Is my computer compatible with GTX 970?

[megafallout3fan]

-Windows 10 Home 64-bit
-CPU: Intel Core i5 4460 @ 3.20GHz 39 °C Haswell 22nm Technology
-RAM: 8.00GB Single-Channel DDR3 @ 799MHz (11-11-11-28)
-Motherboard: ASRock H81M-HDS (CPUSocket) 37 °C
-Graphics: K242HL (1920x1080@60Hz)
-Storage: 931GB Western Digital WDC WD10EZEX-00BN5A0 (SATA) 27°C
-Optical Drives: HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GH24NSB0
-Audio: Realtek High Definition Audio
-PSU: 500W

 

[syked3]

Yes that motherboard has the relevant PCIE lanes to support that graphics card

 

[neo_classical]

Everything looks good except for one thing - you haven't listed your brand/model of PSU - the GTX 970 requires an 8-pin PCI express connector so that may be a limiting factor. Just something to bear in mind

 

[bignastyid]

Make and model of the psu?

 

[neo_classical]

Sorry, a 6 and an 8 pin depending on the model of the GTX 970.

 

[megafallout3fan]

Everything looks good except for one thing - you haven't listed your brand/model of PSU - the GTX 970 requires an 8-pin PCI express connector so that may be a limiting factor. Just something to bear in mind

Do you know if there is a program or something that will tell me that? The computer I have no is pre built so I'm not really sure. I tried Speccy and Dxdiag but I couldn't get any information.

 

[syked3]

Best thing to do is open it up and check for yourself

 

[neo_classical]

Probably best powering it down, undoing the side panel and having a look inside to see if there's a pair of wires coming out that look like these:
http://www.kenable.co.uk/images/K-8PIN-pci-exp-MM-40CM_MAIN.jpg

 

[bignastyid]

You'll need to open the side panel and look at the sticker on the side of the psu. Being a prebuilt there's a good chance it's a garbage or low quality unit.

 

[megafallout3fan]

Probably best powering it down, undoing the side panel and having a look inside to see if there's a pair of wires coming out that look like these:
http://www.kenable.co.uk/images/K-8PIN-pci-exp-MM-40CM_MAIN.jpg

http://imgur.com/Gz0Mbk6

http://imgur.com/KH1YSUH

http://imgur.com/Yy7vV7M

I'm kind of embarrassed but I couldn't figure out how to remove the connector things from my graphics card so I'm not sure it has 8 opening but it looks like the image you gave me (yellow black cords, and the same little symbols on it) but these are the images of the cord and the power supply maybe you or someone can help me figure out?

 

[neo_classical]

Yup, those are the ones going into your graphics cards. I can't quite tell - how many wires are going into each slot - 6 or 8?
Depending on what model of GTX 970 you get, you need to double check what connectors you need - we know that you have at least two 6-pin, but as I say, I can't tell if they're six or eight pin from your photos - sorry!

 

[stl522013]

I am guessing that you are looking at upgrading to a GTX 970. I highly suggest getting an R9 390. I watched a comparisons between an EVGA Super ACX GTX 970 and an MSI R9 390. The 390 performed better in most games. And the stereotype about AMD cards is that they use a lot of power and heat. At full loaf the R9 390 only ran 2-3 degrees hotter, and at full load used about 60 watts more power.

 

[megafallout3fan]

Yup, those are the ones going into your graphics cards. I can't quite tell - how many wires are going into each slot - 6 or 8?
Depending on what model of GTX 970 you get, you need to double check what connectors you need - we know that you have at least two 6-pin, but as I say, I can't tell if they're six or eight pin from your photos - sorry!

http://imgur.com/HzBHwpv
http://imgur.com/AgnhT6V

also has these little things but they aren't connected http://imgur.com/ZBJGAvO

I guess it's a six pin so I'll be able to get a gtx 970 or do I need 8 pin??

 

[neo_classical]

Irritatingly, it varies from model to model - you'll have to check each one I'm afraid.
This one takes two 6 pins:
http://www.ebuyer.com/666210-evga-gtx-970-superclocked-gaming-acx-2-0-4gb-gddr5-dual-dvi-hdmi-04g-p4-2974-kr
Not sure which country you are so you might want to check this model if you don't live in the UK

 

[megafallout3fan]

Irritatingly, it varies from model to model - you'll have to check each one I'm afraid.
This one takes two 6 pins:
http://www.ebuyer.com/666210-evga-gtx-970-superclocked-gaming-acx-2-0-4gb-gddr5-dual-dvi-hdmi-04g-p4-2974-kr
Not sure which country you are so you might want to check this model if you don't live in the UK

This one right here is 6 pin I think and it's only $379 so this one looks like a pretty good deal right?
edit forgot link: http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=43_1200_557_559&item_id=076658

 

[neo_classical]

If it's $379 for that model (double check the connector requirements) then yes, I say go for it

 

[megafallout3fan]

If it's $379 for that model (double check the connector requirements) then yes, I say go for it

Thank you and other people for being very helpful and I decided to go with the ZOTAC one since it's small and has 2x6 pin! Wooh finally I can order my graphics card! Thanks for helping!

 

[neo_classical]

A pleasure - hope you get some great looking games out of it - now I just have to dispel my jealousy with my GTX 670! (Although in fairness, it does its job!)

 

[bignastyid]

A word of warning. Solytech units are fairly low quality units. They are/were an OEM for some of Coolermaster's elite and extreme units that are known to fry components when they fail.

 

[megafallout3fan]

A word of warning. Solytech units are fairly low quality units. They are/were an OEM for some of Coolermaster's elite and extreme units that are known to fry components when they fail.

Thanks for the heads up. I will buy a power supply at some time in the future but right now I also have to buy a new computer case + 970 + some fans (Even though they're cheap) I will definitely look towards buying a new power supply when I get the chance though.