Should I upgrade my processor for a gtx 970

[baldrob]

So my current system is a Dell precision T3500 configured as follows:

Xeon W3530 quad core 2.8ghz
Corsair 1333mhz DDR3 12Gb
Dell 525 watt power supply 80+ silver rated
Nvidia GT730 2Gb DDR3

I have a friend that is going to be upgrading to a 1070 or 1080 in a few weeks and he is going to sell me his 970 for $75. My question is will my current processor be able to keep up? If it won't, would upgrading to something like a Xeon X5687 (quad core 3.6ghz) A) be fast enough to keep up with the card, and B) be worth the $70 - $80 it typically goes for on Ebay?

Thanks!

 

[Jobble_Gobble]

Yes there will be a bottleneck but it is hard to say how bad. And yes the 970 is a great card. Do you game? if so why are you running Xeon's? they are typically a server chip.

 

[TDice]

So my current system is a Dell precision T3500 configured as follows:

Xeon W3530 quad core 2.8ghz
Corsair 1333mhz DDR3 12Gb
Dell 525 watt power supply 80+ silver rated
Nvidia GT730 2Gb DDR3

I have a friend that is going to be upgrading to a 1070 or 1080 in a few weeks and he is going to sell me his 970 for $75. My question is will my current processor be able to keep up? If it won't, would upgrading to something like a Xeon X5687 (quad core 3.6ghz) A) be fast enough to keep up with the card, and B) be worth the $70 - $80 it typically goes for on Ebay?

Thanks!

Is this a gaming PC or a Server PC? I would recommend a i7 like a i7 6700k for gaming.

 

[James Mason]

Yes, it is worth upgrading the CPU.
That one on ebay you mentioned will make it the equilvalent of a i5-4590, which is a pretty good CPU, and a goo fit for a gtx970 as well.

Your Powersupply is quite possibly in need of an upgrade as well, you should make sure it has enough PCIE power pins to actually run the GTX 970 your friend has, if it doesn't, you'll need a new PSU.

 

[baldrob]

This is the computer I use for everything. Paying bills, web browsing, gaming, and messing around with coding and web development. I bought the case with the ram, processor and power supply for about $100 so that's why I'm running a Xeon.

Once I get the 970 I plan on getting the new Doom and Mirror's Edge: Catalyst. Probably dive back into Skyrim once the remastered version comes out also. I will be playing at 1080p and I'm not too concerned about max fps as long as min fps are at least 35-40.

Do you really think I'll need to change the power supply? These workstations shipped with up to a quadro 5000, they draw as much or more than a 970 will. The power supply has 3 12v rails @ 18A and two six pin connectors.

 

[James Mason]

This is the computer I use for everything. Paying bills, web browsing, gaming, and messing around with coding and web development. I bought the case with the ram, processor and power supply for about $100 so that's why I'm running a Xeon.

Once I get the 970 I plan on getting the new Doom and Mirror's Edge: Catalyst. Probably dive back into Skyrim once the remastered version comes out also. I will be playing at 1080p and I'm not too concerned about max fps as long as min fps are at least 35-40.

Do you really think I'll need to change the power supply? These workstations shipped with up to a quadro 5000, they draw as much or more than a 970 will. The power supply has 3 12v rails @ 18A and two six pin connectors.

If that's the case than probably not, but with age they do degrade. and it probably wasn't ever "super" good anyways, as Dell sources the cheapest parts.

 

[TDice]

This is the computer I use for everything. Paying bills, web browsing, gaming, and messing around with coding and web development. I bought the case with the ram, processor and power supply for about $100 so that's why I'm running a Xeon.

Once I get the 970 I plan on getting the new Doom and Mirror's Edge: Catalyst. Probably dive back into Skyrim once the remastered version comes out also. I will be playing at 1080p and I'm not too concerned about max fps as long as min fps are at least 35-40.

Do you really think I'll need to change the power supply? These workstations shipped with up to a quadro 5000, they draw as much or more than a 970 will. The power supply has 3 12v rails @ 18A and two six pin connectors.

Its not the watts, it's the quality. 525 is enough for the card and an upgrade. I use http://outervision.com/power-supply-calculator when i need to see how many watts i need for a setup.

Best upgrade for a lga1366 is a i7 980X but it cost a lot, better off rebuilding. but if you can get a x5687 that cheap, It would be a better upgrade imo. w3530 to x5687 would be like 20% upgrade or something like that.

As for bottlenecks, someone else might have to answer that.

Edit: Also another soild lga1366 would be Intel Xeon X5660 Processor, 6 core ^^ 12 threads!!!!!! $138 on amazon 😛 I want it now XD

 

[James Mason]

Also are you sure your case will support a full height GPU?

GT 730s can come in the half height variety and fit in a much small package.

Though if it looks like this then it should be fine: http://www.dell.com/us/business/p/precision-t3500/pd

 

[baldrob]

Yes, I can go full height, it's a standard size full tower with a non-standard layout. I was worried about length but the card he has is only 9.5" long and I have about 11" to the drive cage.

Thanks everyone for your help. I'll probably order the processor this weekend and maybe get a new power supply next paycheck. Probably 600w to 650w evga or seasonic. I'll just have to see what's available.

 

[James Mason]

Yes, I can go full height, it's a standard size full tower with a non-standard layout. I was worried about length but the card he has is only 9.5" long and I have about 11" to the drive cage.

Thanks everyone for your help. I'll probably order the processor this weekend and maybe get a new power supply next paycheck. Probably 600w to 650w evga or seasonic. I'll just have to see what's available.

perfect

 

[madmatt30]

Delta psu units in those dell server builds if its the one that came with it.

If it is ,it honestly doesn't need replacing at all.