Help with changing to a new graphics card

[millsyxx]

My System:
CPU: Intel i5 4570 3.2ghz
Graphics Card: Gainward GeForce GTX 760 2GB
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87M-D3HP
PSU: 500W (Unsure of what type of PSU)
Ram: 8GB

Hey guys, I have recently been considering to upgrade to a GeForce GTX 970 as I am worried my 760 wont go up well against new graphically demanding games for next year and some (I havent played) from this year. So if I was to upgrade to a new 970 would it be able to like fit on my motherboard (as specified above) and would I have to change my PSU? And also, will a 760 be good for games next year as I want to run games at medium to high settings (with optimal frame rates such as 60fps). And would the 970 be a worthy graphics card to upgrade to if I want to play games at high settings in the coming year(s)

Thanks

 

[BadActor]

The GTX 970 would make a huge difference in FPS and at higher settings, but it may require a different PSU. Can you look at the sticker and find the name and model number of your PSU?

 

[smorizio]

read about the newer 960ti nvidia is dropping it soon to battle the newer amd cards at the 250.00 price point. the 960ti from leak specks is a slightly slower 970 gpu with the same gpu chip on it at 170w of power. look at the model of the power supply and it 12v rail if it an older unit with two rails look for a good 650w unit. also keep an eye out on the newer pascal leaks. the gpu chip has tapped out and is going to retail in 2016.

 

[ShadyHamster]

First off, we really need to know the make and model of your PSU.
The card will fit in the motherboard, no problems there, it's the case you really have to worry about, is there enough clearance? Are the HDD cages going to be in the way?
A 970 will be a great upgrade over a 760, a 970 will let you run most on high-ultra at 1080p with decent fps.

=on&prod[7342]=on]http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/2015-vga-charts/compare,3681.html?prod[7367]=on&prod[7342]=on
The link might not work properly, but you should see around 50% increase in fps in most games at 1080p
The comparison is worst case 970 vs best 760.

Edit: Yep link didn't work...

 

[thomagron]

Hi!

so ehm.. lets have a look at the game Just Cause 3 OK?

this is your pc with Just cause 3 (recommended specs):
https://gyazo.com/d19b9b6b5aa050e57b9107e05c170d60

now, as you can see, the GPU is not good enough.
you still will be able to play on medium settings.

so, if we switch your gpu for an 970 you will get this:
https://gyazo.com/99eedff00a0f5f94e7b1e33ba9d90edc

that is almost double the gpu power. and you will be able to play on high/ultra

to the question,
is it worth? i'd say, yeah.
is 500W psu enough? should be.
other upgrades? think about the cpu in the future? for now it will do.

 

[madmatt30]

Power consumption between the 760 & 970 is pretty much identical so if you've been running the 760 as long as you don't go for one of the mentally over clocked models you'll be fine.
Just make sure you've got the right connectors on your PSU.

Your 760 is likely a twin 6 pin.
The various 970's come with various connectors, some are single 8 pin, some twin 6 pin , some 6+8 pin.

 

[millsyxx]

The GTX 970 would make a huge difference in FPS and at higher settings, but it may require a different PSU. Can you look at the sticker and find the name and model number of your PSU?

My PSU was included with the case and yes they aren't the best PSU's but I have had no problems with it since I first got my PC. The PSU is a Cooler Master RS-500-PCAR-13

 

[BadActor]

500 watt is the recommended minimum wattage for a GTX 970. If it doesn't have the required connectors, I would replace it with a better PSU. Using anything less than the 970 wouldn't be much of an upgrade over what you have now.

 

[millsyxx]

Hi!

so ehm.. lets have a look at the game Just Cause 3 OK?

this is your pc with Just cause 3 (recommended specs):
https://gyazo.com/d19b9b6b5aa050e57b9107e05c170d60

now, as you can see, the GPU is not good enough.
you still will be able to play on medium settings.

so, if we switch your gpu for an 970 you will get this:
https://gyazo.com/99eedff00a0f5f94e7b1e33ba9d90edc

that is almost double the gpu power. and you will be able to play on high/ultra

to the question,
is it worth? i'd say, yeah.
is 500W psu enough? should be.
other upgrades? think about the cpu in the future? for now it will do.

Okay that was a real big help, but would my 760 be decent for games next year as in would I be able to run them at medium-high settings with optimal fps (60fps ect.)

 

[millsyxx]

500 watt is the recommended minimum wattage for a GTX 970. If it doesn't have the required connectors, I would replace it with a better PSU. Using anything less than the 970 wouldn't be much of an upgrade over what you have now.

If my PSU does have the right connectors I'll keep it when I get a 970, but will my PSU be fine handling a new 970? It has been fine with my 760 for around 2 years

 

[BadActor]

It's really not the best quality. I don't think I would use it, but that's up to you. I found a review of it which shows it does actually produce 500 watts (many cheap PSU's don't put out their advertised wattage) so it will probably be OK for awhile, but you should really think about replacing it.

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/cooler-master-extreme-power-plus-500-w-power-supply-review/10/

 

[thomagron]

Hi!

so ehm.. lets have a look at the game Just Cause 3 OK?

this is your pc with Just cause 3 (recommended specs):
https://gyazo.com/d19b9b6b5aa050e57b9107e05c170d60

now, as you can see, the GPU is not good enough.
you still will be able to play on medium settings.

so, if we switch your gpu for an 970 you will get this:
https://gyazo.com/99eedff00a0f5f94e7b1e33ba9d90edc

that is almost double the gpu power. and you will be able to play on high/ultra

to the question,
is it worth? i'd say, yeah.
is 500W psu enough? should be.
other upgrades? think about the cpu in the future? for now it will do.

Okay that was a real big help, but would my 760 be decent for games next year as in would I be able to run them at medium-high settings with optimal fps (60fps ect.)

i dont think 60 fps is possible on medium-high. i'd say 30 fps on medium/high
you will be able to play games next year. lets look at Far Cry Primal. you are well over the minimum requirements. but if youu look at the recommeded, your gpu is not enough. i'd say you still will be able to play it on high. (if you use 1920x1080 screen).
but if you want to play all ultra 60fps go for an 970

really it depends on what you want, do you want all games to run smooth and dont worry about things and spend 300$ go for it.

for the psu. it should power an 970, you wont be able to overclock and stuff. to be sure, think about getting a new one when you can 😛