Upgrade to GTX 970

Tetrahedral1 · Mar 20, 2016

Hello, I am planning on upgrading my graphics card to GTX 970 but I am not sure if the card is compatible with my other components. My computer was not made by me, but rather bought built.
This is the one I bought: http://www.amazon.com/CybertronPC-Hellion-TGM1213B-FX-6300-GeForce/dp/B00D1KWS3I

I am willing to replace the other components in order to be compatible with the GTX 970. Please let me know if there is hope for me to upgrade to a better graphics card. Thank you.

Here's the information on the system information - system summary
OS Name Microsoft Windows 10 Home
Version 10.0.10586 Build 10586
Other OS Description Not Available
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Name HORIZON
System Manufacturer Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
System Model GA-78LMT-USB3 6.0
System Type x64-based PC
System SKU
Processor AMD FX(tm)-6300 Six-Core Processor, 3500 Mhz, 3 Core(s), 6 Logical Processor(s)
BIOS Version/Date Award Software International, Inc. F2, 11/25/2014
SMBIOS Version 2.4
Embedded Controller Version 255.255
BIOS Mode Legacy
BaseBoard Manufacturer Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
BaseBoard Model Not Available
BaseBoard Name Base Board
Platform Role Desktop
Secure Boot State Unsupported
PCR7 Configuration Binding Not Possible
Windows Directory C:\WINDOWS
System Directory C:\WINDOWS\system32
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume1
Locale United States
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "10.0.10586.0"
Time Zone Pacific Daylight Time
Installed Physical Memory (RAM) 16.0 GB
Total Physical Memory 16.0 GB
Available Physical Memory 11.2 GB
Total Virtual Memory 18.4 GB
Available Virtual Memory 13.0 GB
Page File Space 2.38 GB
Page File C:\pagefile.sys
Hyper-V - VM Monitor Mode Extensions Yes
Hyper-V - Second Level Address Translation Extensions Yes
Hyper-V - Virtualization Enabled in Firmware No
Hyper-V - Data Execution Protection Yes

Other information:
Games to play - Black Desert Online, Skyrim + mods, Dying Light, GTA V, etc...

Oishlam · Mar 20, 2016

I would say yes, but only if you upgrade your power supply. The 400-watt PSU is great for your system, but there are a couple of reasons I would consider you upgrade your PSU:
1) Nvidia's recommended power supply is at least 500 watts, so just to be sure, you may as well go look for a 500+ power supply*.
2) You probably don't have two 6-pin power connectors, so that's a bonus.

*If you do have two 6-pins (or adapters from molex, etc), then I'd suggest not buying another PSU just to try if it POSTs after installation. If not, I bet you need a better power supply.

Good luck!

barto · Mar 20, 2016

You'll need a better PSU. The power supplies that come with those prebuilts are pretty cheap. You'll need to invest in a solid 500 watt power supply. Tier 1 or Tier 2 if possible: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2547993/psu-tier-list.html

I want to point out one point, you will most likely not get 100% out of the 970 GTX because of the AMD 6300 you have.

Tom Tancredi · Mar 20, 2016

1) Your system isn't capable, everyone with FX-6xxx dumped these systems back in 2013, because 2013+ gaming titles demand more than the FX-6xxx can handle. AMD stopped 'Tit for Tat' with INTEL once the Haswell iCore line came out. I hear they are about to come out with a new line soon which they developed a competitor to the Hyperthreading built into the iCore series, but this is basically 10 years too late IMO.
2) As noted a PSU is the biggest issue here, I BOUGHT a 970, with my brand new build, and I will tell you that you need at LEAST a 650W, and YES it needs to have all the right connections for BOTH the GPU and Mobo.
3) The money you spent was mainly for the 1TB drive and 16GB RAM, the GPU was NEVER a Gamer's class GPU. Now while you could reinvest in a 'parts' (aka replace the PSU, CPU, Mobo, GPU) then you really need to step back because the RAM may not be compatible with the New CPU / Mobo, so there is another cost, the copy of Windows may be OEM, which means once you change the CPU/MOBO you have violated the OEM License, Windows detects it and refuses to load, reinstall, NOR REPAIR the system and you will have to buy a new copy of 'Windows' from Walmart / etc. and wipe the system with a new clean install of Windows (yes reinstalling all the apps, etc. NO you can't just put in the new code, done that still had problems repeatedly with trying to 'bypass' the license).

