MSI 970A-G43 do i need an upgrade?

[Cyanide Snow]

Hi ive currently got a MSI 970A-G43 mobo and im planning to get a powercolor r9 980 along with another 8gb (2x4) of 1600mhz ram. Just wondering if it was compatible or is it advised that i should get a new one?
cpu im using is AMD Phenom II X4 965

 

[clutchc]

The GTX 980 should be fine with that board. So should the RAM, as long as it is identical (or nearly so) with the first pair you have now. But the Phenom II X4 965 will not be able to keep up with the GTX 980 in most games. The result will be major CPU bottle neck. You will be paying for gfx card performance that you can't use.

 

[Cyanide Snow]

The GTX 980 should be fine with that board. So should the RAM, as long as it is identical (or nearly so) with the first pair you have now. But the Phenom II X4 965 will not be able to keep up with the GTX 980 in most games. The result will be major CPU bottle neck. You will be paying for gfx card performance that you can't use.

Sorry im not sure if it makes a difference but it was a r9 280/290 (still unsure what one) not gtx 980.
Also i have corsair vengence 1600 2x4gb. does it need to be the same brand or just needs to be 2x4gb and 1600mhz.
Thanks

 

[clutchc]

The GTX 980 should be fine with that board. So should the RAM, as long as it is identical (or nearly so) with the first pair you have now. But the Phenom II X4 965 will not be able to keep up with the GTX 980 in most games. The result will be major CPU bottle neck. You will be paying for gfx card performance that you can't use.

Sorry im not sure if it makes a difference but it was a r9 280/290 (still unsure what one) not gtx 980.
Also i have corsair vengence 1600 2x4gb. does it need to be the same brand or just needs to be 2x4gb and 1600mhz.
Thanks

Oh. Ok. You wrote "im planning to get a powercolor r9 980". I just assumed you mis-typed and meant the GTX 980. The R9-280 will be a more balanced gfx card. I had one with my PhII X4 965BE build. The CPU was OC'ed to 4.0 GHz and can keep up with the R9-280 in most games w/o bottleneck. But the R9-290 would be a bottle necked, especially by a stock PhII X4 965.

As long as you are keeping the matched pairs of RAM in the same color DIMM slots, it is not as critical. Try to match the timings, speed, and the voltage. The real stability problem comes in when you try to use mis-matched memory in the same color slots.

 

[Cyanide Snow]

The GTX 980 should be fine with that board. So should the RAM, as long as it is identical (or nearly so) with the first pair you have now. But the Phenom II X4 965 will not be able to keep up with the GTX 980 in most games. The result will be major CPU bottle neck. You will be paying for gfx card performance that you can't use.

Sorry im not sure if it makes a difference but it was a r9 280/290 (still unsure what one) not gtx 980.
Also i have corsair vengence 1600 2x4gb. does it need to be the same brand or just needs to be 2x4gb and 1600mhz.
Thanks

Oh. Ok. You wrote "im planning to get a powercolor r9 980". I just assumed you mis-typed and meant the GTX 980. The R9-280 will be a more balanced gfx card. I had one with my PhII X4 965BE build. The CPU was OC'ed to 4.0 GHz and can keep up with the R9-280 in most games w/o bottleneck. But the R9-290 would be a bottle necked, especially by a stock PhII X4 965.

As long as you are keeping the matched pairs of RAM in the same color DIMM slots, it is not as critical. Try to match the timings, speed, and the voltage. The real stability problem comes in when you try to use mis-matched memory in the same color slots.

Sorry i didn't realise =P. Hmm okay thanks, do you think I should get the 280/280x/290? I dont play the most recent games on my pc but would like to put the games i play to ultra settings at 1080p. Also would you suggest i upgrade my cpu to AMD FX8320 Black Edition 8 Core or im fine where i am?
As far as OC things I wouldn't know what to do hence I leave them as they are.
Really sorry for the tons of questions and thank you for all your help so far.

 

[clutchc]

I notice that the FX-8350 is not on that motherboard's support list: http://us.msi.com/support/mb/970A-G43.html#support-cpu
But the rest of the Vishera line up is. The FX-6300 or 6350 would be a good upgrade, you don't really have to go to one of the 8 cores for gaming. Since you don't OC, the FX-6350 would be a good choice. Then you could opt for any of the above cards you mention.
The FX-8370E if you really want an 8 core.
But be sure your board has the required BIOS version (or later) listed in the last column for the CPU you choose.

