Upgrading GPU to GTX 970

[ADoby]

Hello,

 

I really would like to upgrade my GPU and the GTX 970 is a really good price.

I won't buy it now, but sometime in Dezember probably.

 

My current system:

ASRock B85 Pro 4

Intel Core i5 4670 running between 4.6 and 4.8 GHz (boost clock)

AMD Radeon R9 270X (should be swapped out)

16GB G.Skill CL10 DDR3 running at 1333mhz dual channel

Sharkoon Rush Power C 600 W

 

First:

Is there anything I should upgrade before or with the GPU?

 

Second:

Should I try to run the RAM at 800mhz or let it run at 666mhz?

(If that's possible)

I don't know if I will get a noticeable performance boost when doing it.

(Always had my RAM running at default/safe clock)

My Mainboard and CPU should be able to run with 1600 ram

 

If you need other information just ask. 

I work with that system so I will upgrade to another CPU sometime.

But the GPU should be my priority currently.

[Deli]

You will need a new motherboard with Z87 or Z97 chipset to use 4770K. 

 

Also, i5 4670 cannot be overclocked. Especially with a non-Z motherboard

[ADoby]

Are you sure?

Why should I need another chipset for the CPU

 

http://www.cpu-upgrade.com/mb-Intel_(chipsets)/B85.html

 

What you probably mean is overclocking.

But with a bios update you can overclock even with b85 chipset (i read somewhere)

 

I don't get your post, I didn't ask for overclock help

[mikeeginger]

A different chip set if you want to overclock 

And get a name brand main stream power supply or you may have problems  eg Corsair or Seasonic 

[Deli]

Are you sure?

Why should I need another chipset for the CPU

 

http://www.cpu-upgrade.com/mb-Intel_(chipsets)/B85.html

 

What you probably mean is overclocking.

But with a bios update you can overclock even with b85 chipset (i read somewhere)

If you want to go with 4770k, of course you want to overclock it. Otherwise you better get the non-K version. There are some non-Z-clipset motherboards with updated BIOS can do overclocking. I know some MSI boards can do this, but not sure about yours. Even if the new BIOS allows you to overclock, the VRM isn't very robust from the look of it, to handle the extra power needed for overclocking. 

[FlashingKool_Z]

Are you sure?

Why should I need another chipset for the CPU

 

http://www.cpu-upgrade.com/mb-Intel_(chipsets)/B85.html

 

What you probably mean is overclocking.

But with a bios update you can overclock even with b85 chipset (i read somewhere)

 

I don't get your post, I didn't ask for overclock help

That whole b85/h81 overclock thing was only for the Pentium G3258, and the 4790k (don't get the 4770k) doesn't even need to get overclocked since it runs at 4.4 with turbo boost. 

[ADoby]

I will talk about the CPU another time. 

This post has probably only been about the GPU and power supply and the RAM clock.

The CPU is fine and works for now.

 

So the thing is:

Will the rig run with the cheapo 600 W or will it "break"

 

Will my RAM run at 800 or will it blend ? (should I even try)

[mikeeginger]

I will talk about the CPU another time. 

This post has probably only been about the GPU and power supply and the RAM clock.

The CPU is fine and works for now.

 

So the thing is:

Will the rig run with the cheapo 600 W or will it "break"

 

Will my RAM run at 800 or will it blend ? (should I even try)

As a said get another power supply a cheep one could kill your system

For many many reasons just don't just don't 

 

And just get 1333 or 1600 mhz ram 

[Deli]

I will talk about the CPU another time. 

This post has probably only been about the GPU and power supply and the RAM clock.

The CPU is fine and works for now.

 

So the thing is:

Will the rig run with the cheapo 600 W or will it "break"

 

Will my RAM run at 800 or will it blend ? (should I even try.)

RAM runs at 1600MHz(800x2) or 1333MHz(666x2) is not a big deal in term of performance. If your RAM is rated at 1333MHz, stick with it. Try to overclock it to 1600MHz requires more than clicking the XMP in BIOS. So unless you know what you are doing.....

 

600W power supply is fine. Yours has a 80 plus bronze rating. Should be OK

[ADoby]

As a said get another power supply a cheep one could kill your system

For many many reasons just don't just don't 

 

And just get 1333 or 1600 mhz ram 

 

The question is will my current ram run at 800mhz without problems, not to get a new one, its new. 

Its rated at 1866mhz, but my CPU and Mainboard do not support that. So I don't have to overclock the RAM,

I just have to set the default clock. I know how to do that, but I don't know if they will run without problems.

 

The power supply is 80+ but that doesn't really mean much these days, does it

 

Its not a thread about HOW, its about IF

 

EDIT:

Again, I just wanna know IF I can set my ram to run at 800 without problems or not.

I use a lot of RAM heavy apps, and they will take use of the extra clock.

[Deli]

The question is will my current ram run at 800mhz without problems, not to get a new one, its new. 

Its rated at 1866mhz, but my CPU and Mainboard do not support that. So I don't have to overclock the RAM,

I just have to set the default clock. I know how to do that, but I don't know if they will run without problems.

 

The power supply is 80+ but that doesn't really mean much these days, does it

 

Its not a thread about HOW, its about IF

If your RAM is rated 1866MHZ, it's ok to run 1600MHz. The CPU and MB will work just fine. Hard to imagine any 8-series motherboard and i5 CPU cannot handle 1600MHZ RAM. Unless you're talking 2400MHz plus....

[ADoby]

If your RAM is rated 1866MHZ, it's ok to run 1600MHz. The CPU and MB will work just fine.

 

Okay, that's what I wanted to know.

 

So as an answer:

1. Upgrade power supply to a better brand maybe a bit more power for later upgrades.

2. RAM should run at 1600mhz dual channel just fine.

3. Above mainboard + CPU + GPU + ram (at 1600 dual channel) + new better brand power supply should run

4. Mainboard is able to run up to i7 4790K or T (Hard or unable to overclock with B85 chipset)

http://www.cpu-upgrade.com/mb-Intel_(chipsets)/B85.html

[Deli]

Okay, that's what I wanted to know.

 

So as an answer:

1. Upgrade power supply to a better brand maybe a bit more power for later upgrades.

2. RAM should run at 1600mhz dual channel just fine.

3. Above mainboard + CPU + GPU + ram (at 1600 dual channel) + new better brand power supply should run

4. Mainboard is able to run up to i7 4790T (Hard or unable to overclock with B85 chipset)

I think you mean 4790K. I know some B87 motherboards can run Haswell refresh with BIOS update, but it isn't a guarantee. I hope other members will know your particular motherboard whether it's possible.

 

600W is actually more than enough to power your system. Only the quality and stability of the PSU are the main concerns.

[chodinglegend]

Hey guys. Will a i5 4460 or i3 4360 bottleneck a gtx 970?

[ADoby]

It all depends on what games you play. 

This has been discussed somewhere else.

 

If you play games like Minecraft you won't need the GTX 970's power to play it.

If you play games like Battlefield 4 both CPU's might not be strong enough. (The i3 should have problems)

You can take a look at CPU comparison charts where CPU's are compared with the same GPU.

This will tell you if a CPU upgrade can give you an advantage in those tested games or not.

 

The i3 is pretty slow in multithreaded operations and I don't think you should try to pair

a 2 core CPU in any Gaming-System today.