Replacing a Nvidia GT 640 With...?

[DylanL]

Hey guys,
I'm fairly new to replacing really anything on a computer. I bought an HP Envy Phoenix about a year or so ago, and it works fine and everything except for the graphics. Primarily on GTA V, I get very low FPS (around 20-30) when playing on a high resolution like 1920 x 1080, which is really what my screen is supposed to support. I can only run the game on low resolutions like 1280 x 800 I believe is what it is currently on, and even then the FPS will be 50 at most. Most people who play GTA with decent PCs are getting 60 FPS with high resolutions and high texture levels. My PC isn't terrible but the one thing that I do believe is causing this is the graphics card. Here are my specs:
GeForce GT 640 Graphics
Intel(R) Core i7-4820K CPU 3.70GHz Processor
16 Gig Ram
2 TB Hard drive
600 Watt Power (I heard this was important..)
I'm assuming it's the graphics that is causing this low FPS. I also face low FPS in other games as well besides GTA. So my question is if I were to replace the graphics card, what would you guys recommend and would my computer be able to support it? Several of my friends recommended the GTX 980 but I'm not sure if that's overkill. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

 

[fabiodrm]

your processor is good but your GPU is really weak.
you can get a GTX 970, you can handle most recent games without problem.

You need do make sure your PSU have enough power pin connector for the GPU and if it will fit inside the case.

can you link a image of your PC Case? (front, side, back)

 

[DylanL]

your processor is good but your GPU is really weak.
you can get a GTX 970, you can handle most recent games without problem.

You need do make sure your PSU have enough power pin connector for the GPU and if it will fit inside the case.

can you link a image of your PC Case? (front, side, back)

Hey thanks for your reply. My case is pretty much identical to the one in this video... apparently there's enough space for a pretty large card. Would my PC (power, processor, ram, etc) be able to support a 970?

 

[fabiodrm]

your processor is fine, really, it is good.

We need to make sure you have enough power for your GPU and the correct power connector.


if your case if the same of the one in that video, if will fit.

 

[DylanL]

your processor is fine, really, it is good.

We need to make sure you have enough power for your GPU and the correct power connector.


if your case if the same of the one in that video, if will fit.

I mean my case looks pretty much the same, here is a pic in case you want to check. There's a sticker inside of the case that tells about the power supply I'm pretty sure, shown here.

 

[fabiodrm]

take a look at this card:
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-video-card-04gp42974kr

make sure you PSU have this connectors:
http://images.hardwarecanucks.com/image//skymtl/GPU/GTX-970-FTW/GTX-970-FTW-2.JPG

it will fit without problem in your case.

 

[DylanL]

take a look at this card:
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-video-card-04gp42974kr

make sure you PSU have this connectors:
http://images.hardwarecanucks.com/image//skymtl/GPU/GTX-970-FTW/GTX-970-FTW-2.JPG

it will fit without problem in your case.

Is EVGA a good brand? I've never really heard of it.. or does it not really matter? The power connectors fit the GTX 980 and are shown in the video, so I'm pretty sure they should fit the 970

 

[fabiodrm]

EVGA is the best brand for nVidia GPUS.

also, nvidia will release next gen GPU next month and maybe the current gen will have a price drop (or not). EVGA have a 90 day upgrade police, you can get a better GPU only paying the difference between your GPU and the new one.

E.G: you buy a gtx 970 now for $299 and next month you send your gpu back + 50$ and get a new GTX 1070.

go for it!

 

[DylanL]

EVGA is the best brand for nVidia GPUS.

also, nvidia will release next gen GPU next month and maybe the current gen will have a price drop (or not). EVGA have a 90 day upgrade police, you can get a better GPU only paying the difference between your GPU and the new one.

E.G: you buy a gtx 970 now for $299 and next month you send your gpu back + 50$ and get a new GTX 1070.

go for it!

Oh okay, thank you for that information. Will the 970 run GTA well? I want to be able to play with high texture settings and a high resolution with close to 60 FPS, do you think this card can achieve that? Also, is it hard to replace a graphics card? I've never replaced anything besides Ram before.

 

[fabiodrm]

Benckmarks:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyNq4ADDQVE
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2014-nvidia-geforce-gtx-970-review

you can handle all recent games without any problem =)

replacing the GPU its very similar to replacing ram:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_44YXbhdeM

 

[DylanL]

Benckmarks:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyNq4ADDQVE
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2014-nvidia-geforce-gtx-970-review

you can handle all recent games without any problem =)

replacing the GPU its very similar to replacing ram:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_44YXbhdeM

Is this one good?
http://www.amazon.com/MSI-GAMING-GTX-970-4G/dp/B00NN0GEXQ/ref=sr_1_2?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1462239606&sr=1-2&keywords=gtx+970

Besides the fact that it is not EVGA... I just prefer MSI because I've heard of it before.

 

[fabiodrm]

Benckmarks:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyNq4ADDQVE
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2014-nvidia-geforce-gtx-970-review

you can handle all recent games without any problem =)

replacing the GPU its very similar to replacing ram:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_44YXbhdeM

Is this one good?
http://www.amazon.com/MSI-GAMING-GTX-970-4G/dp/B00NN0GEXQ/ref=sr_1_2?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1462239606&sr=1-2&keywords=gtx+970

Besides the fact that it is not EVGA... I just prefer MSI because I've heard of it before.

yes! MSI is pretty good too!