Changing my graphics card

[SemJMClo]

Hi there!

 

I'm a new user here... and I basically just created this account to ask one question, since I know I'll get reliable information here

 

My current GPU is a nVidia GeForce GTX 745 (OEM) which came with my HP machine. The GPU-Z info is in the attached files, and it uses 55 W.

I want to change my GPU to an MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming, 4 GB of GDDR5 memory. It uses 145 W.

 

Obviously this is an upgrade, but I wanted to know if my stock system could handle it.

The power supply and motherboard are stock. The motherboard is an HP 2AF7. The power supply is 180 W.

 

It seems strange to me the the GeForce GTX 745 uses 55 W when nVidia recommends a 300 W power supply, and I don't have any trouble with my 180 W power supply.

 

SO.. can I install this video card (MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming, 4 GB of GDDR5 memory) without trouble or do I need to upgrade anything else??

[zlolslavez]

you are definitely going to need to upgrade your power supply to at least 500 watts.

would only be around 30$ though.

[Janezzz]

Definetly should get a 450W-500W PSU Minimum.

[Exp]

You'll definitely need an upgrade on the PSU. I doubt your current PSU even has the PCIe connectors for the 970. In one of LinusTechTips' new video, I believe they saw the PSU pull more power than it's advertised wattage, but only up to a certain extent. I definitely wouldn't rely on that.

 

It'd also be worth noting what CPU you have, to see if it will bottleneck the beefy GTX 970.

[nikolaizombie1]

-snip-

 

 

i can't stress this enough please make sure that the 970 is compatible with the bios, some hp machines don't let gpu's with external power to boot in the system

this happened to me and it sucked

and as for psu recommendation's i would choose the corsair cs 450m is a 80+ gold psu and it's modular 

[blackadder]

i can't stress this enough please make sure that the 970 is compatible with the bios, some hp machines don't let gpu's with external power to boot in the system

this happened to me and it sucked

and as for psu recommendation's i would choose the corsair cs 450m is a 80+ gold psu and it's modular

<<follow this also make sure you have a pci lane of 2.0 or 3.0, for a cheap upgrade that will work with your pc a 750ti is the only card i can think of without changing a few components.

[SemJMClo]

Thanks for your replies!

I was certain my PSU had to be upgraded, so that's fine by me.

I'm not certain what the BIOS doe sfor the graphics card, and how they are connected.

The attached pictures are of the inside of my PC and the motherboard withoud any other components.

I hope you guys can work something out for me, or if I should reconsider getting another card like the 780Ti.

 

As far as my CPU goes, I have an Intel Core i7-4790S @ 3.20 GHz, with 4 cores and 8 threads. So I think bottlenecking shouldn't be one of my worries.