GPU options for a MSI 970A-G46 (MS-7693)?

[416Tricks]

Hello all,

I am planning on building a brand new gaming rig next year. However I need a new GPU to tide me over until then. I am currently running:

MSI 970A-G46
AMD FX-8350
AMD Radeon R9 270x
AMD Radeon R9 270x (crossfired)
8 Gigs Ram Hyper X
A disc drive and an SSD

My two AMD Radeon R9 270x just aren't cutting it anymore. I am into games like Star Citizen, Arma 3, and DayZ. So I need something with some punch, but I don't want to break the bank too much. Like I said, I am building a new rig next year. I plan to sell the two AMD Radeon R9 270x afterwards if anyone even wants to buy them...

My question can I switch to an Nvidia card? I don't really like AMD anymore, I find most games are more compatible with Nvidia... Thanks everyone, eager to see my options!

 

[Gamerboy999]

Yes of course you can switch to a Nvidia card, since your into games like star citizen i'd recommend getting 970 or above if your looking to buy the parts soon, however the new pascal GPU's from Nvidia are rumoured to be coming out so maybe a pair of those would fit you better as your looking to upgrade next year.

I would say dont upgrade your current rig with a whole new build just around the corner, save your money and spend it on your new rig.

 

[416Tricks]

So when you say 970, do you mean a GeForce GTX 970 4GB? Should I choose the MSI version to keep with my mobo?

 

[Gamerboy999]

So when you say 970, do you mean a GeForce GTX 970 4GB? Should I choose the MSI version to keep with my mobo?

Yep, you dont need a MSI one you could have any brand but i recommend Asus as a personal favourite.

 

[416Tricks]

Bit of a noob here obviously, what should I be watching for in terms of compatibility?

 

[Gamerboy999]

Bit of a noob here obviously, what should I be watching for in terms of compatibility?

Having different brands in your pc doesn't matter except for if you wanted 2 GPU's then you'd need the exact same model

if you wanted to upgrade the CPU and or RAM then you would need the correct CPU to fit your motherboards socket and RAM to fit your DDR3 socket.

 

[416Tricks]

Which PCI Express do I need and I am guessing I need an AMD chipset?

 

[Gamerboy999]

Which PCI Express do I need and I am guessing I need an AMD chipset?

Your Motherboard has 2 PCI-E slots on it, both of which are being used by your current GPU's, they can easily be taken out and replaced by any other GPU either Nvidia or AMD.

 

[416Tricks]

thank you

 

[416Tricks]

When looking online I only see that card being offered with PCI Express 3.0, will my board support that?

 

[TheConsiderateIlliterate]

I second the notion of not getting another GPU with a brand new build around the corner. Pascal and Polaris (AMD) are just around the corner. AMD's Zen should be out by then and who knows what Intel will have in store.

Now is the perfect time to wait it out in my opinion.

 

[416Tricks]

I can't play any of my games at a decent graphics level, gaming is my hobby. can't wait a year without playing, spending $400 right now isn't going to kill me. I just need something to hold me over.

 

[Gamerboy999]

When looking online I only see that card being offered with PCI Express 3.0, will my board support that?

Your board uses PCI-E 2.0 which has no difference to PCI-E 3.0 only a little more bandwidth so yes your board will support it.

 

[416Tricks]

This is the one I am looking at now:

http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=43_1200_557_559&item_id=079855

 

[Gamerboy999]

This is the one I am looking at now:

http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=43_1200_557_559&item_id=079855

Yep that one looks good, just ensure that your power supply has the correct connectors to connect it. It takes 1, 6 pin PCI-E connector and 1, 6+2 PCI-E connector and from my knowledge your current GPU's also take 2, 6 pin PCI-E connectors so you should be good.

edit: the 970 takes one 6 pin and one 6+2 pin so you'd need to use an adapter to connect its power.