Need help to see if this GPU is compatible

[Aotz]

Hello, so my friend has a Acer Aspire M3985 and he wants to upgrade his GPU. I'm recommending the XFX 280x to him because it's perfect for his budget and it's on sale right now, but I'm wondering if it will work with his mobo. The thing that concerns me is this: http://www.acer.ae/ac/en/AE/content/model-datasheet/DT.SJQEM.018 under "Display and Graphics" it says Graphics memory capacity up to 2gb and the 280x is a 3gb card, and there's other things such as if it can support the memory interface. Also, his PSU is sufficient for the card. Thanks for all your help!

 

[brocklinboy123]

All the specs meet requirments or exceeds them but im worried about the memory capacity cause you obviously dont wanna take the chance and it failing sp i would recommend a gpu with 2gb graphics capacity just to be safe

 

[bignastyid]

That case has terrible cooling, I would be worried the card will overheat. That is if the card will even fit in the case. Acer doesn't list the internal physical specs so you will have to open the case and measure to make sure it will fit. Also you say the PSU is sufficient I hope that means that he has replaced the stock 300w(not even close to sufficient for a system with a 280x) unit with something better and not just a cheap doorstop disguised as a PSU. The motherboard is not going to limit how much vram the gpu can have. That info on the datasheet simply means they only shipped the system with gpus that had upto 2gb, it does not meant you can only use a gpu with 2gb or less of vram.

 

[Aotz]

That case has terrible cooling, I would be worried the card will overheat. That is if the card will even fit in the case. Acer doesn't list the internal physical specs so you will have to open the case and measure to make sure it will fit. Also you say the PSU is sufficient I hope that means that he has replaced the stock 300w(not even close to sufficient for a system with a 280x) unit with something better and not just a cheap doorstop disguised as a PSU. The motherboard is not going to limit how much vram the gpu can have. That info on the datasheet simply means they only shipped the system with gpus that had upto 2gb, it does not meant you can only use a gpu with 2gb or less of vram.

Yeah, he put a Corsair HX750 watt psu in it. And I know, I hate the idea of buying pre-made computer's and upgrading but that was the route he chose. And would adding after market case fans improve the airflow by much?