Getting the AMD rx480, should I try putting it in current system, or start over?

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Jlowe96

Commendable
Jun 15, 2016
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Hi, so I asked a few weeks ago about upgrading the GPU in my PC, and had a few responses with suggestions, in the end deciding on the new AMD RX480. I haven't ordered it yet, but after doing LOTS of research, I've found that people trying to upgrade my model have had lots of issues, my PC is the Acer Predator G3620 specs:

-CPU: Intel Core 15-3450 3.10GHz, 4 cores, 4 logical processors
-Mother Board: Acer Predator G3620
-RAM: 8.00GB Dual Channel DDR3 @ 665MHz
-GPU: 1535MB NVIDIA GeForce GT 645
-PSU: FSP Non-modular 500W Power Supply (Bronze 80 Plus Certified)
-Shipped with Windows 7 64bit (just upgraded to Windows 10)

From what I've read Acer have apparently locked the motherboard so that the GPU cannot be changed, I've been told that going into BIOS and disabling 'Secure boot' will allow me to unlock the mobo. Unfortunatley when I tried this (after upgrading to Windows10) I was unable to find this option, from what I've read this is because it was shipped with windows 7. I checked the Acer website for BIOS updates, but from what i can see they have NEVER released a Windows 7 BIOS update for this system. Now when i do order my new GPU i will plug it in and find out, but I'm fairly certain it won't work...

So if it doesn't miraculously work, I have two options:

1. Try and upgrade other components, mainly the MOBO, but I'm very new to this so I'm not really sure where I'd start with that, and i have no idea how to see if a new MOBO would be compatible with my components.

2. Build a brand new rig. If i chose to do this, would it be more logical to try and sell my system (dont know how much id get for it), or should i try and recycle some of my current components (Harddrive, rams sticks maybe?)

Any advice for my situation would be appreciated, I'm trying to keep costs as low as possible, which is why i was going for the RX480 anyway, and was originally hoping that would be the only necessary upgrade. Anyway thanks for any help.
 
Solution
demoth
Your PSU is generic so there is no way to predict what happens. Regardless, you want to wait another few weeks and avoid reference RX 480s in which case we will know more about the GTX 1060 which may be priced the same and more powerful. Your motherboard is the Intel B75 Express which is a good non-overclocking MB and should take any current aftermarket card. If Acer is in fact disabling card upgrades in their Predators through the BIOS, it would be national geek scandal news.

The one thing you did not mention is a SSD which makes a huge difference from a what acer shipped. With a newer MB, even a $300 investment for the Samsung Pro 950 512 makes sense as it will make an instant noticeable improvement in almost everything compared to a...
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J

Jlowe96

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Jun 15, 2016
41
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I've checked and it has two 6pins and a 2pin, that'll be fine wont it?

So the rx480 should work even with this locked acer MOBO thing?
 
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thor220

thor220

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Dec 15, 2009
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There are other people with the same mobo that run aftermarket cards.

http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2500431/gtx-960-card-work-acer-predator-g3620.html
http://community.acer.com/t5/Predator-Desktops/Regarding-Acer-Predator-G3-605-Graphics-Card-Upgrade-Thank-You/td-p/322686
 
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demoth

demoth

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Jun 4, 2016
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Your PSU is generic so there is no way to predict what happens. Regardless, you want to wait another few weeks and avoid reference RX 480s in which case we will know more about the GTX 1060 which may be priced the same and more powerful. Your motherboard is the Intel B75 Express which is a good non-overclocking MB and should take any current aftermarket card. If Acer is in fact disabling card upgrades in their Predators through the BIOS, it would be national geek scandal news.

The one thing you did not mention is a SSD which makes a huge difference from a what acer shipped. With a newer MB, even a $300 investment for the Samsung Pro 950 512 makes sense as it will make an instant noticeable improvement in almost everything compared to a standard 550 read/write.
 
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Solution
J

Jlowe96

Commendable
Jun 15, 2016
41
0
1,540


Hadn't even heard about the 1060, but I won't be ordering a card until around the 20th July, due to vacation. But thanks for the tip I'll have to take a look when it's released. Ok I'm glad to hear about the motherboard thing.

Oh you're right I forgot about memory! My system has 2x 1tb hhd. I have looked into ssd before, and would definitely like to upgrade to one, perhaps I'll look into after upgrading my GPu, mainly due to funds that I'm putting it off for now, but thanks.
 
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demoth

demoth

Commendable
Jun 4, 2016
103
0
1,710
Don't mistake what I am saying by the way about that $350 SSD cost on the most cutting edge component on market now. For you specifically, your motherboard can't support a Samsung 950 Pro connection, nor would most justify the current cost. You are, however, needing some kind of SSD boot drive/current game drive. Considering 500 read/500 write SSDs are around $35 for a 120 and $60 for 240/256GB, it is your cheapest upgrade and almost equal to getting rid of that GT 645 for gaming. If you plan on staying with a 1K monitor over the next year(s), a cheaper card (RX 470?) and a cheap SSD may make more sense for the dollar than a 8 gig RX 480 (for you). Both the current 1 TBs can be used for backup or on some MBs, even a secure raid backup with the SSD as primary boot.
 
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