Is upgrade from AMD to Nvidia POSSIBLE?

Tenz Apisith

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Apr 15, 2014
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I always wanted to upgrade my system ever since I bought it. Now I'm currently using R9 270x OC graphic card with A10 6700 APU, but I wanted to upgrade to GTX 980ti and I don't know whether it would be possible or not. What should I do??? Would the system reject Nvidia card?
 
Solution
A GTX980ti will run in your current motherboard as a replacement for your R9-270X.
One caveat is that you will need a decent psu of 600w or more.
You first uninstall the AMD graphics program, then install the GTX980ti. It will have a basic low res display that does not need any graphics drivers.
When you then install the nvidia drivers you will get full functionality.
You will get a massive boost in graphics capability.
As others have noted, your cpu is very weak, and may not be able to drive the GTX980 to anywhere near it's capability.

Before you buy such a card, try to assess how well it might do.

a) Run YOUR games, but lower your resolution and eye candy.
If your FPS increases, it indicates that your cpu is strong enough to...
It would not reject the card... just remove your AMD GPU drivers and install the nvida ones. Although i would not recommend getting the GTX 980 ti with that CPU - would make a very unbalanced system. Your r9 270x is a pretty good match for that CPU - so unless you also plan to upgrade your CPU i would recommend holding off on a new GPU.
 
A GTX980ti will run in your current motherboard as a replacement for your R9-270X.
One caveat is that you will need a decent psu of 600w or more.
You first uninstall the AMD graphics program, then install the GTX980ti. It will have a basic low res display that does not need any graphics drivers.
When you then install the nvidia drivers you will get full functionality.
You will get a massive boost in graphics capability.
As others have noted, your cpu is very weak, and may not be able to drive the GTX980 to anywhere near it's capability.

Before you buy such a card, try to assess how well it might do.

a) Run YOUR games, but lower your resolution and eye candy.
If your FPS increases, it indicates that your cpu is strong enough to drive a better graphics configuration.
If your FPS stays the same, you are likely more cpu limited.

b) Limit your cpu, either by reducing the OC, or, in windows power management, limit the maximum cpu% to something like 70%.
Go to control panel/power options/change plan settings/change advanced power settings/processor power management/maximum processor state/
This will simulate what a lack of cpu power will do.
Conversely what a 30% improvement in core speed might do.

You should also experiment with removing one core. You can do this in the windows msconfig boot advanced options option. set the number of processors to less than you have.
This will tell you how sensitive your games are to the benefits of many cores.

If your FPS drops significantly, it is an indicator that your cpu is the limiting factor, and a cpu upgrade is in order.

It is possible that both tests are positive, indicating that you have a well balanced system, and both cpu and gpu need to be upgraded to get better gaming FPS.
 
Solution

delaro

Judicious
Ambassador
A R9 280X or Equivalent is about as high as I would go with a A10 or Athlon II X4 on FM2, you have two options if you want to see a difference.

1. Overclock the CPU and Max your Ram Speed if not maxed now, look at 2400mhz APU's gain more than a 25% performance boost from 1600mhz to 2400mhz.
2. Replace the CPU/MB to a Intel I5 to consider a 970 GTX or better.
 

Tenz Apisith

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Apr 15, 2014
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4,510


The system is HP Pavilion 500 119ea
CPU: A10 6700 APU
Mobo: MSI MS778 V1
PSU: Corsair 500CXm
 
You would need a new PSU to run a gtx 980 Ti safely with that system. But unless you also plan to upgrade your CPU i would avoid the GTX 980 Ti and go with a GTX 960. The r9 380 might also be an option but it may stress your current PSU too much - making the GTX 960 the safest bet..