Hi. Over the Christmas holiday I had a Radeon X1650pro finally give out on me.

The computer is an HP a1230n that's been upgraded to an Athlon XP x2 3800+ that was originally a Single core 3800+.

Just to get by, I went out and purchased the XFX HD 6670.

I know the card isn't being used to its full potential in this computer. So I've decided to upgrade from the ground up.

I'm interested in the AMD A8-3570K and FM1 motherboard.

I understand the XFX HD 6670 is able to be crossfired and I haven't read anywhere of it being crossfired with the A8 3570k. However, from reviews, I have read that this is the highest card to be crossfired with this Processor.

Well, I figured to get accurate information, the only true place would be here... an AMD forum. Plus, everywhere else, i get nothing but "go intel"... rather than actual help. Im not wanting a debate on what is better, i just want some info for my choices and options that strictly stay with an AMD based computer system. Not to be rude... Please, no Intel Fan Boys.

I use the computer for some mild gaming, mostly Games running on the Source engine like Half Life 2:Source, Left 4 Dead 1 & 2, Day Of Defeat: Source, and the Guild Wars series.

I am looking to be ready for the Guild Wars 2 release, but they havent released game requirements yet so Im going off of the requirements of Diablo 3's release. Which look fairly mild.

My question is this... would the A8-3570K be an excellent match to this video card? Also, what motherboard would be a good suggestion for these two items to combine together that would work well.

Also, if this helps, I've purchased a Cooler Master HAF 912 case to use for this build.

Any information is much appreciated. I'm not looking to go extreme, just a simple upgrade that fits a mid range budget.

Thanks

I've got an A3850 in hybrid Crossfired with a 6670.

Yes, it is the highest card that will work with the APU graphics BUT it will only work in crossfire with DirectX 11.0 games  -  not many.

IMO, if you want to go the crossfire route; get a Phenom quad core and keep the 6670 until you can afford a 7000 HD series card and crossfire that.

The crossfire with the APU hasn't been very helpful for me.   99% of the time I'm only using the 6670; the only app that I have that fully uses DirectX 11.0 if the free Grid game that came with the APU.

If you do go the APU route make sure the vid cable is plugged into the 6670 so it is the primary card.

Oh thank you, thank you.

I havent been able to find much of anything in regards to anyone thats using one now.

Its not that I can't afford it... I just wasn't really interested in spending a lot of money on a computer. I have other hobbies that are just a tad bit more expensive. lol

Okay, I basically got interested in the crossfiring thing because I had read it could be done with this APU.

So what Phenom quad and motherboard combo would you suggest for this particular 6670 card?

I basically want to match the card. At least get away from the severe bottleneck its in now.

 

 

As far as motherboards go, I always buy Asus, but Gigabyte, Sapphire, MSI make fine boards. Asrock does too Really its up to what you want to spend..  If your wanting to buy an APU.. wait a few months. Lano APU's are being replaced.. probably by the middle of the year.

Or like Jpotter said... buy a Phenon 955 motherboard and 6670. Call it good. 

But before going to a 200W CPU/VGA combo make sure the PSU in your current PC is rated enough for it. If it isn't.. you'll have serious issues.

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I5 3570K@4~5.0ghz: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H:Corsair Hydro H70w/Delta 240CFM Fan: 16GB Corsair Vengeance DDR-3 1600: 2 XFX Radeon 7950 @ 1150/1575 : Corsair AX 860 PSU: x2 WD Black 1TB HDD's: 90GB OCZ Agility 3:CL X-FI:Corsair 500R Arctic White Edition:3 22inch Asus monitors Eyefinity @ 5294x 1050(bezel comp) : Alienware Tact-X Keyboard: Naga Razer gaming mouse:Corsair Vengance 1500 Headset .

6670...not much power. GW2 is going to run on a TI-86 like its predecessor (MMO's require the crappiest hardware possible so they can sell as many units as possible) and won't be here till Christmas, so don't be in a rush

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Crosshair IV Formula, Phenom II x4 965 w/ Corsair H60, 8 GiB OCZ Platinum DDR3 1600, XFX HD 7970 Ghz, 512GB Vertex 4, 256GB Vector, 240GB Agility 3, Creative X-Fi Titanium w/ Creative Gigaworks S750, SeaSonic X750, HP ZR2440w, Win 7 Ultimate x64

Thanks for the responses. I kinda figured I came in for a system upgrade at the wrong time. I have been doing much research, and it seems as though im on the cusp of insanity in regards to an upgrade.

I have an old empty Gateway 4200-09 that only has a working mother board and processor, Phenom II 9150e

So I might just pick up some ram and combine both the HP and Gateway into one in the new case and call it good for now. Maybe wait till the end of the year for a full build.

My heart isn't set on this 6670 video card... i just hated to upgrade and it be a waste. I got it dirt cheap, $64 with a free game that my little one likes to play. So im not out much.

This old Athlon has been faithfull and has ran 24/7 since the day it came home. lol