Upgrading my gfx card even possible?

BotoX8 · Nov 6, 2013

Hello

I would like to upgrade my gfx card, because I wanted to play cod ghosts yesterday and it didn't work (directx error). I found out why. My geforce gtx 260 wouldn't let me play the game, as it has a directx10 based gpu, but the game needs a gfx card gpu that supports directx11.

I play a lot of cod, l4d2 but also far cry 3 or bf3/bf4.
I am considering those gfx cards at the moment:
Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 OC 2 GB 256 -bit GDDR5 or geforce GTX 580.

According to this post here:

http://www.overclock.net/t/1240793/gtx-580-or-7870/10#post_16930408

It's a close run. But that is not the main question. Read on please.

After I read this:
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/348214-33-7870#7332512

I asked myself:

Now the important question: Does my motherboard even have a Pci-e 3.0 slot which the Radeon HD 7870 needs in order to function?

And do you think that it is clever to update to the HD 7870 with my specs?

My specs:

HP Pavilion Elite; Model: E9270F(AU917AA#ABA)

Processor: Intel Core i7-860 2.8GHz

Memory 8GB DDR3 1066

Graphics GTX 260

Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit

Motherboard:

Best regards!!

rolli59 · Nov 6, 2013

The cards are fully compatible with your slot which is PCIe ver 2.0 since the std is backward compatible.
HD7870 will work great in your system!

madsmagnus · Nov 6, 2013

Get a 660 Ti for that price.. Newer architecture and better/same performance as 580.

And no: that CPU, although old - probably wont be the main problem..

Your current card uses rougly same amount of power as a 660 Ti. So you dont need to think about a different PSU, whereas a 580 uses rougly 100W more.. I use 2 580's - they shouldnt be bought anymore.. old things.

Your dont need a PCI-E 3.0 to run a card able to run 3.0 - It will just scale down to 2.0 and there is no real performance increase from 2.0 to 3.0.
By no real increase i mean literally, none..

BotoX8 · Nov 6, 2013

wow you guys answer so fast!! I'm very impressed! Many many thanks :wahoo:

ok so then I go for the gtx 660 ti as your argument seems justified. now my question is which brand to get. I haven't got a clue what for instance the difference between this:

http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-GeForce-SUPERCLOCKED-Graphics-02G-P4-2662-KR/dp/B00966IREK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1383753670&sr=8-1&keywords=gtx+660+ti

and this:

http://www.amazon.com/Graphics-Overclocked-Edition-GTX660-TI-DC2O-2GD5/dp/B008Y65MUA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1383753670&sr=8-2&keywords=gtx+660+ti

is. one is superclocked and one overclocked. I suppose this makes the 50$ difference? and do you even recommend buying from amazon.com? btw, I live in Switzerland.

rolli59 · Nov 6, 2013

Well it is not easy to go cross countries on prices Here are German prices on GTX660, GTX660Ti, GTX760, HD7870 and HD7950.
In performance order they are GTX760> HD7950> GTX660Ti> HD7870> GTX660 but all with in 20-25% of each other. http://de.pcpartpicker.com/parts/video-card/#c=114,113,101,142,82,110,124,71&sort=a5

HD7870 for 154 euro is better buy than GTX 660Ti for 197 euro.

BlankInsanity · Nov 6, 2013

All cards if not most are backwards compatible with PCIE 2.0 and 1.0, I don't think any card maxes out PCIE 2.0 currently so you won't have any performance differences if your using 2.0 compared to 3.0. You will though experience a 20-25% decrease in performance if you were to use it in a PCIE 1.0.

Be aware of what PSU you have, since your comp is OEM you should be able to find the wattage on the side or somewhere on the PSU.

Find out how many amps are on the 12V rail aswell.

The HD 7870 requires a minimum 500W PSU with 23Amps on the 12V rail

If you're willing to spend a little more you can get the Gigabyte Hd 7870, Higher clock and 3 fans, just make sure it can fit in your case.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125418
this comes with 2 games that came out last year unfortunatly but for free

The Nvidia alternative the GTX 660(not the 580 -_-):
Requires 450W and 24A on the 12V rail

I'd suggest the MSI 660
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127699
this comes with Assassins Creed IV and Splinter Cell Blacklist

Both cards are equally good but the 7870 is about 9% better but...
The MSI gtx 660 version I posted has twin bios to go pass the voltage levels of reference card so you can easily surpass the 7870 plus! 2 new games compared to 2 old games how can you get better than that?

Choosing either is down to you, you won't be dissapointed.

You can(I think) use the gtx 260 to run Physx if you were to get the 7870, how it's done I'm not sure, its best you google that

BlankInsanity · Nov 6, 2013

Got this from another Topic...