If you stay with the Phenom II X4 @ 3.4 GHz (stock), I wouldn't waste money on card faster than the R9-270X or GTX 960. You'll be paying for performance you won't be able to use. Here is a hierarchy chart to give you an idea where the various cards stand compared to each other: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-7.html

What gfx card are you running now?

 

[Cyanide Snow]

I notice that the FX-8350 is not on that motherboard's support list: http://us.msi.com/support/mb/970A-G43.html#support-cpu
But the rest of the Vishera line up is. The FX-6300 or 6350 would be a good upgrade, you don't really have to go to one of the 8 cores for gaming. Since you don't OC, the FX-6350 would be a good choice. Then you could opt for any of the above cards you mention.
The FX-8370E if you really want an 8 core.
But be sure your board has the required BIOS version (or later) listed in the last column for the CPU you choose.

If you stay with the Phenom II X4 @ 3.4 GHz (stock), I wouldn't waste money on card faster than the R9-270X or GTX 960. You'll be paying for performance you won't be able to use. Here is a hierarchy chart to give you an idea where the various cards stand compared to each other: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-7.html

What gfx card are you running now?

Hmm okay I might check out fx-6350 then, I just thought if im going to upgrade might aswell since the 8 core I mentioned was £85 new but if it would need to include a new motherboard I assume that would be quite costly? (btw it was the 8320 not 8350 sorry if I made a mistake again)
May sound stupid but how would I update my bios? Do I just need to download the file and run it?
No I would probably upgrade my cpu then so it would last longer aswell as the graphics card.

I'm not home to check but I believe its radeon 7700 1gb or something like that, even youtube vids at 1080p lag up.

 

[clutchc]

Run CPU-Z and see what the BIOS version is. It will be listed under the 'motherboard' tab.
http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html

 

[Cyanide Snow]

Run CPU-Z and see what the BIOS version is. It will be listed under the 'motherboard' tab.
http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html

might sound stupid but it says v10.3? Undere mainboard tab and then bios, also its dated to 03/28/2013

Also I've read up that i would need to improve my psu (its 500w) aswell as i would like to get a cpu cooler as current one is loud and can assume stock on the next cpu would be loud aswell.
could you recomment me one please?
thanks
p.s im really sorry for all these questions and what not and thank you so much for your help so far

 

[clutchc]

Yes, that is the latest BIOS on the list as per the link I sent above. The name of the BIOS download file is coded in a bit of hexadecimal. The BIOS you have is "7693vA3". In Hex, that is the number 10 followed by the number 3. In other words 10.3. So you should be good for any CPU on the support list.

Btw, I knew you stated FX-8320, I was just surprised that the FX-8350 wasn't on the list. Sorry to confuse you. The FX-8320 would be a fine up grade. Here it is compared to the FX-6350: http://cpuboss.com/cpus/AMD-FX-8320-vs-AMD-FX-6350
Here it is compared to your PhII X4 965: http://cpuboss.com/cpus/AMD-Phenom-II-X4-965-vs-AMD-FX-8320

Yes, the stock AMD cooler gets loud when the fan picks up speed. If you are not going to OC the processor (or only do lite OC'ing), this little guy snaps right on the AMD retention bracket like the stock cooler does: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103064 I still have mine sitting on the shelf. It never seems to quit. Always seemed quiet to me. It makes a good stock cooler replacement. The best part, is that it can face any of 4 directions the way its mounting bracket is designed.

 

[Cyanide Snow]

Yes, that is the latest BIOS on the list as per the link I sent above. The name of the BIOS download file is coded in a bit of hexadecimal. The BIOS you have is "7693vA3". In Hex, that is the number 10 followed by the number 3. In other words 10.3. So you should be good for any CPU on the support list.

