Need help with GPU upgrade, Motherboard compatible and PSU. please?

[Samsote]

Okay so i currently got a ADM Radeon HD 6450 GPU and think its highly time for an upgrade. However i have never upgraded, or built any computer before and this is all very confusing.

The GPU i want is the Gainward GeForce GTX 760 2GB PhysX CUDA
Now this card requiers me to have.

• PCI Express-compliant motherboard with one dual-width x16 graphics slot
• 6-pin + 6-pin PCI Express supplementary power connectors
• Minimum 500W or greater system power supply (with a minimum 12V current rating of 30A)

Motherboard
So the first question is, Is my motherboard PCI Express-Compliant?
I think it would be as CPU-Z Says my Graphics Interface Version is PCI-Express.
But it also states that it needs to be Dual-width x16 graphics slot, and I'm not sure about that.

Power Suply Unit
And then theres the whole PSU deal. Im pretty sure that i will HAVE to get a new PSU to get this thing to work.
My reasoning behind this is.
I cant seem to find any 6pin power connectors at all.
My 12V rating is 20A when it needs to be 30A.
And I'm not sure if 500W is enough with all the other parts using power.

So I've been looking at the Corsair CX 500M, 500W PSU.
Is the 500W enough? or should i go with something like the 600W or the 750W?

Sorry about the long post but i wanted to give you all the information I could think of.
I've attached all the CPU-Z Information and a couple of pictures of my computer in the hopes that this would be enough.

This is all very scary, but I can't stand the 6450 anymore, there isnt a single game i can play without beeing on the Lowest graphics with a FPS of around 15-20

So just to recap my questions,
Will the gtx 760 work?
Should i get the corsair CX 500W psu?

Thank you all in advance

 

[BarbaricSoul]

The GTX760 and the CX 500 should work with your system without a issue.

 

[micropage7]

500 watts is ok but i prefer more wattage, like 650 watts or more since it has more power if you wanna add something, like hdd or like that

 

[Flogger23m]

Your PSU is fine with a single GPU and some light overclocking. You will be able to handle a bunch of fans and a few drives (2-4 HDD/SSDs) just fine. Quality PSUs are what is important; Corsair generally makes good PSUs.

 

[FreedomEclipse]

Your PSU is fine with a single GPU and some light overclocking. You will be able to handle a bunch of fans and a few drives (2-4 HDD/SSDs) just fine. Quality PSUs are what is important; Corsair generally makes good PSUs.

NEGATIVE

His current PSU is an ACE 500w BR and NOT Capable of powering a more powerful GPU, 2-4HDDs and light overclocking. The only thing ACE PSUs are good for is scrap metal. Would not recommend. Get a decent 550 or 650w from Corsair or Enermax, Enermax are slightly overpriced but they are BIG on quality and make some of the best PSUs out there. Antec is another good brand but be weary as I and a few other members on the forums have had a few of their units fail on us in the past.

As always - make sure your case has decent airflow - If theres a position to mount a 120mm fan on the side panel then do it.

and for the love of god get a can of compressed air and clear the dust out of that disgusting heatsink you hobo.

 

[BiggieShady]

Minimum 500W or greater system power supply (with a minimum 12V current rating of 30A)

Your PSU can push up to 20 Amps on 12 V rail ... sorry, you need a new PSU

 

[Samsote]

View attachment 53517

Your PSU can push up to 20 Amps on 12 V rail ... sorry, you need a new PSU

Yeah thats what i thought thanks though

 

[pr0fessor]

As long you don't wanna get a SLI system of 2 gpus 500 Watt is more then enough. Even with two of 760 GTXs you wouldn't use more than 500 Watt, I bet. But you had not enough pci-express connectors.

 

[BiggieShady]

It's not about total wattage: 12 V rail with max 20 A gives
P = I * U
P = 20 A * 12 V = 240 W
That PSU is not new and GTX 760 can peak up to 220 W
It would be playing it close even if that was a quality PSU.

 

[thebluebumblebee]

I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but:
A GTX 760 will be over kill for your system. (what that means is that you will be disappointed by the net performance improvement) A FX 4100 is basically a dual core CPU. These systems with the 760G motherboards and FX 4100 CPU's are good for running WOW, but that's about it. Consider selling your system and starting over if you are serious about gaming. Otherwise, GTX 650 Ti (not boost) or HD 7770. And yes, you still need to replace your PSU, but a quality 380 to 430 watt unit would do. (I've run a similar watt CPU and a GTX 460 (which draws twice the wattage) on a Seasonic 380 watt PSU without problems)
Go with the PSU and GTX 760 upgrade if it is part of a larger, long range strategy that will include replacing the motherboard and CPU.
32GB of RAM? Do you use a RAMdisk?
Your system is like a VW Bug, and you are trying to make it go 200 MPH.

 

[Flogger23m]

Sorry, read that as he already had a Corsair CX500. In that case you do need a new PSU Samsote. If you're spending the money I would go for a 750, and if money is really an issue, a 650 should be only a bit more than a 500/550.

 

[thebluebumblebee]

Sorry, read that as he already had a Corsair CX500. In that case you do need a new PSU Samsote. If you're spending the money I would go for a 750, and if money is really an issue, a 650 should be only a bit more than a 500/550.

Please justify why he needs a 750 watt PSU. Some numbers please. Modern video cards are incredibly power efficient. Show me.

