MSI 660ti OC PE in GA-Z68A-D3-B3

[Pink_Daisy]

The description on New Egg states that this card requires PCIE 3.0 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127696)

The description of my motherboard (Gigabyte GA-Z68A-D3-B3) by its manufacturer states that:

1 x PCI Express x16 slot, running at x16 (PCIEX16) (http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3863#sp)

New Egg states the Motherboard has: PCI Express 2.0 x16: 2 (x16, x4) (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128501)

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So my question is: Will the 660 ti work in my machine?

If so, Is it more complex (with regard to jumpers, settings, bios, anything) than simply physically unplugging the 560ti and then connecting the 660ti?

If not, Will there actually be a 10-20% performance increase or will the PCIE 2.0 hamper it?

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The long and short is: I had been looking at the card and then my buddy said he'd buy the 560ti off me. So the upgrade to the 660ti is potentially only about $200.

I just don't want to buy something that won't work/won't actually be an improvement because my motherboard is a year or so old.

Thanks.

 

[Pink_Daisy]

Thank you for the response.

As the Motherboard/Graphics Card are compatible then I'm assuming its as easy as physically removing one and putting in another before installing drivers.

If no one else disagrees I think I'm set then. Thanks again.

 

[determinologyz]

It doesn't require PCI-e 3.0. PCI-e is backwards compatible both ways (a 3.0 slot works with a 2.0 card, a 3.0 card works in a 2.0 slot). There's no performance loss for running at PCI-e 2.0 x16.

The upgrade is worth it... the 660ti is a LOT faster than the 560ti.

Bear in mind that the 7950 is a bit better of a card overall around the $300 mark, but if you just want to stick to Nvidia, it's probably worth the upgrade for 1080p gaming.

Both cards 7950 and the 660 Ti trade blows but as BigMack said if you want to stick with nvidia you should buy the 660 Ti. Also i own the card as well and its awesome for 1080p gaming

 

[Pink_Daisy]

Best answer selected by Pink_Daisy.