As you see now we talking whole new PC at this point anyway. So depends on your budget how much you wish to invest, your price was right ($750) but your choice system was not the best selection or informed.

If that sounds like too much work / cost, then for much less price of doing ALL that or even half that, get a PS4. It can play ALL 'off the shelf' titles out there on the PC (and many NOT available for PC), play them on HIGH graphics, and get 30FPS to 60FPS depending on the title, all for as little as $149 (refurbs at GameStop). if your going to stick to PC gaming, then stick to a i5 based CPU, and the GTX cards that end in x60, x70, x80 (like a GTX 970), any x10 thru x40 is meant for low end gaming (Angry Birds, Lemmings, Minecraft) at the best. A GTX x50 TI (not a normal x50) is the 'poor man's card' to game 'like on console' but not as you see on Youtube, Twitch, etc.

Tetrahedral1 · Mar 20, 2016

barto :

Thank you for replying.
If I will most likely not get 100%, should I still consider buying the GTX 970?

barto · Mar 20, 2016

Tetrahedral1 :

Do you plan on upgrading your CPU or motherboard?

Tetrahedral1 · Mar 20, 2016

Tom Tancredi :

1) Your system isn't capable, everyone with FX-6xxx dumped these systems back in 2013, because 2013+ gaming titles demand more than the FX-6xxx can handle. AMD stopped 'Tit for Tat' with INTEL once the Haswell iCore line came out. I hear they are about to come out with a new line soon which they developed a competitor to the Hyperthreading built into the iCore series, but this is basically 10 years too late IMO.
2) As noted a PSU is the biggest issue here, I BOUGHT a 970, with my brand new build, and I will tell you that you need at LEAST a 650W, and YES it needs to have all the right connections for BOTH the GPU and Mobo.
3) The money you spent was mainly for the 1TB drive and 16GB RAM, the GPU was NEVER a Gamer's class GPU. Now while you could reinvest in a 'parts' (aka replace the PSU, CPU, Mobo, GPU) then you really need to step back because the RAM may not be compatible with the New CPU / Mobo, so there is another cost, the copy of Windows may be OEM, which means once you change the CPU/MOBO you have violated the OEM License, Windows detects it and refuses to load, reinstall, NOR REPAIR the system and you will have to buy a new copy of 'Windows' from Walmart / etc. and wipe the system with a new clean install of Windows (yes reinstalling all the apps, etc. NO you can't just put in the new code, done that still had problems repeatedly with trying to 'bypass' the license).

As you see now we talking whole new PC at this point anyway. So depends on your budget how much you wish to invest, your price was right ($750) but your choice system was not the best selection or informed.

If that sounds like too much work / cost, then for much less price of doing ALL that or even half that, get a PS4. It can play ALL 'off the shelf' titles out there on the PC (and many NOT available for PC), play them on HIGH graphics, and get 30FPS to 60FPS depending on the title, all for as little as $149 (refurbs at GameStop). if your going to stick to PC gaming, then stick to a i5 based CPU, and the GTX cards that end in x60, x70, x80 (like a GTX 970), any x10 thru x40 is meant for low end gaming (Angry Birds, Lemmings, Minecraft) at the best. A GTX x50 TI (not a normal x50) is the 'poor man's card' to game 'like on console' but not as you see on Youtube, Twitch, etc.

