How to tell if a graphics card is compatible with a motherboard?

[Protectereli]

I'm running a GA-MA770T-UD3P motherboard, i want to buy the geforce 660 ti graphics card, will it work? if not what would be a good card to use with this motherboard? Here is a link to the motherboards specs http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3534#sp

Also what proccessor would be an upgrade for me that would work? Im using a AMD Athlon(tm) II X2 245 Processor now, all help appreciated.

 

[rolli59]

It will work since the board has PCIe X16 slot! Phenom II 955/965BE for upgrade.

 

[digdog]

all PCIe card will work with any PCIe board; i also recommend what rolli said.

 

[Bejusek]

This motherboard has a PCI-Express 2.0 slot. This means that you can use any graphics card on the market designed for PCI-Express and it will work.

As for the CPU, probably the best choice is Phenom II x6 1100T or Phenom II x4 965 black edition. Go with x6 (6-cores) if you do some rendering or video animation and encoding. X4 offers similar performance in gaming. Before installing new CPU make sure you updated the BIOS to revision that supports it. List of required BIOS per cpu is available on gigabyte site. Make sure to select proper mainboard revision.

Bear in mind, that changing your gpu to 660ti and cpu to phenom x4 or especially x6 will require a lot more power than your current configuration. Make sure your PSU is ready for that. More power draw = more heat output, so if you plan on OC get some decent cpu air cooler.

Also, your current athlon cpu will be a bottleneck in your system when you install 660ti.

 

[Protectereli]

Bejusek, if i were to upgrade to the phenom II x4 965 CPU would i still have the bottlenecking problem with the graphics card?

 

[Protectereli]

Thank you for all the answers by the way!

 

[Protectereli]

I also have a 700 watt PSU, im sure this will be more than sufficient for the new card.

 

[rolli59]

Get an aftermarket cooler and overclock the 965BE and you will not have any bottleneck.

 

[Bejusek]

Bejusek, if i were to upgrade to the phenom II x4 965 CPU would i still have the bottlenecking problem with the graphics card?

No. It's quite a powerful cpu.

 

[clutchc]

If it fits the slot, it is compatible.

 

[Protectereli]

Best answer selected by Protectereli.