 

[Samsote]

I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but:
A GTX 760 will be over kill for your system. (what that means is that you will be disappointed by the net performance improvement) A FX 4100 is basically a dual core CPU. These systems with the 760G motherboards and FX 4100 CPU's are good for running WOW, but that's about it. Consider selling your system and starting over if you are serious about gaming. Otherwise, GTX 650 Ti (not boost) or HD 7770. And yes, you still need to replace your PSU, but a quality 380 to 430 watt unit would do. (I've run a similar watt CPU and a GTX 460 (which draws twice the wattage) on a Seasonic 380 watt PSU without problems)
Go with the PSU and GTX 760 upgrade if it is part of a larger, long range strategy that will include replacing the motherboard and CPU.
32GB of RAM? Do you use a RAMdisk?
Your system is like a VW Bug, and you are trying to make it go 200 MPH.

First i would like to answer your question, Do i use a RAMdisk. and no, i do not. I have 32gb of native ram installed mostly for video editing and 3D animation rendering purposes.

I am not super serious about gameing, i dont need to run every game on ULTRA grafics with 120 FPS. I would just like to be able to play without the constant lag and low fps and at a decent graphic setting.
For example the game "The Stanley Parable" I can run at 20 fps when at the lowest graphics options.

I do not have a big budget at the moment, but in the future i would probably upgrade both the cpu and the motherboard. I dont really see what the problem is with the motherboard though?

Also i would like to ask you should i go with the 500w crosair or the 650?

I thank you for all your input, as this is all VERY new to me

 

[thebluebumblebee]

First, your motherboard. The 760g is basically 2008 technology. No SATA III, no native USB3, and FX processors are not even officially supported.
Here's my quick and dirty rule for sizing PSU's for lower end systems. Take the rated CPU wattage plus the maximum wattage on W1zzard's review and double it. For your CPU (95 watts) + GTX760 (180 watts) = 275 watts x2=550 watts. If you were to measure the actual power usage of your system with a GTX 760, I would be stunned if it went over 300 watts. (that's the system w/o the monitor and speakers) If you just follow their recommendation of 500 watts with a 30A rail, you will be fine. The CX500M has a single rail rated at 38A so it would be fine.
I'm still going to stick by my guns and say that a GTX 760 is too much GPU for your CPU. Look at this chart of the performance of the GTX 650 Ti and you will see how it compares to your 6450.

 

[Flogger23m]

Please justify why he needs a 750 watt PSU. Some numbers please. Modern video cards are incredibly power efficient. Show me.

The concept is commonly referred to as "bang for your buck". I paid ~$70 for a 650 watt Antec Earthwatts PSU two years ago. A quality 500 watt PSU will typically go for $50 or so. If you're spending the money you may as well spend a bit more for future expansion if needed.

As an example, if you want to deal with main in rebates, $40 gets you a 500:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027

Where as $10 gets you a $600:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139048

 

[thebluebumblebee]

The concept is commonly referred to as "bang for your buck". I paid ~$70 for a 650 watt Antec Earthwatts PSU two years ago. A quality 500 watt PSU will typically go for $50 or so. If you're spending the money you may as well spend a bit more for future expansion if needed.

As an example, if you want to deal with main in rebates, $40 gets you a 500:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027

Where as $10 gets you a $600:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139048

Ok, but I also want to point out that PSU's are most efficient at 50-75% of rated load. I'm trying to size the PSU to be in that "sweet" area.

 

[Bladedrummer]

I'll chip in here about the PSU. You should get a PSU that is well above your calculated load for a number of reasons: it will last a lot longer, run a lot cooler which is very important, it will have lower ripple and noise at lower loads which is good for your components. Furthermore, if you load your PSU almost to full capacity it doesn't run nearly as efficiently as it does under light load.

Even with two of 760 GTXs you wouldn't use more than 500 Watt, I bet.

You would probably lose that bet. The power draw of two 760s in SLI is roughly 478 watts. A 500 watt PSU would not be able to handle them and all the other components, and we're not even talking overclocking.

All this being said, I would maybe go for the GTX 760, a new power supply and start saving money for a completely new build. When the time comes, you can reuse all the new stuff and just get what you're missing.

 

[thebluebumblebee]

I'll chip in here about the PSU. You should get a PSU that is well above your calculated load for a number of reasons: it will last a lot longer, run a lot cooler which is very important, it will have lower ripple and noise at lower loads which is good for your components. Furthermore, if you load your PSU almost to full capacity it doesn't run nearly as efficiently as it does under light load.


You would probably lose that bet. The power draw of two 760s in SLI is roughly 478 watts. A 500 watt PSU would not be able to handle them and all the other components, and we're not even talking overclocking.

All this being said, I would maybe go for the GTX 760, a new power supply and start saving money for a completely new build. When the time comes, you can reuse all the new stuff and just get what you're missing.

" Furmark Stability Test at 1280x1024, 0xAA. This results in a very high no-game power-consumption that can typically be reached only with stress-testing applications." Don't base purchasing choices on Furmark power draw unless you like to push your system to its limits.
That link that you provided show 478 watts for the entire system WHILE running Furmark. They actually state that the SLI GTX 760's take 427 watts, and again, while running Furmark. Right here on TPU, W1zzard has tested several GTX 760's and the cards that you linked to pull 165 watts each (and his results are from measurements, not calculations) determined by: "Crysis 2 at 1920x1080, Extreme profile, representing a typical gaming power draw. Highest single reading during the test." That's only 330 watts. pr0fessor will win that bet.

 

[Bladedrummer]

Generally speaking, I agree with you, you make good points. On the other hand, we were talking about SLI and not single card (not sure you can just take single card results and add), and those results are all without OCing. You very well know how much more power gets drawn with OCing in the picture.

I would much rather play it safe and get a bigger PSU rather than having that thing running at such load all the time. It's not a huge price difference, and well worth the peace of mind.

I will concede that I do like to push my systems to their limits and I would feel uncomfortable having such small wattage margin.

 

[thebluebumblebee]

We're getting off subject. The OP has not expressed interest in SLI or OC'ing.