Gtx 970 & motherboard compatibility

[Sezanmk]

Hey guys i am going to get a new msi gtx 970 gaming 4g. But i haven't upgraded my motherboard in a while. It's the same old Gigabyte h55m-s2v. My question is if they both are compatible with each other. I'm building a new rig soon but until then i have to play with that mobo. So help guys, are they compatible with each other? Would i require a BIOS update to run the 970?

 

[spooky2th]

The GTX 970 should work OK with that board. The board has a 2.0 x16 PCIe slot. The 970 is PCIe 3.0 but is fully backwards compatible. I would update the BIOS to the latest version just for peace of mind.

 

[Sezanmk]

The GTX 970 should work OK with that board. The board has a 2.0 x16 PCIe slot. The 970 is PCIe 3.0 but is fully backwards compatible. I would update the BIOS to the latest version just for peace of mind.

I also want to update the motherboard bios but the problem is i lost my driver disk and couldn't find it on the internet either. Think i have to dig a little harder?

 

[spooky2th]

All the newest drivers and Bios' are at the Gigabyte web site for each board.

Here: http://www.gigabyte.us/search/search.aspx?kw=h55m-s2v#pr-1

I never use the disk. I always get the latest drivers and BIOS from the web site. By the time you get the board and disk, most if not all drivers are more than likely updated to better versions. You should check occasionally and keep your drivers and your bios updated.

 

[Sezanmk]

All the newest drivers and Bios' are at the Gigabyte web site for each board.

Here: http://www.gigabyte.us/search/search.aspx?kw=h55m-s2v#pr-1

I never use the disk. I always get the latest drivers and BIOS from the web site. By the time you get the board and disk, most if not all drivers are more than likely updated to better versions. You should check occasionally and keep your drivers and your bios updated.

Can you please explain to me the benefits of updating bios driver? I mean does it add some extra features? I also heard that sometime updating the bios is dangerous, is it true?

 

[spooky2th]

Drivers are updated over time like the updates to windows. Newer versions help the computer run and function better. The same goes with the BIOS which controls the MB.

 

[Sezanmk]

Drivers are updated over time like the updates to windows. Newer versions help the computer run and function better. The same goes with the BIOS which controls the MB.

Thanks man. But one final question, i saw some reviews about people who crashed/destroyed their mobo by trying to update it's bios. Even others say it's risky & they are afraid of losing the mobo each time they update the bios. If that is true, don't you think i should be also worried about it?

 

[spooky2th]

You have a Gigabyte board so you have a dual BIOS. It is safe. Never had the first problem and I have built a lot of comps. It used to be risky with older boards but not so much anymore. The first thing I do when building is set up the BIOS even before windows install. If it is not the latest version, I update it then set it up. Then load windows, then the latest MB drivers from the MB web site.

After a BIOS update or even a reset, you will have to set it up correctly starting with setting optimized defaults then the memory timings & speed and anything else that needs to be set. Get your MB manual out and have fun with it. You can always download the MB manual if needed.

 

[Sezanmk]

You have a Gigabyte board so you have a dual BIOS. It is safe. Never had the first problem and I have built a lot of comps. It used to be risky with older boards but not so much anymore. The first thing I do when building is set up the BIOS even before windows install. If it is not the latest version, I update it then set it up. Then load windows, then the latest MB drivers from the MB web site.

After a BIOS update or even a reset, you will have to set it up correctly starting with setting optimized defaults then the memory timings & speed and anything else that needs to be set. Get your MB manual out and have fun with it. You can always download the MB manual if needed.

I already downloaded my Windows so i'm gonna have to try it with windows installed. Not sure i can do it though since i'm not a expert in Motherboard tweaking. Guess i just have to do it just in case my gpu doesn't work with my mobo. But thanks man you've been really helpful..............

 

[spooky2th]

You should be able to update the board drivers and also flash the BIOS too, all with windows installed. For new builds, I just make sure that the latest BIOS is installed and set up correctly first and foremost. It seems to give me an easier road to follow for installing windows and the board drivers.