Thank you for replying.
In regards to that, you say that my system is not capable. Do you think that if I do replace my graphics card with the GTX 970 with the AMD that I have now will still work? My budget is not that high at the moment so I'm thinking that I'll replace my processor to intel a couple months after. Would that work at the meantime?

Tetrahedral1 · Mar 20, 2016

barto :

I'm planning on upgrading my processor, but not till after a couple of months (maybe 2-4). I'm not sure if the motherboard needs replacing, or if I even have to.

If the answer is no, could you recommend a different graphics card for some MMO gaming? The graphics doesn't need to be on ultra, though at least medium to high.

Tom Tancredi · Mar 20, 2016

Tetrahedral1 :

Tom Tancredi :

Thank you for replying.
In regards to that, you say that my system is not capable. Do you think that if I do replace my graphics card with the GTX 970 with the AMD that I have now will still work? My budget is not that high at the moment so I'm thinking that I'll replace my processor to intel a couple months after. Would that work at the meantime?

Please reread what I stated before and requoted. no you can't just 'buy' a Intel processor and slap it, in requires also a new Mobo, etc. as I noted. Either replace the ENTIRE SYSTEM or go (as you noted cost wise) console (PS4) as the solution. If you want to use a PC as a gaming platform you need to pay heavily, which means MINIMUM $750

barto · Mar 20, 2016

Tom Tancredi :

1) Your system isn't capable, everyone with FX-6xxx dumped these systems back in 2013, because 2013+ gaming titles demand more than the FX-6xxx can handle. AMD stopped 'Tit for Tat' with INTEL once the Haswell iCore line came out. I hear they are about to come out with a new line soon which they developed a competitor to the Hyperthreading built into the iCore series, but this is basically 10 years too late IMO.
2) As noted a PSU is the biggest issue here, I BOUGHT a 970, with my brand new build, and I will tell you that you need at LEAST a 650W, and YES it needs to have all the right connections for BOTH the GPU and Mobo.
3) The money you spent was mainly for the 1TB drive and 16GB RAM, the GPU was NEVER a Gamer's class GPU. Now while you could reinvest in a 'parts' (aka replace the PSU, CPU, Mobo, GPU) then you really need to step back because the RAM may not be compatible with the New CPU / Mobo, so there is another cost, the copy of Windows may be OEM, which means once you change the CPU/MOBO you have violated the OEM License, Windows detects it and refuses to load, reinstall, NOR REPAIR the system and you will have to buy a new copy of 'Windows' from Walmart / etc. and wipe the system with a new clean install of Windows (yes reinstalling all the apps, etc. NO you can't just put in the new code, done that still had problems repeatedly with trying to 'bypass' the license).

As you see now we talking whole new PC at this point anyway. So depends on your budget how much you wish to invest, your price was right ($750) but your choice system was not the best selection or informed.

If that sounds like too much work / cost, then for much less price of doing ALL that or even half that, get a PS4. It can play ALL 'off the shelf' titles out there on the PC (and many NOT available for PC), play them on HIGH graphics, and get 30FPS to 60FPS depending on the title, all for as little as $149 (refurbs at GameStop). if your going to stick to PC gaming, then stick to a i5 based CPU, and the GTX cards that end in x60, x70, x80 (like a GTX 970), any x10 thru x40 is meant for low end gaming (Angry Birds, Lemmings, Minecraft) at the best. A GTX x50 TI (not a normal x50) is the 'poor man's card' to game 'like on console' but not as you see on Youtube, Twitch, etc.

1. Yes AMD is lacking in the CPU front right now. But his system is capable of running a 970. Is it worth it, most people will say no because of the obvious point that AMD is has weaker CPUs.
2. I'll wait for the math on this one.
3. One step at time here. Let's not get too far ahead.