Btw, I knew you stated FX-8320, I was just surprised that the FX-8350 wasn't on the list. Sorry to confuse you. The FX-8320 would be a fine up grade. Here it is compared to the FX-6350: http://cpuboss.com/cpus/AMD-FX-8320-vs-AMD-FX-6350
Here it is compared to your PhII X4 965: http://cpuboss.com/cpus/AMD-Phenom-II-X4-965-vs-AMD-FX-8320

Yes, the stock AMD cooler gets loud when the fan picks up speed. If you are not going to OC the processor (or only do lite OC'ing), this little guy snaps right on the AMD retention bracket like the stock cooler does: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103064 I still have mine sitting on the shelf. It never seems to quit. Always seemed quiet to me. It makes a good stock cooler replacement. The best part, is that it can face any of 4 directions the way its mounting bracket is designed.

Oh okay thank you, ill probably get the fx-8320 then since its cheapest and seems to be good from reviews.
I checked out the cooler you sent me and read in one of the reviews that the 212 evo is better? I also checked and they are pretty much the same price. Is it worth the extra £2 or should I just stick to one you mentioned?
And sorry one last question is my psu (500w) powerful enough or should i get something stronger?

 

[clutchc]

Yes, the 212 EVO is a better cooler if you intend on serious overclocking. But you will have to remove the AMD retention bracket (no big deal). I only mentioned the TX3 as a replacement for the stock cooler to reduce noise and make an easy swap. It's big brother, the TX4 is also good for OC'ing if you don't want to deal with removing the retention bracket.

If you are looking at a 250/300W gfx card and a 95W CPU, and you think you might want to OC either or both, a 500W PSU is going to be marginal. I would look into a 600-650W for some added headroom. And remember, the R9-280/R9-290 requires 2 x 6/8 pin PCIe power connections.

Another consideration for a cooler would be to go with a liq. cooler. I have a couple Corsair H60s. When attaching to an AMD socket, there will be no need to remove the retention bracket either. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181030
(you'll have to see what it costs where you are at)

 

[Cyanide Snow]

Yes, the 212 EVO is a better cooler if you intend on serious overclocking. But you will have to remove the AMD retention bracket (no big deal). I only mentioned the TX3 as a replacement for the stock cooler to reduce noise and make an easy swap. It's big brother, the TX4 is also good for OC'ing if you don't want to deal with removing the retention bracket.

If you are looking at a 250/300W gfx card and a 95W CPU, and you think you might want to OC either or both, a 500W PSU is going to be marginal. I would look into a 600-650W for some added headroom. And remember, the R9-280/R9-290 requires 2 x 6/8 pin PCIe power connections.

Another consideration for a cooler would be to go with a liq. cooler. I have a couple Corsair H60s. When attaching to an AMD socket, there will be no need to remove the retention bracket either. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181030
(you'll have to see what it costs where you are at)

Yeah I was thinking that i might want to OC in the future but still not sure, couldn't find TX4 anywhere sadly to make a price comparison to the 212 evo. I was looking into the water cooler you advised but it is over double the 212 evo price, So doubt I'll go down that route.

I found this "Corsair CP-9020055-UK RM Series RM750 80 Plus Gold 750W ATX/EPS Fully Modular Power Supply Unit" its cheaper funnily enough than the 600w version but I cant tell if it has the right connectors available.

 

[clutchc]

In the "box contains:" listing, it states: PCIe 6+2 pin (GPU) x 4 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Corsair-CP-9020055-UK-Series-Modular-Supply/dp/B00FG9FTDI
Here's the rest of the specs: http://www.corsair.com/en-us/rm-series-rm750-80-plus-gold-certified-power-supply
So, you're good. The RM is an OK Corsair model. 3rd tier.
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2547993/psu-tier-list.html#xtor=EPR-8886

 

[Cyanide Snow]

In the "box contains:" listing, it states: PCIe 6+2 pin (GPU) x 4 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Corsair-CP-9020055-UK-Series-Modular-Supply/dp/B00FG9FTDI
Here's the rest of the specs: http://www.corsair.com/en-us/rm-series-rm750-80-plus-gold-certified-power-supply
So, you're good. The RM is an OK Corsair model. 3rd tier.
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2547993/psu-tier-list.html#xtor=EPR-8886

Ok thanks, I'm probably go for "EVGA SuperNOVA G2 750W PC Power Supply - Gold" its in the tier one section aswell as being cheaper than the corsair one.
Than you so much for all your help and sorry if i've been any hassle =D

 

[sora]

The EVGA G2 series is good quality so that is a good choice OP!