Will the Radeon R9 290 / 290X fit into my motherboard?

[Samuel256]

Hi all, I'm interested in getting a new graphics card that will last awhile and am interested in the R9. However,my computer is 5 years old now and the mother board is a ASUS M3N72-D with 2 PCI-E and 2 PCI ports. This is the first time replacing a graphics card so wanted to check that it would fit. I currently have a 896MB GEFORCE GTX260. Thanks for any help you can give.

 

[unknownofprob]

You have 2 x PCI-E X16 slots, so yes it'll work no problem motherboard wise. PCI-E is backward/forward compatible so don't worry if the generation is not the same as the recommended.

 

[razvan_mz]

if you have a phenom II x4 965 lets say (you didn't specify)... I wouldn't recommend anything higher then R9 270/270X.

 

[mnineseven]

Why don't you consider the GTX 970? Less cost, much more performance, less power usage, less noise and heat ought to be enough to make you choose a 970 over the 290.

 

[Samuel256]

You have 2 x PCI-E X16 slots, so yes it'll work no problem motherboard wise. PCI-E is backward/forward compatible so don't worry if the generation is not the same as the recommended.

Thanks a lot! Is a 650w power supply adequate as well? Is there anything else I should be aware of before I put 200-300 towards a new card? Thanks again.

 

[unknownofprob]

What PSU? Make?

What's your CPU?

 

[Samuel256]

Apologies, I'm currently running:

AMD PHENOM II X4 940 (3.0GHz)
8GB DDR2 Corsair RAM
650W Power Supply
Motherboard as above

 

[unknownofprob]

That CPU is ok but depending on your tasks there will be a bottleneck, how much will depend on the CPU load and how much you overclock it.

Watts isn't all, what is the amps on 12V rail?

 

[DSzymborski]

Is there any chance you will be upgrading your CPU/MB in the foreseeable future? If so, I'd recommend going for the GTX 970. With your current CPU, you wouldn't be able to use its full potential (you'll have a similar problem with the 290x and to a lesser extent the 290), but if a CPU/MB upgrade is, say 50% likely over the next year or 2, the value a 970 represents in its price range right now is just too hard to pass up.

If there's no chance of an upgrade, then the recommendation to look at a 270x is a good one. It's a solid fit for those Phenom CPUs. Your 650 would be fine if it's a halfway decent power supply. A good 500W would be just fine with a 270x.

If you *do* have an off-brand firebox and aren't replacing it, I wouldn't personally go higher than a 750ti. 650W bottom-tier power supplies have big air quotes around the 650 and are almost entirely some combination of being made of substandard parts that you don't want to push too aggressively, being of an older design that puts far too much on the +5v rail than makes sense for a modern PC, or is just outright lying on the label. And frequently all three. While my recommendation is always to have a decent power supply, before any other consideration, a 750ti is gentle enough that you have a much better shot at being OK. The 750ti is also the most powerful GPU that doesn't require supplementary power and in the Tom's Hardware GPU hierarchy, it represents a three tier jump from your GTX 260, the quick rule of thumb if an upgrade will have a significant benefit.

 

[Samuel256]

The PSU is a OCZ 650W ZS Series, I can't find the 12V rail sadly, so I can't tell you what the amps are, sorry.

 

[unknownofprob]

that PSU is fine. I would get a GTX 970 or if the R9 290 is far cheaper get that instead. After this eventually get a new CPU which in turn may require a new motherboard.

Don't worry about the bottlenecking factor currently, this will just mean you won't have to buy a new card next time you upgrade your underperforming components.

 

[Samuel256]

Thanks a lot everyone, has been some very useful information given. Having a quick browse it looks like the 970 is just cheaper than the 290 generally and if I can carry it over through the next upgrade of CPU +/- motherboard then it's much better value. Thank you all again.

 

[unknownofprob]

no problem, glad to have helped. The GTX 970 it is! the GTX 970 can also be overclocked extremely high and maintain excellent temps, it outperforms the R9 290 also.