Tetrahedral1 · Mar 20, 2016

Tom Tancredi :

Tetrahedral1 :

Please reread what I stated before and requoted. no you can't just 'buy' a Intel processor and slap it, in requires also a new Mobo, etc. as I noted. Either replace the ENTIRE SYSTEM or go (as you noted cost wise) console (PS4) as the solution. If you want to use a PC as a gaming platform you need to pay heavily, which means MINIMUM $750

Honestly, I have no idea what I am doing here and that is why I am asking for assistance. I came in here to seek solution about upgrading my computer, and I am thanking you for your response, but the "go buy a console instead if it's too hard for you" is not really necessary. I'll keep reading your response and try to comprehend. Thank you.

barto · Mar 20, 2016

Tetrahedral1 :

Yes. So the AMD FX 6300 is an AM3+ socket. Intel has a few sockets the 1155, 1150 and 1151 sockets for main stream. They are not interchangeable. If you were to move to an Intel CPU, you would have to purchase a new motherboard and OS as well. With Windows 10, the OS is tied to the motherboard. If you were to upgrade, you might be able to give Windows a call and move the OS over to your new motherboard.

So for MMOs, stronger CPUs is what helps FPS. GPUs come second. For a 6300, I wouldn't recommend a GPU over a 760 GTX or a r9 370. Anything higher than that would be wasteful.

GPU Heirarchy:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gpu-hierarchy,4388.html

Tetrahedral1 · Mar 20, 2016

barto :

So since the CPU is what helps with the FPS, should I prioritize buying the motherboard and cpu first over the gpu (gpu gets replaced in 2-4 months instead). Or would it just be better to wait it out and upgrade all three (+psu) at the same time?
I really appreciate your help, thank you.

Tom Tancredi · Mar 20, 2016

barto :

@Barto : You need to reread the Terms of Agreement, that is NOT accurate.

IF OP has a Off the Shelf (aka bought at Walmart) copy of Window 7/8/10 you are correct

IF OP has PRELOADED (aka DELL, Lenovo, Sony, etc.) OEM edition it is ONLY AND SOLELY LICENSED to that OEM HARDWARE and is NOT transferable under ANY circumstances to DIFFERENT hardware (i.e. CPU, Mobo and some cases even the case itself - had that happen to me before).

https://www.microsoft.com/OEM/en/licensing/sblicensing/Pages/transfer_oem_licenses.aspx#fbid=C3NAt8zg5L6
RULES stated to Dell, Lenovo, etc.

Microsoft has removed all the other 'licensing' website references and narrowed it down to either Off the Shelf or OEM only. The old 'buy a System Builder Edition for personal use' is no longer legit FYI
https://www.microsoft.com/OEM/en/licensing/sblicensing/Pages/windows-licensing-for-personal-use.aspx#fbid=C3NAt8zg5L6 "Windows 10, Windows 8.1, and Windows 7 system builder software does not permit personal use, and is intended only for preinstallation on customer systems that will be sold to end users.*"

barto · Mar 20, 2016

Tetrahedral1 :

Tom Tancredi :

Oh, I'm well aware of the licensing terms. My question is do you know what version CybertronPC sells? I'd bet it's OEM. However, I have personally had on OEM license move from one PC to another just by a simple phone call to Microsoft.

Tom Tancredi · Mar 20, 2016

Tetrahedral1 :

Not trying to confuse you OP, but yes this is all technical and deeply detailed that there is many different 'parts' so it isn't just buy one thing pop it in and done, great FPS. There are several parts (just like a car is more than the Gas Pedal and Steering Wheel, there is the Oil, the Drive Shaft, the Brake, etc. etc. etc.) that all need to be reviewed and some do NOT work with other 'old' parts so you HAVE to replace them as well.

The overall answer is NEW PC COMPLETE, that be the best 'cost saving method'. Save up and buy it one time as ALL pieces of your puzzle need to be replaced to work with the other parts. If saving up for a while (months) isn't a happy answer, then as I suggested to meet you 'desire' (I want it NOW to fix the FPS problem) then your only solution is get a PS4.

