Motherboard Upgrade for 970 GTX

[javz]

Hi all,

I was lucky enough to find out after buying a MSI 970 GTX that my current motherboard is incompatible and that there is no BIOS update to solve this. Why? For some reason I bought a prebuilt HP machine 5 years ago.

My current specs are as follows:

i7 2600
8GB DDR RAM (2x4GB)
660 GTX (970 GTX waiting to be installed)
Corsair CX600
Cleveland Motherboard (Pegatron 2ab5)

For more info - http://support.hp.com/th-en/document/c02682170

I was initially thinking to get this https://www.asus.com/uk/Motherboards/H81MPLUS/ but then thought that it might not even install properly as I do have a HP case, and it may not have extra screws for smaller/bigger motherboards, so I thought the following may be a better option https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/B85M-G43.html#hero-overview as this one is a 24.4cm x 24.4cm whereas the Asus is 24.4cm x 18.3cm

Any thought's if I'm going to the right direction? Is it a good motherboard? Are my existing components suitable? Including the 970 GTX? Are there any better motherboards available?

Once home, I will check if I can even get the Asus, but now I'm thinking the MSI is better "futureproofed" than the Asus.

Also for some reason, PCPartPicker says that these boards are incompatible with the i7 2600 even though they are the same socket type; a quick Google suggested they are compatible.

Thanks!

 

[dangus]

did you install the card and try it at least? i really don't see any reason it wouldnt work aside from perhaps not fitting inside the case...in which case i would take a dremel and MAKE it fit.

 

[javz]

did you install the card and try it at least? i really don't see any reason it wouldnt work aside from perhaps not fitting inside the case...in which case i would take a dremel and MAKE it fit.

You mean to try it and install it on my existing set up? Yes, I have - does not accept it at all; get screen stuck at the HP logo and several beeps via the motherboard.

BIOS needs to be version 8 and a UEFI BIOS I'm stuck on 7 and standard BIOS.

Also the card fit fine, no issues at all besides it not being accepted by my existing motherboard.

 

[Corwin65]

did you install the card and try it at least? i really don't see any reason it wouldnt work aside from perhaps not fitting inside the case...in which case i would take a dremel and MAKE it fit.

TO THE CASE NOT THE CARD.

 

[madmatt30]

@ dangus - Its a big issue with maxwell cards not working on older hp boards unfortunately.

@ javz - those boards are incompatible , you need to be looking at a h61 or b75 series board.(socket 1155)

Are you in the uk??

 

[dangus]

did you install the card and try it at least? i really don't see any reason it wouldnt work aside from perhaps not fitting inside the case...in which case i would take a dremel and MAKE it fit.

TO THE CASE NOT THE CARD.

yes good call. thats what i meant haha

 

[javz]

@ dangus - Its a big issue with maxwell cards not working on older hp boards unfortunately.

@ javz - those boards are incompatible , you need to be looking at a h61 or b75 series board.(socket 1155)

Are you in the uk??

How come they are incompatible? I thought having the socket to be the same was enough?

Yes I am in the UK

 

[madmatt30]

They're not the same socket mate, h81 & b85 are socket 1150 (which confusingly is newer than socket 1155)

I'll have a scout around from mb's for you.
The problem is the only easily sourceable/affordable new board is the asrock h61 dgs nowadays which is pretty minimal spec wise.
A year ago there was still a good choice of boards in UK stock , disappeared or sold out nowadays though.

 

[javz]

They're not the same socket mate, h81 & b85 are socket 1150 (which confusingly is newer than socket 1155)

I'll have a scout around from mb's for you.
The problem is the only easily sourceable/affordable new board is the asrock h61 dgs nowadays which is pretty minimal spec wise.
A year ago there was still a good choice of boards in UK stock , disappeared or sold out nowadays though.

Oh crap - you're right! For some reason I've been searching 1150.... Thanks for the help, much appreciated - I'll continue looking as well, but now have lost hope...

 

[madmatt30]

AsRock H61M-DGS Motherboard (Socket 1155, Intel H61, DDR3, 4 x S-ATA 300, Micro ATX, PCI Express 3.0, AsRock XFast USB, AsRock Instant Boot) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0099LECLY/ref=cm_sw_r_em_apa_cWcAxbW6NKN7Q


Pretty much you're stuck with this one mate unless you go second hand & pay extortionate Prices.

