Tower video card just died

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leafgreens

Commendable
Jul 18, 2016
3
0
1,510
I have a little HD icon on front showing it's working, power to everything including the fans and peripherals, if I wait a minute and put in my pw everything acts normal. Except monitor finds no signal.

NP, video card. It was a little flaky lately anyhow and luckily I found the receipt for when I purchased it so I have the specs.

HP Pavilion HPE h8xt Series
• Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium [64-bit]
• Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-2600 quad-core processor with Turbo-Boost [up to 3.8GHz, 8MB cache]
• 12GB DDR3-1333MHz SDRAM [3 DIMMs]
• FREE UPGRADE to 1.5TB 7200 rpm SATA 3Gb/s hard drive from 1TB
• 1GB DDR5 Radeon HD 6850 [2 DVI, 2 mini-DP, HDMI. VGA adapter]
• 460W Power supply
• SuperMulti DVD Burner
• Wireless-N LAN card (1x1)
• 15-in-1 memory card reader, 4 USB 2.0 (front), audio, 2 USB (top rear-facing)


I know video cards aren't a universal fit, and that I don't want to overload the power supply. And I might as well grab more RAM if i'm going to the store.

Would a GTX 970 fit and the power supply be able to handle it? If there are 8GB on the market i'd rather upgrade to a 4GB than a 2GB. But even a 950 would be an upgrade from what I am using.

GTX 950 2GB memory ($190)
GTX 960 2GB memory ($210)
GTX 970 4GB memory ($280)
GTX 1070 8GB memory ($450)

(current) 460 W power supply
(if needed) 600 W power supply ($50)

And instead of adding a 4th stick of 4gb ram (thought they had to be added in pairs), can I just swap out my 3 sticks of 4gb for 8gb sticks?

(current) 4GB DDR3 SDRAM 1333 MHZ x3 ($23 for 4th)
(thinking about) 8GB PC3-14900 DDR3 DIMM 1866 MHZ x4 ($130)

Thanks

 
Solution
coozie7
Wait until tomorrow (19/7/2016), the GTX1060 is due for release then, if it's as good as expected and priced as expected it's really going to put the cat amongst the pigeons!
In the meantime, check the PSU leads, it may handle a GTX970 and should easily handle the far more power efficient GTX0160 but there's no harm in checking.
Note, the GTX1060 is likely to be in short supply and read the reviews CAREFULLY before making a decision!
If you really, really, REALLY can't wait, grab a GTX970, it's a brilliant card at 1080 res but I'll again advise you to wait and weigh up the options.
Last point: Nvidia may very well drop prices on the GTX970/980/980Ti further to clear existing stock, don't get buyers remorse because the card you bought...
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coozie7

coozie7

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Jun 2, 2007
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What are you doing with the system?
Do you need to upgrade to a GTX970?
What is your total budget?
If you are gaming, what monitor/s are you using? The big GTX1070 needs at least a 1440 rez or a 144Hz 1080 display to strut its stuff, if you're gaming on a single 60Hz 1080 display either a GTX970 or the upcoming GTX1060 might be a far better fit.
If I was to suggest any memory upgrades I'd go for either a pair of 8Gb modules or a single 4Gb one of the same speed as those installed. Either way, check the new module voltage, not all use the 'safe' 1.5v standard and using 1.65v memory in a MB designed for 1.5v modules can, at least, cause stability issues.
Unless you're doing VERY memory intensive stuff 16Gb is more than enough for any mortal...For now. ;)
 
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L

leafgreens

Commendable
Jul 18, 2016
3
0
1,510
Gaming almost exclusively. Budget is about $700 if I have to spend that much, not planning on the gtx1070 at all - just threw it in there for comparison. It was able to handle any game still except of course Star Citizen, but the last year I've had to stop doing 'max uber awesome settings'.

I am using an HP 2711x 27-inch LED Monitor. HD 1920 X 1080 resolution

And noted, 16 gig of ram is enough for now, 32 would be overkill.
 
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coozie7

coozie7

Champion
Jun 2, 2007
10,015
10
59,215
Wait until tomorrow (19/7/2016), the GTX1060 is due for release then, if it's as good as expected and priced as expected it's really going to put the cat amongst the pigeons!
In the meantime, check the PSU leads, it may handle a GTX970 and should easily handle the far more power efficient GTX0160 but there's no harm in checking.
Note, the GTX1060 is likely to be in short supply and read the reviews CAREFULLY before making a decision!
If you really, really, REALLY can't wait, grab a GTX970, it's a brilliant card at 1080 res but I'll again advise you to wait and weigh up the options.
Last point: Nvidia may very well drop prices on the GTX970/980/980Ti further to clear existing stock, don't get buyers remorse because the card you bought today is $50 cheaper tomorrow, we've all done that, all you can do is make the best deal you can today!
 
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Solution
L

leafgreens

Commendable
Jul 18, 2016
3
0
1,510
Even just for the GTX 970 I see five different types with different stats on them. And I have to pick slot width, interface type, need a low profile bracket with that? Look at the GTX 960 on best buy and they have it in a variety of gpu speeds (?) and it's 2gb 128 bit. On Newegg they have 34 - yes 34 - different types of just GTX 970 cards. Then radeons are slower but have bigger buses so they're actually better?

The more I look the more massively confusing it looks, they used to just be pretty universal. Unplug and slide the old one out, slide the new one in and plug it in, screw the base back on, play with the initial software.

Originally I just wanted to know "Would a GTX 970 fit and the power supply be able to handle it?" but the more I research.. I should just write down all the names on a dart board, put on a blindfold and throw a dart. =)

Asking friends who have built their own in the last year, I ask 3 people and get 3 different answers to things. Even here on tomshardware is a thread where a person says he was told NO other cards would fit the same slot.

And return policies? Replacement only. So if I screw up on any detail i'm out $250.

So frakkin confused now i'm just going to look for the same identical card that died.
 
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