Question Intel Core i7-3770s - will 4-pin be enough ? + question about GPU

[Kid_E]

Hello,

I've the opportunity to get an Intel Core i7-3770s to upgrade a friend's PC (old iMedia with an Intel Core i3-3240).
The thing is that on the motherboard, there is only a 4-pin plug for the CPU.

I looked at the different versions of his PC (Packard Bell iMedia 4875) and it came with 2 possible CPUs :

• Intel Core i3-3240 (TDP 55W)
• Intel Core i5-3330s (TDP 65W)

I thought that with only 4-pin, the i7-3770 (TDP 77W) might not run stable and then think the 3770s would be a safer choice as it has the same TDP as the other CPU normally sold with this PC.

Do you think the Intel Core i7-3770s would be the best choice for this mother-board ?
https://www.cpubenchmark.net/compar...-i5-3330S-vs-Intel-i7-3770S-vs-Intel-i5-3570S

Motherboard is H61H2-AM3 but I could not find any specifications regarding the maximum TDP allowed for the CPU.

Note : other parts have already been updated on this PC (Sata SSD, max-out the RAM to 8GB, move from Win 8.1 to 10, 500W PSU and GT 1030).

Also, would it worth adding a better GPU if I can find one used for 1080p low/med gaming on some AAA from about 3-4 years ago (if possible at al) ?
With the i7-3770s and a 500W PSU, what would be the best PSU to throw in his setup (on the used market). I thought about a GTX 1050 or GTX 1650.

Best regards.

 

[Eximo]

Single 4-pin is fine for even the regular 3770.

Heatsink will have been a single design for all options, so that is likely enough to run any CPU. You aren't likely to run a full load on the CPU anyway.

GTX1650 or 1650 Super should work if it had no problems with the GT 1030. RX570 RX560 perhaps. Not sure I would go much past that without upgrading the whole system.

 

[Kid_E]

Thanks a lot for your quick answer @Eximo .

Other question : I can find documentation about the motherboard H61H2-M3 but almost nothing on the H61H2-AM3 .
Any idea on what could be the difference ?

 

[Eximo]

Appears to be an Acer branded version of the board. Acer is Packard's parent company, so that makes sense.

 

[Kid_E]

Indeed, it'd make sense. M probably standing for micro-atx.

 

[KyaraM]

I run a 12100 over an 8-pin adapter since the PSU used is 5 years old at this point and doesn't have a second 6-pin, but seeing how little power it uses (58W maximum), a single 6-pin would likely be enough to run it xD
As long as you don't overdo it, there shouldn't be an issue.