If you buy a CPU, Mobo and PSU, you need to make sure the PSU you get is correct for the new Mobo AND has connectors for a GTX 970 (as you first asked).

Then before you can even put that together, does the RAM (memory) work with THAT new CPU and Mobo? Maybe - maybe not, there is something ELSE you got to buy now before you can even work on this. NO RAM, NO WORKING PC.

As mentioned what about Windows, the license? Is it transferable? If not OH WELL, No working WINDOWS till you buy a brand new copy of Windows AND wipe your system (Skyrim Mods all bye bye etc.) and start all over again, ANOTHER expense. Etc.

OH and here is the best part: IF YOU MESS UP (aka bend pins when trying to insert the CPU for example) they will NOT replace the hardware FOR FREE . You need to rebuy that all over again, they don't replace stuff you 'accidentally' break. They are very stringent on that, and will want the 'broken part for inspection' before they will even consider your 'right' it was defective, which means you have a non working computer waiting weeks for them to get around and see if YOU broke it OR if it was something under warranty they need to replace.

Just so your aware what your getting into.

azzazel_99 · Mar 20, 2016

First off the only thing you need to replace is the power supply. Your fx6300 is going to run games just fine. Even better if you overclock it. Is it top of the line? No but will it run just fine with a 970? Yes. My sons pc which was my wifes uses a 6300 and it runs games just fine including battlefield 4, bioshock infinite and plenty of other games and its at stock clocks. Overclock it and it will be just fine for another year or 2. It will need to be upgraded eventually but it doesnt need to be right now. Focus on a good powersupply like something from corsair or evga or xfx or seasonic. Really the more watts the better. I honestly would aim for the 650+ range myself just so you have a little room to work in the future. Keep your processor and just get a new psu for your new 970.

azzazel_99 · Mar 20, 2016

at 2:16 into this video it changes to the fx6300 vs the 8350 vs 4690k just to show how relevant the 6300 really still is. If you're going to make claims such as he has to build a whole new pc because his gpu wont work with his current system back it up with facts and not lies backed by your opinions with no hard evidence. No advice is better than false bad advice.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rutk9ErhKG4

Here we see how it does in synthetic benchmarks against other intel and amd higher end processors. It does pretty well considering even intel's i5-2500k still to this date is an AMAZING processor!

http://www.futuremark.com/hardware/cpu/AMD+FX-6300/review

http://www.anandtech.com/show/6396/the-vishera-review-amd-fx8350-fx8320-fx6300-and-fx4300-tested/2

http://www.techradar.com/us/reviews/pc-mac/pc-components/processors/amd-fx-6300-1117533/review

https://linustechtips.com/main/topic/347623-fx-6300-gta-v-singleplayer-performance-first-impressions/

Tom Tancredi · Mar 20, 2016

Tetrahedral1 :

@BARTO
FACTS: Minimum requirements means a game can play at the barest minimum of
Low Graphics, 1024x768 Display @ 15FPS.
Recommended requirements is the game 'experiance AS ADVERTISED' (aka I saw on Youtube)
1080P-4K HIGH/Ultra Graphics around 60FPS.

So if OP is willing to have LOW graphics, display, and performance, sure your correct; otherwise as 99% of the posts here say "I want it like I saw on YOUTUBE/Twitch/etc." THEN.....

http://www.pcgamer.com/dying-light-system-requirements-are-killer/
Minimum requirements: Intel® Core™ i5-2500 @3.3 GHz / AMD FX-8320 @3.5 GHz
Recommended requirements: : Intel® Core™ i5-4670K @3.4 GHz / AMD FX-8350 @4.0 GHz

