HELP! Is my new GTX 1060 incompatible with my Mobo?

[CauseandEffect]

I was really excited when I got my new GPU yesterday - a Gigabyte GTX 1060 Windforce 6GB. Really wanted to upgrade my old Radeon 7750, and needed a new GPU with a 6 pin connector. I really did not anticipate any incompatibility issue with my motherboard - I am installing this in an older HP pre-built system which was a decent gaming computer when I bought it. I can still run the newest games with my current GPU but on low and very low settings - but it was time for an upgrade!

My system specs:
AMD FX-8150 8 core @ 3.2 GHz
M3970AM-HP (Angelica) Motherboard with newest revision v7.16 BIOS ***
Windows 7 (64 bit)
10 GB DDR3 RAM
600 W PSU

I uninstalled the old Radeon drivers (booted into safe mode and used Display Driver Uninstaller), I do not have integrated graphics. Then I shut down the machine, and took all necessary precautions installing the new GTX 1060. When I rebooted the system starts up and goes to the BIOS splash screen (HP in my case) and then just stays there... I cannot enter the BIOS. I can hit escape which brings up system information, but if I try to hit 'ESC' from there it doesn't go back to the original splash screen it just continues displaying the system info. The GPU fans are whirring so I know it is getting enough power. And that's it... it doesn't freeze. The display is normal. But I cannot enter the BIOS and the OS won't load.

I shut it down via the power button, and reinstalled the old GPU and everything booted up normally. No problems except now I uninstalled all the Radeon drivers. I made sure I had the newest revision of my HP BIOS, which I did. Apparently this motherboard's last BIOS revision was 5 years ago... 4/5/2012... The version is 7.16... I am starting to think this is my problem - simply because I do not have version 8 BIOS? Is this a UEFI incompatibility issue??? I have searched but I cannot find if my specific GTX 1060 is Legacy compatible or UEFI only?

After scouring for people having similar problems, I decided to adjust the boot options in my BIOS to boot in legacy mode and see if that resolved the issue, but it did not. Same thing - stuck on the splash screen... Again reinstalling the old GPU makes everything boot up again normally... I re-enabled secure boot and disable legacy boot from the BIOS, and that is where I am at right now. I put a support ticket into Gigabyte but it is going into the weekend and I am not sure if or when I might expect a response. I also posted on the gigabyte troubleshooting forums before I realized the problem is most likely my motherboard. I really have no experience with Gigabyte products or support - I only chose this specific 6GB model because it only required a 6 pin connector and had dual fans compared to the EVGA and MSI versions. I also might be screwed on getting a refund because I purchased from Newegg...

I'm feeling pretty bummed about this right now... In all the research I did before ordering the new GPU it looked like my system was going to have no problems with the GTX 1060. It didn't even cross my mind that the motherboard could have been too outdated. Now i might be stuck with a GPU I can't run and out $250 at the same time...

If the problem really is that I have version 7 BIOS, is there any fix or work-around that will enable my current system to run the GTX 1060? I am having a lot of trouble finding any info about compatibility of my motherboard for the GTX 1060. I am also not expecting any help from HP on this issue...

I know the obvious answer might be that I need a new system, but I really was not interested in building a new machine or spending that amount of money at this time. I thought I would finally spend $250 on a long overdue upgrade (skipped the 900 series) plug it in and finally be able to turn up my settings on some of the newer games... I guess it isn't that simple anymore...

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

It's the incompatible BIOS , IT WON'T RUN A 1060.

 

[CauseandEffect]

It's the incompatible BIOS , IT WON'T RUN A 1060.

So there is no fix? From what I'm seeing now I will probably have the same problem with any 900 series GPUs too?

According to CPU-Z the HP branded motherboard is manufactured by Gigabyte. Could there be a BIOS revision through gigabyte that might be newer than through HP? Would updated BIOS even fix this problem?

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Sometimes it's the 700-1000 SERIES.

On some of these older pre-builts from DELL and HP they just won't run due to incompatible BIOS.

 

[CauseandEffect]

So there is no work around? I really don't wanna have to replace the motherboard... But would another motherboard with the same chipset/socket have the same problem? I wonder if my processor is too outdated to find a newer motherboard - would it have a version 8 BIOS revision and be able to run a 1060?

I mean even by today's standards this machine is still capable of running new games with decent frames, but I really have to crank the settings down. It was always capable of running Skyrim on maxed settings...

Is there nothing else I can do with what I have as far as being able to run the GTX 1060?

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

When it comes to this , not much you can do but get into an aftermarket setup.

 

[sizzling]

Unfortunately I agree, nothing you can do. This is one of the problems with trying to upgrade pc's from places like Dell & HP, they just are not designed for it or likely designed to prevent it.

 

[CauseandEffect]

Well then that is the last pre-built desktop system I ever buy then... I mean this has been a solid and reliable computer and has met all my needs for years. So much so that I think it might continue to meet my needs for a while longer... Already out $250 on the video card - having a fancy new GPU does not justify me spending $500 or more to build a complete machine right now... What a bummer...

I really hope Newegg will take it back but I'm not holding my breath...

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

You can try , newegg is a great retailer , hopefully they let you.

 

[CauseandEffect]

Just so people know - Newegg initially told me there was nothing they could do because the GPU was a non-refundable item. I pressed them and the best they offered was an RMA for Newegg credit, minus return shipping and a 15% restocking fee.

I am still weighing my options - new motherboard for current CPU or budget build around the 1060? If none of that will work I guess I'll just return it and be out $50 (and the rest in Newegg credit) instead of being out the entire $250 and having to resell an open GTX 1060...