It's a bit bare bol spec wise with only 2 ram slots & 2 PCI express but it'll run your GPU & the 970 no problem which is your primary concern ??

 

[javz]

AsRock H61M-DGS Motherboard (Socket 1155, Intel H61, DDR3, 4 x S-ATA 300, Micro ATX, PCI Express 3.0, AsRock XFast USB, AsRock Instant Boot) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0099LECLY/ref=cm_sw_r_em_apa_cWcAxbW6NKN7Q


Pretty much you're stuck with this one mate unless you go second hand & pay extortionate Prices.

It's a bit bare bol spec wise with only 2 ram slots & 2 PCI express but it'll run your GPU & the 970 no problem which is your primary concern ??

My primary concern is that the motherboard may not install correctly since it is a proprietary build. I'm thinking that the motherboard has to be like for like - so my existing one is 24.4cm x 24.4cm whereas this one isn't 22.6cm x 17.3cm

If it was a normal case, I would assume it wouldn't matter, but this is HP.... Seems like I will need to open it up again and unscrew the motherboard....

Though I've found this one - http://pcupgrade.co.uk/productdetails.asp?ProductID=11261&categoryid=653 It's a 9.6 inch x 9.6 inch (Asus P8H77-M PRO H77) Pricey, I know, but it SHOULD be a guaranteed install.

Or the following:

http://pcupgrade.co.uk/productdetails.asp?ProductID=9631&categoryid=653
http://pcupgrade.co.uk/productdetails.asp?ProductID=9359&categoryid=653
http://pcupgrade.co.uk/productdetails.asp?ProductID=9640&categoryid=653
http://pcupgrade.co.uk/productdetails.asp?ProductID=9352&categoryid=653

 

[madmatt30]

dimensions on the board shoudlnt matter mate - the 17 cm boards only use 2 vertical rows of screws - these are exactly the same position that the 3 screwholes runing vertically down the board just to the left of the ram slots are on your current board
on the smaller boards theyre right on the edge of the board - they still line up fine to the case though.

admiddedly those boards you listed are better specced though if they have them in stock.

 

[javz]

dimensions on the board shoudlnt matter mate - the 17 cm boards only use 2 vertical rows of screws - these are exactly the same position that the 3 screwholes runing vertically down the board just to the left of the ram slots are on your current board
on the smaller boards theyre right on the edge of the board - they still line up fine to the case though.

admiddedly those boards you listed are better specced though if they have them in stock.

You've just given me breath of fresh of air lol I feel relieved now - I was about to take apart the motherboard to see whats underneath, but too many things in the way to have a proper look.

The ones I've found are better, but far too pricey for what it's worth? Plus £7.99 delivery too.

If that's the case then about these:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Biostar-H61MLV3-Intel-Socket-motherboard/dp/B00HSE6DSO/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1466453287&sr=8-8&keywords=1155

https://www.amazon.co.uk/ASRock-H61M-DGS-R2-0-Motherboard-Socket/dp/B00IYYUGAS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1466453287&sr=8-1&keywords=1155

https://www.amazon.co.uk/MSI-LGA1155-u-ATX-Motherboard-Intel/dp/B009US9DCO/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1466453287&sr=8-7&keywords=1155

Thanks again!

 

[dangus]

even if for some reason it doesnt fit the case, you can get a decent case for like $40 that will be comparable if not better than the HP case

 

[madmatt30]

Still the asrock mate IMO.
The one I posted is cheaper if you have prime??

Or know someone who does who will add you to friend & family membership (free next day delivery that way)

 

[javz]

Still the asrock mate IMO.
The one I posted is cheaper if you have prime??

Or know someone who does who will add you to friend & family membership (free next day delivery that way)

I've read bad reviews about the Asrock and quite reluctant to get a board either dead on arrival or burns out quickly.

I've been instead thinking of getting this http://pcupgrade.co.uk/productdetails.asp?ProductID=9778&categoryid=653 £55 including delivery, which isn't too bad. Your thoughts?

Also, I've been checking my machine again, to see if I have a HD audio socket, or a AC'97 socket - seems like the latter (5 pin at the bottom, 3 top - 1 left, middle, right) and after checking I then turned on the computer and got a blank screen.

