Looking to purchase an NVIDIA GTX 970 or 980 for my HP Envy 700-230 qe cto. Given my specs, is this possible?

[Bloodshots]

I want to get ready for the release of the Oculus Rift, so far it seems everything in my computer is solid spec-wise besides my graphics card which is vastly underpowered by comparison to the rest of my PC.
My desktop computer is an HP Envy 700-230 qe cto.
Motherboard: MSI MS-7826
Processor: Intel Core i7-4770 CPU 3.40 GHz
RAM: 32 GBs

The current graphics card is an NVIDIA GeForce GT 640, which I'm assuming is the reason the system itself was so inexpensive. I've got a PCIe port, but I'm pretty sure I'd have to use a splitter because the current graphics card doesn't directly connect to any power source and pulls it directly from the PC, which is a part I am confused about since I'm not 100% sure if I can even run a better card with the rig I have since there is no port for power (I'm not entirely sure how to phrase it.)

More or less, I want to upgrade to an NVIDIA GTX 970 or 980, especially since the fan on my current graphics card is flimsy and managed to break and somehow I'm getting by with a temporary fix until it inevitably dies again.

Would this be possible given the case size and the motherboard?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[junkeymonkey]

I'd be looking into this first real hard

some models of store bought computers [dell.hp,acer,ect..] may come with a ''locked or fixed'' bios and may not allow you to change certain hardware as a video card.. this is done to protect them from undue warranty claims and refunds .this is not done to hurt you but to protect them. you really need to see if that upgrade has been proven to work in your model first before you invest money in it .. there are a lot of these threads here at toms to look at some models will allow upgrades and some dont.. and a lot of guys here say ya ya ya when is really no no no...it would be sad you spent $200 on a card that wount post after you installed it as most find out. then get told its your psu and you spend more and end up right back where you are now, but its up to you good luck..


you got to know the the boards in these computers are not like the ones we use to do custom builds witch are open to upgrading with in the boards compatibly . the bios is custom made for there design and just for the parts they authorize to be used on there computers there only guaranteed to work as is out of the box as you bought it ,..


hp may have things rigged so a newer or more powerful card may not work at all -- like reduceing the slot power below the 75w needed for higher end cards that gt 640 may not need the full atx standered of 75w and hp cut it back to like 45w ??


like it states here at NVidia
Maximum Graphics Card Power (W) 65 W 49 W

http://www.geforce.com/hardware/desktop-gpus/geforce-gt640/specifications


good luck


in the end you may just buy, try ,and hope it don't make you cry

 

[junkeymonkey]

heres another thing to look at under hardware options

Graphics - Must select one of the following options: notice theres nothing but low powered cards offered ?? and theres no upgrade options ??

http://support.hp.com/us-en/product/HP-ENVY-700-Desktop-PC-series/5399651/model/5399839/document/c03983810#AbT2

be kinda tough to spend 350 -550$$ on that and be holding the bag ?? [opinion]