Upgrading from GTX 680 to GTX 970 - help please

andy85wsm

andy85wsm

andy85wsm

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Hey all,

I made a thread recently about potentially buying a new computer but someone I know has kindly said they'd donate me a GTX 970 to replace my GTX 680 so I think I can put off buying a whole new system while I pray GPUs come down in price.

I'd just like some help on whether I can straight swap the cards out with my current hardware including mobo etc.

This is what I have currently

PSU = Antec HCG 750
MOBO = Gigabyte GA-Z77-D3H
RAM = 8GB
CPU = i7-3770 (k version I think)
128GB SSD - Not sure on make
2TB HDD

Couple of questions:

  • Can I take the GTX 680 out and simply slot the 970 without further upgrades?
  • Will any of my other hardware hold the card back? I do some streaming (not gaming, just FPL stuff for now although I'd like to do gaming streams in the future potentially), and some photoshop / video editing (basic). Current PC handles the editing just fine so should be okay with that
  • Are there any good value upgrades I can make to improve the system as it is? I'm hoping the CPU is good for a while longer but should I perhaps look at getting more RAM? Currently have 8gb (2 x 4gb sticks)
  • Game wise I'm really into PUBG right now so that's my main game I'll be looking to play. Only at 1080p. I have a SAMSUNG S27A750D Black 27" 2ms currently. Probably needs an upgrade but it does okay for now.
Thanks for any assistance!
 
Is your CPU overclocked? If not and you do have the 'K' CPU then depending on the cooler you have I'd clock it, easy upgrade for free, if you have a rubbish cooler then they are a fairly cheap upgrade to make :)
 
Space Monkey said:
Another 8GB would be good, and also the card will drop in and replace easily as well :)
Click to expand...

Thanks - so no need to change anything other than to just put the card in and it'll be fine for that motherboard? That's good to know.

Can I simply go and buy 2 more 4gb sticks, or one more 8gb? Or do I need to buy 2 of the same 8gb sticks brand new?

Do you have any recommendations on what to go for RAM wise?

I've never overclocked before so not sure how to do that but I can look into it. How easy is it to break something? :)

Cooling wise I did buy a separate cooler about a year ago because my CPU was getting extremely hot (80-90 degrees) whereas now it's around 40-60. I can't remember the exact model but it's one of the cheaper end (25 ish quid) cooler masters.
 
andy85wsm said:
Thanks - so no need to change anything other than to just put the card in and it'll be fine for that motherboard? That's good to know.

Can I simply go and buy 2 more 4gb sticks, or one more 8gb? Or do I need to buy 2 of the same 8gb sticks brand new?

Do you have any recommendations on what to go for RAM wise?

I've never overclocked before so not sure how to do that but I can look into it. How easy is it to break something? :)

Cooling wise I did buy a separate cooler about a year ago because my CPU was getting extremely hot (80-90 degrees) whereas now it's around 40-60. I can't remember the exact model but it's one of the cheaper end (25 ish quid) cooler masters.
Click to expand...

RAM should always go in pairs so you can either get another 2x4GB, or just replace it all for 2x8GB, the latter option would put less strain on the CPU/Motherboard in relation to overclocking but not a huge deal if you go with 4 sticks :)

Ideally the RAM should be the same make & model (speed & timings etc...) but if you can't and say for example buy a set that's faster than your current set, the faster set will be down clocked by your motherboard to match the speed of the slower stuff.

Overclocking on the older boards is fairly easy, as long as you take it slowly and step by step, make a post in the overclocking sub-forum with your PC setup and ask for help with overclocking the CPU, you'll get some help from others that have good experience with this :)

Your CPU cooler may be enough (try and find the model to help with advice for overclocking) if not they'll make a suggestion on what to get :)

What I'd personally do when just before you take out your old GPU is uninstall the current GPU drivers, shut down the PC, fit the new card, switch PC back on and then re-install the correct new driver for the 970 :)
 
Thanks! I'm happy to buy new regarding the RAM. Is there anything you'd recommend for my motherboard for 16gb? Is 32gb overkill? Does it have to be DDR3?
 
32GB for your current uses would be overkill, and you're using DDR3 aren't you? When you next do a full upgrade you'll need at least DDR4 so 16GB will be more than enough for now :)

I'll have a look at the RAM and post back any recs in a bit :)
 
andy85wsm said:
Sorry for the questions.

Would there be many benefits from opting for 16gb RAM at 2133 or 2400 Mhz instead of the 1866?
Click to expand...
If you can get good quality RAM and at a similar price, then maybe worth going for but if it's a lot more money and/or not as good quality then I wouldn't worry :)

What's the speed of your current RAM?
 
The board may only "officially" support up to 1600 but should be absolutely fine at 1866. There are 2400 kits listed as compatible with that board so I wouldn't worry.

Just remember to enable XMP in the BIOS for your new memory and clear the CMOS in case your new RAM doesn't like the old settings and the board won't boot (happened to me).
 
The 1866MHz RAM I listed originally is the same price, so if your board doesn't take the full speed, they'll down clock to 1600MHz so nothing to lose :)
 
Excellent - thanks both!

Apologies for all the questions, just don't want it to go wrong!

In good news I installed the 970 with relatively few issues - a bit of stress when it didn't work first time but a few bios changes / flashing and it's now working.

PUBG now being played on high instead of low and the noise from the GPU is almost non-existent. With the 680 even on low it sounded like there were 50 fans blowing! :)
 
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