https://support.rockstargames.com/hc/en-us/articles/203428177-Grand-Theft-Auto-V-PC-System-Specs
Minimum specifications: Intel Core 2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40GHz (4 CPUs) / AMD Phenom 9850 Quad-Core Processor
((NOTE: Search forums for GTA V on system with Minimum specs and you will see even Rockstar had to own up that was way wrong, the RECOMMENDED was the true 'experience' minimum specs for hardware and constant issues with 'fixes' to address this caused more FPS drops http://gamepolitics.com/2015/07/13/rockstar-aware-problems-gta-v-gta-online-pc-after-latest-update/))
Recommended specifications: Intel Core i5 3470 @ 3.2GHZ (4 CPUs) / AMD X8 FX-8350 @ 4GHZ (8 CPUs)

http://www.gamespot.com/articles/fallout-4-pc-minimum-and-recommended-pc-specs-conf/1100-6431267/
Minimum Intel Core i5-2300 2.8 GHz/AMD Phenom II X4 945 3.0 GHz or equivalent
Recommended Intel Core i7 4790 3.6 GHz/AMD FX-9590 4.7 GHz or equivalent

http://www.geforce.com/games-applications/pc-games/far-cry-4/system-requirements
Minimum System Requirements : Intel Core i5-750 @ 2.6 GHz or AMD Phenom II X4 955 @ 3.2 GHz
Recommended System Requirements : Intel Core i5-2400S @ 2.5 GHz or AMD FX-8350 @ 4.0 GHz or better

And so on.. Yeah a low end game like BDO can play on a 1st Gen i3, and Skyrim NO MODS can run on Minimum System Requirements Dual Core 2.0GHz or equivalent processor but Recommended System Requirements of Quad-core Intel or AMD CPU (http://www.geforce.com/games-applications/pc-games/elder-scrolls-v-skyrim/system-requirements). The OP stated though WITH MODS, which if you took ANY time on www.nexusmods.com (as I am a paying member there), ALL the modder STATE to have "Skyrim + mods" installed and perform as 'recommended' it is again similar RECOMMENDED specs like GTAV, FC4, DylingLight, etc. for GAMEPLAY not even considering "Screen Archery", which is MIN iCore or FX-8xxx.

azzazel_99 · Mar 20, 2016

also there are plenty of sub $750 gaming rigs that game on medium/high settings. If you want to run everything on ultra then yes you'll spend $1500 but just like i have already proven with proof and not just my opinions the 6300 and your ram is perfect for another year or 2 if you overclock your cpu.

Tom Tancredi · Mar 20, 2016

Personally I am looking forward to AMD's new CPU release which has code that is supposed to challenge Intel's Hyperthreading (the reason iCore outperformed 'normally' AMD CPUs in 'daily normal / game' systems). It be great to see a low cost alternative that gives the benefits of the iCore series. But still waiting to see

barto · Mar 20, 2016

Tom Tancredi :

You like to read. I'll let you explain to the OP what benchmarks are and how the 6300 can't run those games when there are actual professions that post benchmarks showing it's possible. So the OP will have to turn down some settings. What a deal breaker.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/dying-light-benchmark-performance-analysis,4060-4.html
http://www.anandtech.com/show/9483/intel-skylake-review-6700k-6600k-ddr4-ddr3-ipc-6th-generation/21
http://www.techspot.com/review/1089-fallout-4-benchmarks/page5.html
http://www.gamersnexus.net/game-bench/2177-fallout-4-pc-video-card-fps-benchmark-all-resolutions
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/far-cry-4-benchmark-performance-review,4019-4.html

At the end of the day, we're just people on a forum helping others out. Some people aren't ready or have the option to invest in completely new build no matter how much you use all caps.

@Tetrahedral1

I'm sorry this went to the way side. If you have anymore questions I'll be able to help. Just know as I said early on, the 6300 will hold back the 970 GTX. To fully utilize that GPU, you'll need a stronger CPU + motherboard. I will say I wouldn't invest in a AMD 83XX CPU alone because your motherboard doesn't have the best power phases. The 760G chipset, was never designed for an AMD octocore. You could give overclocking a try but make sure to read some OC guides before you do so.

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