"The 660s are worth it over the 660 tis. Unless you want the borderlands 2, the 660 is the better buy since the 660 tis are severely limited by bandwidth."

So get a 660 for less

BotoX8 · Nov 6, 2013

I chose this card:

http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-1754178/7870-gtx-660.html#11278076

MSI N660 TF 2GD5/OC GeForce GTX 660 2GB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card.

It has a 350W power supply. I read this here:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?cc=de&lc=de&dlc=de&docname=c01905329#N1318

does that work with this gfx card?

rolli59 · Nov 6, 2013

So you have been running the GTX260 on 350watt Bestec PSU?

BotoX8 · Nov 6, 2013

ye since 3 years

*edit*

damn gtx 260 needs actually 500 watt!!!

http://www.realhardtechx.com/index_archivos/Page362.htm

I didn't know this! could my gtx260 have burned at some point?

*second edt*

how can I be sure if my pc really only has 350 watt psu?

rolli59 · Nov 6, 2013

Open it up and take a look at the sticker on the PSU!

BotoX8 · Nov 6, 2013

I read here:

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/357917-33-output-running-minimum-card

"They do that in order to ensure users don't screw up." so this means that the 660 GTX won't really need 450 w?

rolli59 · Nov 6, 2013

Total system power pull with a GTX660 just breaks 300watts http://www.anandtech.com/show/6276/nvidia-geforce-gtx-660-review-gk106-rounds-out-the-kepler-family/17
Those are actual measured numbers at the wall.
So really the answer is yes and for the same reason the GTX260 has worked until now.

BotoX8 · Nov 6, 2013

but the 300 watts will only be used from the gfx card. I also got a CPU. this needs a lot of watts too or am I mistaken? sorry for asking so many questions. I am new to this PSU limitation stuff. 1 hour ago, I didn't even know what psu means lol.

rolli59 · Nov 6, 2013

BotoX8 :

No read it IT IS TOTAL SYSTEM LOAD!! on an overclocked power hungry I7 CPU actually measured at the wall!

The card maxes out at 130watts http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/MSI/GTX_660_Gaming/24.html

BotoX8 · Nov 6, 2013

I think I was wrong. That's a 460W PSU right there isn't it? so will this be enough?

BlankInsanity · Nov 6, 2013

looks like there's two 12V rails.. I could be wrong though thats an OEM PSU and even if it is it enough an aftermarket PSU is always better.

I'd start with a CX500 or a XFX 550W(higher quality)

rolli59 · Nov 6, 2013

BotoX8 :

Yes that is a Delta (high quality) 460watt unit, no worries with it. Normally HP uses Bestec and they leave a lot to be desired.
Delta manufacturers a lot of server PSU's where stability and durability is the biggest Value.

magneezo · Nov 6, 2013

Don't forget to read up on the R9 270x as it is said to be a rebranded 7870 at a smaller pricepoint and slight steroid injection.

BotoX8 · Nov 6, 2013

magneezo :

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/MSI/R9_270X_HAWK/26.html

You are right. It's almost as good as a GTX 660 Ti. I didn't find a comparison to the this card (MSI GeForce GTX 660 Twin Frozr III/OC) though:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127699

But I am pretty sure the MSI R9 270x Hawk beats the MSI GeForce GTX 660 Twin Frozr III/OC?

The last question now is if I can use it with my PSU 460 W? I am really not sure about that because the asus site says I need 700 W minimum. Wtf? Thermaltake Power Supply Calculator says about 480 W.

rolli59 · Nov 6, 2013

Since you are in Europe look at prices over there. http://de.pcpartpicker.com/parts/video-card/#c=114,113,101,142,82,110,124,71&sort=a5 Any card with a single PCI power connector will work with your PSU!

BotoX8 · Nov 6, 2013

The MSI Radeon R9 270X 2GB Hawk has 2 connectors so it won't work:

http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/msi_radeon_r9_270x_gaming_review,2.html

BlankInsanity · Nov 6, 2013

not any PSU will work aswell if you buy a CX600 it won't last last with an R9 series card, because the card is pretty demanding. a higher quality XFX 650W will last your longer because of the high quality capacitators and such. The seasonic or corsair TX series will work just as well

BlankInsanity · Nov 6, 2013

BotoX8 :

what do you mean 2 connectors? yes the card requires 2x 6+2 PCIE power connectors if thats what you mean then yes

BotoX8 · Nov 6, 2013

BlankInsanity :

well I am looking at my PSU right now and I see one 6 PCIE power connector. Damn it, I looked the whole day for a suitable grafics card and now that I found it, everything fails because of my stupid PSU?? I am really disappointed now...

Upgrading my gfx card even possible?

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