I enabled the onboard graphics card again, turned off machine, switched DVI to card and it worked... Not sure what's going on. Reseated the card too. Was using it for a bit, turned the monitor off and blank screen again.

Anyways, let me know your thoughts; I think my current card may be dying due to me handling it too much? Although I didn't really check the card today.

Thanks again

 

[javz]

even if for some reason it doesnt fit the case, you can get a decent case for like $40 that will be comparable if not better than the HP case

That is definitely true, but I don't want to spend money unnecessarily. But it may be the case... pun unintended...

 

[dangus]

even if for some reason it doesnt fit the case, you can get a decent case for like $40 that will be comparable if not better than the HP case

That is definitely true, but I don't want to spend money unnecessarily. But it may be the case... pun unintended...

well just know its a cheapish option

 

[madmatt30]

The asrock is an OK board , I have the same model (albeit with the usb3 option) running a 3470 & gtx 970.

The MSI board you listed IS better featured with usb3 & a couple of sata 3 ports.

Looks a decent option.

 

[javz]

The asrock is an OK board , I have the same model (albeit with the usb3 option) running a 3470 & gtx 970.

The MSI board you listed IS better featured with usb3 & a couple of sata 3 ports.

Looks a decent option.

Had a call from the company saying that MSI are not available anymore, instead they have an AsRock. And that they had more breakdowns/returns with MSI than they did with AsRock. He also said that H61 boards do not come with SATA 3.0 but do come with USB 3.0 - so I bought the one you first suggested for £38.

Not too bad for something I wasn't planning to buy lol, just hope everything goes well.

Thanks for all the advice my good man!

Just didn't see the point of spending so much when I didn't want to upgrade as much - if I go down that route, I'd rather go all out and build a new PC

 

[madmatt30]

You'll be fine mate, it has an up to date uefi bios & has no problems running maxwell cards.

The only issue I do see is your windows activation as your install will be tied to that HP OEM prebuild.

 

[javz]

You'll be fine mate, it has an up to date uefi bios & has no problems running maxwell cards.

The only issue I do see is your windows activation as your install will be tied to that HP OEM prebuild.

Apparently the licensing has changed on OEM since Windows 10 and you can transfer licenses if there is a CPU/motherboard change, but that would require a call.

Also, I've just realised that I would not only reapply the thermal paste but also to clean it carefully.

Would you recommend any of these? Or any that you normally use?

Arctic Package

Halnziye Package

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Arctic-Silver-5-3-5-gram-Thermal-Paste-with-Arcticlean-and-SHL-cloths-Value-Pack-/271367895059?hash=item3f2ec97813:g:cooAAOSwHnFVwIvk

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Arctic-Silver-5-3-5-gram-Thermal-Paste-SHL-isopropanol-and-cloths-Value-Pack-/272263437956?hash=item3f642a5e84:g:X1QAAOSwMNxXUj0f

Thanks again!

 

[madmatt30]

Take the cheap as5 pack at £6.99 mate - its all you need.
In all honesty I rarely use any cleaning agents , you canbgenerally scrape used paste off with a bank card but if that's the stock cooler you're using then the CPU die will likely need cleaning.

Can't go wrong with as5 - great thermal paste.

 

[javz]

Take the cheap as5 pack at £6.99 mate - its all you need.
In all honesty I rarely use any cleaning agents , you canbgenerally scrape used paste off with a bank card but if that's the stock cooler you're using then the CPU die will likely need cleaning.

Can't go wrong with as5 - great thermal paste.

That's a relief - I'll be using a card then! And have purchased as advised - thanks again, you've been a real help; I'll keep you updated on my progress too once the parts are all here and hopefully assembled without any issues!

 

[javz]

Take the cheap as5 pack at £6.99 mate - its all you need.
In all honesty I rarely use any cleaning agents , you canbgenerally scrape used paste off with a bank card but if that's the stock cooler you're using then the CPU die will likely need cleaning.

Can't go wrong with as5 - great thermal paste.

Also, I've just researched a bit on typed of graphics card - I've found out that I have a non-reference card and that I would need good airflow.... I do not think I would be getting good airflow with my existing case as it's a small mid-atx case with a few fans. And it's quite tight too....

Any suggestions? Or am I worrying too much? Thanks again!