Upgrade from GTX 760 to 970, possible?

[Raasku]

Hello!

I've been thinking about an upgrade for my GPU. I've read people say that yes I could get a GTX 970, but also I've read that people aren't really sure and they wouldn't risk it... So! I decided to try and ask help from professionals in my own thread.

My PSU is a FSP500-50AAGA
My CPU is Intel i5-4440
My computer is not self built, it's an ACER Predator G3-605.

Thank you in advance for the help

 

[jtk2515]

GTX 760 is a 170w Card. 970 is a 145w with 2 6 pins. You would need a 6 pin adaptor.

 

[pete_101]

GTX 760 is a 170w Card. 970 is a 145w with 2 6 pins. You would need a 6 pin adaptor.

I don't think there is an issue with the 6 pin plugs. The specs I just saw shows it has a 6 pin and a 6+2 pin.

 

[Justin781]

You can bypass all of the compatibility issues if u wait for 2 weeks and get the RX 480 ($200). It's expected to perform somewhere close to the gtx 980 and only needs one 6 pin for power, which will clear up any concerns regarding compatibility. The odds are, if your system can handle a 760 currently, it will be fine with a 480.

Good luck!

 

[jtk2515]

My bad they both use 2x 6 pins. Your fine. Maybe some aftermarkets use a 6+2 pin i'm not sure.

 

[Outlander_04]

The gtx 970 is easily beaten by the new $199 Radeon RX480 that will release in 9 days time , and draw about 100 watts .

Even if you want a 970 dont buy it now because they will have to sell them for $175 or less if they want to move them

 

[Raasku]

You can bypass all of the compatibility issues if u wait for 2 weeks and get the RX 480 ($200). It's expected to perform somewhere close to the gtx 980 and only needs one 6 pin for power, which will clear up any concerns regarding compatibility. The odds are, if your system can handle a 760 currently, it will be fine with a 480.

Good luck!

My bad they both use 2x 6 pins. Your fine. Maybe some aftermarkets use a 6+2 pin i'm not sure.

I checked, I believe only 1 6pin is going into my GPU, and then there's a 6+2 hanging without a place to be atm.

So if I bought the GTX 970, does it matter if I don't use the 2pin from 6+2pin? 😀 What is the 2pin for ?

 

[Raasku]

The gtx 970 is easily beaten by the new $199 Radeon RX480 that will release in 9 days time , and draw about 100 watts .

Even if you want a 970 dont buy it now because they will have to sell them for $175 or less if they want to move them

Hmm. I've never had a Radeon GPU, is there any requirements or something I'd need to replace, or is it the same installing process as if I had a GTX 970?

 

[Outlander_04]

Uninstall all the nVidia software and drivers.

Install the AMD card

Install the AMD drivers .

Easy as that

 

[Raasku]

Uninstall all the nVidia software and drivers.

Install the AMD card

Install the AMD drivers .

Easy as that

Yeah so nothing really different then 😛 I'll be buying a new GPU in a month or so, i'll make the decision then 😀 Thanks for the help dude !

 

[pete_101]

I checked, I believe only 1 6pin is going into my GPU, and then there's a 6+2 hanging without a place to be atm.

So if I bought the GTX 970, does it matter if I don't use the 2pin from 6+2pin? 😀 What is the 2pin for ?

You don't need to use the 2 pins, the 6+2 can be used as both an 8 pin connector (by plugging them all in) or a 6 pin (by not plugging the 2 in). An 8 pin connector is rated for 150w and a 6 pin for 75w, by making the 6+2 it gives you greater options as to what cards you can run.

Hmm. I've never had a Radeon GPU, is there any requirements or something I'd need to replace, or is it the same installing process as if I had a GTX 970?

There is no difference at all, you install it exactly the same as any card....of course you also need to install the drivers.

 

[Raasku]

I checked, I believe only 1 6pin is going into my GPU, and then there's a 6+2 hanging without a place to be atm.

So if I bought the GTX 970, does it matter if I don't use the 2pin from 6+2pin? 😀 What is the 2pin for ?

You don't need to use the 2 pins, the 6+2 can be used as both an 8 pin connector (by plugging them all in) or a 6 pin (by not plugging the 2 in). An 8 pin connector is rated for 150w and a 6 pin for 75w, by making the 6+2 it gives you greater options as to what cards you can run.

Hmm. I've never had a Radeon GPU, is there any requirements or something I'd need to replace, or is it the same installing process as if I had a GTX 970?

There is no difference at all, you install it exactly the same as any card....of course you also need to install the drivers.

Okay, thanks a lot! Just to be sure, everything seems to you like my setup could run a GTX 970? or the new Radeon RX480

 

[jtk2515]

Yes

 

[Ted_Olsthoorn]

You need to make sure that before you upgrade your system, you get into the BIOS screen and change some settings. Acer has locked their motherboards, which means that any other GPU than the OEM one will not have an outgoing signal, thus not displaying anything. I believe you need to be on Windows 8/8.1/10 to be able to do this, though.

When you restart your Predator, click the DEL key to enter the BIOS menu. In the 'Boot Options' tab, you need to change the setting called 'Launch CSM' to 'Always'. After that, you'll need to go to the 'Authentication' tab and set the 'Secure Boot' option to 'Disabled'. Accept these settings and exit the BIOS menu, then shut down the PC/ These two settings should do the trick and make the Acer motherboard accept any other GPU than the one it came with. Now you'll be able to yank the 760 out and swap in your new GPU! You'll probably need to undo some zip ties to get the PEG connectors into the new GPU. When it's all done, you're ready to enjoy your new gaming rig!

Just a side note: I believe the 500W PSU in this system can not be upgraded because Acer decided to use a unique connector from the PSU to the motherboard. The newest 750W PSU used in the new Predator G6 might be the only option to upgrade it, will you ever feel the need to.

 

[Raasku]

You need to make sure that before you upgrade your system, you get into the BIOS screen and change some settings. Acer has locked their motherboards, which means that any other GPU than the OEM one will not have an outgoing signal, thus not displaying anything. I believe you need to be on Windows 8/8.1/10 to be able to do this, though.

When you restart your Predator, click the DEL key to enter the BIOS menu. In the 'Boot Options' tab, you need to change the setting called 'Launch CSM' to 'Always'. After that, you'll need to go to the 'Authentication' tab and set the 'Secure Boot' option to 'Disabled'. Accept these settings and exit the BIOS menu, then shut down the PC/ These two settings should do the trick and make the Acer motherboard accept any other GPU than the one it came with. Now you'll be able to yank the 760 out and swap in your new GPU! You'll probably need to undo some zip ties to get the PEG connectors into the new GPU. When it's all done, you're ready to enjoy your new gaming rig!

Just a side note: I believe the 500W PSU in this system can not be upgraded because Acer decided to use a unique connector from the PSU to the motherboard. The newest 750W PSU used in the new Predator G6 might be the only option to upgrade it, will you ever feel the need to.

Oh, really? Wow, okay thanks for letting me know! I'm not looking to upgrade my PSU because it's good enough for GTX 970, but good to know if I someday feel like upgrading my PSU.

Thank you