a “Sapphire (11200-16-20G) Radeon HD 7850 1GB DDR5” as an upgrade to my graphics card but after looking around apperently people have been getting even WORSE FPS on that.

It really is a pain I don’t understand half of what these numbers and names mean in context for graphic cards…

i’d say run your windows experience index – http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/what-is-windows-experience-index#What-is-windows-experience-index=windows-7

Open Performance Information and Tools by clicking the Start button, and then clicking Performance Information and Tools,, run a benchmark on your system. then start replacing the slowest parts first.

Sounds perfect for any other game however… It wont tell me what I “NEED”. If I upgrade how will I know if it’ll be enough? I could shell out 300$ and get a minor upgrade than compared to where I could get a a part for half the price that works better with this game.

Not to mention a ton many people have posted around that have clearly stronger rigs than I do yet have significantly more problems. This is a situation I do not wish to be in. If possible I’d like to know what works from the get go.

I’d say all you would really need is a dedicated graphics card. also for the record, that Radeon HD 7660D is an integrated GPU on the processor itself. I’d buy like a Radeon HD 7750 dedicated graphics card though. Or a 7770. Don’t need anything fancy.
Also the 7850 is a good higher range graphics card. 7870 is the top of the AMD Radeon HD 7800 series so 7850 is just one step down. The game will run great on a 7700 series graphics card though. Or you could get an AMD Radeon HD 7790 and have near 7850 performance for less.

A better processor is going to be a problem since it’s a socket FM2 motherboard. Not a lot faster, A10-5800K, A10-6700, A10-6800K. And we aren’t talking HUGE amounts here, 8%, 15%, 20% roughly. And the 5800K and 6800K use more power which may be a problem.

Video we can do, it’s just adding a video card. The HD 7660D is great when you compare it to Intel’s integrated graphics but it’s still low end and dependent of system memory speed. Only problem is that it sounds like you have an HP box which doesn’t have a large power supply or one that supplies a lot of power at 12 volts which limits video cards a lot.

Thanks for the replies guys this is great info.

@Avelos Great =D I now have some options to look into this is perfect and just what I need <3~

@Behellagh I am indeed running on a HP, do you think if I upgraded the power source it would help my current performance issues, and do you think I’d need to upgrade it if I were to update my video card?

Upgrading the PSU will allow you to use say the 6800K and most GPUs without fear of burning out your current PSU and possibly your system and upgrading those will help your performance issues.

Certainly upgrading your graphics will help your frame rate and visuals in non-crunch situations.

As for not upgrading your PSU, I will need the HP model number to make sure, but most of those systems use a 300 watt PSU with only 15 to 19 amps at 12 volts which is tight with an AMD CPU/MB setup. And that’s the upgrade problem in a nutshell. The HD 7850 is an 130 watts max card, nearly all of it at 12 volts which means about 11 amps. That’s on top of whatever 12 volt amps the CPU is using. Then toss in fans, drives, misc. electronics and yea you will have likely exceeded 19 amps.

Sure it will hold together browsing but as soon as you start GW2, BOOM!. Maybe not a boom today, boom tomorrow. There’s always a boom tomorrow. Boom. Sooner or later. BOOM! (yes paraphrasing Ivanova from B5). Even an HD 7750 needs 55 watts max and even that is likely to push that PSU close to failure.

So something as “small” as the Corsiar CX430 would be a huge improvement with 32 amps or 380 watts available at 12 volts, big step up from 180-230 watts of a default HP 300 watt PSU. Assuming of course that’s what you have. Model number will help to verify the size.

I really appriciate the information thanks again for taking the time.

The Model number is: p7-1240

According to the hp website you are correct about the 300 wats it says 100 – 240 volts but I dunno what is what I may be reading the information wrong.

*Internal 300W (100V-240V)

Form factor: Internal ATX
Total wattage: 300W
Nominal input voltage range: 200-240V/3A (50-60Hz)
Dimensions: 150mm x 140mm x 86mm (5.9 × 5.5 × 3.4 inches)*

Based on this can you give me a few cost efficent recomendations? I never knew power supply was such a huge issue I’m a little perplexed as to why it wouldn’t be built to run at full efficenty out of the box ><!

It is kind of nice however to know that in terms of processor theres not to much better I could get without doing a bunch of needless urgent investments.

With that power supply being at 300 watts, you’ll need to purchase a replacement power supply (I recommend minimum 500 watt to give some breathing room) if you want to buy a Radeon HD 7700 series chip or a 7850.

Figured it was a P7-1240, it’s a popular store model in the US, then came the P7-1451 which simply has 2 vs 1 TB hard drive and a wireless card that supports 802-11a/b/g/n 2.4/5Ghz MIMO and Bluetooth 4.0 instead of 802-11/b/g/n 2.4GHz and Bluetooth 3.0. Same motherboard, memory, CPU and PSU. I think I saw a UK HP business model with a bigger PSU and since we don’t have little flags next to our names I had to ask.

HP’s case is rather tiny for a mATX case so it’s best to go with a similar size PSU, you see the dimensions, which is a standard ATX12V power supply. So as for recommendations taking Avelos’s considerations into account, the Corasir CX500M, 500 watts, up to 456 watts available at 12 volts. That should handle any current video card south of $500 without flinching. The modular design will allow you to eliminate any unneeded cables because storing the excess in such a small case can be troublesome. Downside is it’ll cost you $10 more for the privileged. Right now it’s $50 after rebate and sale. Rebate ends in a few days.

<3 <3

Prob gonna pick one up soon thanks again. Still unsure what card I’ll get thinking I’m leaning towards the 7790 or 7850.

I hope I find just as helpful people when I need to upgrade again.

Just to verify though there will be no in game performance difference with a new power source correct? However it will help my computers over all performer as well as allow me to use a stronger graphics card that will give my game much better performance.

Daishi.6027:

<3 <3

Prob gonna pick one up soon thanks again. Still unsure what card I’ll get thinking I’m leaning towards the 7790 or 7850.

I hope I find just as helpful people when I need to upgrade again.

Just to verify though there will be no in game performance difference with a new power source correct? However it will help my computers over all performer as well as allow me to use a stronger graphics card that will give my game much better performance.

Shoot for the 7850. Also, you are correct, there will be no visual increase in performance, but you will now have avenues to pursue when you upgrade, such as a better graphics card.

Yes a better power supply would allow you to use a better graphics card and if you want a better CPU such as the A10-6800K. A good quality PSU is a strong foundation to build the rest of the PC on.

This is the upgrade and servicing manual (pdf) for your case/system, the last section, starts on page 24, deals with swapping the power supply.