Looking at getting a 960, or a 970+psu. What would you do?

[na118]

So I have a 2GB GTX 660 card at the moment and I'm looking to get a bit more out of 1080p gaming, mainly on titles releasing this fall, heavily modded skyrim, witcher 2/3, etc.  I was thinking the 960 would be a cheap and easy fix, as I wouldn't have to upgrade my 460W power supply but I'm not sure how long that would last before I need another upgrade.

 

Another option is the 970, with a 550W power supply since I'd be just under the power requirements.  If I was going big with the 970 I'd probably want to get the 4GB version, mainly because the "what if" factor would kill me.

 

So, money doesn't grow on trees around here but I'm willing to splurge a bit if it's really, really worth the extra $.  In my situation, what would you get? I've considered AMD but I want Gsync support and heat/noise is a factor since it is a computer also used in a sound studio setting.  I don't need a dead silent psu, just something not overtly noisy or known to whine (specific models of gpu and psu would be welcome)

 

Thanks!

[Mao_Zedong]

The 970 will use similar wattage to the 660, so you'll be fine. I think the 660 TDP is 140w, while the 970's is 150w. The 970 will be much better than the 960, so it is worth it.

[GM_Peka]

If you're scared about using too much power, you can always set a power limit in something like MSI Afterburner, but 460w should be able to handle it no problem at all.

 

I have an i7 4790k plus an overclocked 970 and I rarely see anything near 300 watts from the wall during gaming, and bare in mind, 460 is the amount supplied to the computer, from the wall will always be 5-15% higher than that.

[Antibull]

I can recommend a EVGA g2 psu with hybrid mode, Corsair RM , i've had those two they are great, 

[Equilibrium_FOOL]

What are your other specs, it may be time to upgrade other components.

[Coollok100]

As others have mentioned, the 970 may well fit into your power budget here, meaning you won't necessarily need to upgrade your PSU. Really, it comes down to a matter of how much you are willing to spend on a new graphics card. I'd probably go with the 960, but at the same time I'm not really considering upgrading my 660 at the current moment, so it's really up to you.

[Tim Drake]

I can recommend a EVGA g2 psu with hybrid mode, Corsair RM , i've had those two they are great, 

Please don't recommend a Corsair RM..

 

That is the definition of overpriced Power Supply..

[na118]

If you're scared about using too much power, you can always set a power limit in something like MSI Afterburner, but 460w should be able to handle it no problem at all.

 

I have an i7 4790k plus an overclocked 970 and I rarely see anything near 300 watts from the wall during gaming, and bare in mind, 460 is the amount supplied to the computer, from the wall will always be 5-15% higher than that.

Ah gotcha, yeah never used Afterburner but sounds like that would take care of it. I have a i5 3470 which takes 40W less than your cpu so I should be good then.  970 it is then if I don't have to drop another $70+ on a psu, that's a no brainer

[AdamH96]

A 970 would be ideal as it can push out 40-60fps in The Witcher 3 at Ultra 1080p and has a very good price/performance ratio. Even with my rig I can't seem to pull more than 390 watts from the wall and I have thrown everything I have at it lol. My CPU isn't OC (it has a 140w TDP though) but my GPU is OC with a 120% power target. Your power supply would be a little bit closer to its maximum out put, but it should be fine. If you want a quiet PSU look at some Be Quiet! PSUs, as I think they have some good ones.

[i_build_nanosuits]

I have a i5 3470

GTX 970 + i5-3470 will run on a 460W PSU no problem...if it's a good unit...that CPU is a bit on the weak side for such a powerful card though, but it should be fine for most games out there.

Check to make sure the PSU has the proper power cables for the card though...you might have to use a molex to 6pin adapter (come with the graphics card..free)

 

What PSU do you have in your system ATM and how old it is?

[0ld_Chicken]

I would advise getting a 970. I bought a 960 and really wish I had gotten a 970. I was worried about power like you (I'm using a cs 430m) And it would've been worth it even if I had to upgrade the psu (seems like maybe you don't have to from what others are saying, depends on what psu you have exactly)

[na118]

Thanks all for the replies, LTT forums are the best.  Looks like it will be a 970 then.

 

I only have a 6 pin connector (with another 6 pin daisy chained), so unless there's a workaround I'll have to get a new psu.  But on that note, is there a way to power a 2x6 pin card from the 6 pin connectors my psu has?  I am completely clueless about how powering components works

[stconquest]

Thanks all for the replies, LTT forums are the best.  Looks like it will be a 970 then.

 

I only have a 6 pin connector (with another 6 pin daisy chained), so unless there's a workaround I'll have to get a new psu.  But on that note, is there a way to power a 2x6 pin card from the 6 pin connectors my psu has?  I am completely clueless about how powering components works

 

The guy above posted a pic... molex to PCIE adapter.  GTX 970 is around 170W at max load, you should be fine.

 

http://www.guru3d.com/articles-pages/geforce-gtx-970-sli-review,4.html

[19_blackie_73]

So I have a 2GB GTX 660 card at the moment and I'm looking to get a bit more out of 1080p gaming, mainly on titles releasing this fall, heavily modded skyrim, witcher 2/3, etc.  I was thinking the 960 would be a cheap and easy fix, as I wouldn't have to upgrade my 460W power supply but I'm not sure how long that would last before I need another upgrade.

 

Another option is the 970, with a 550W power supply since I'd be just under the power requirements.  If I was going big with the 970 I'd probably want to get the 4GB version, mainly because the "what if" factor would kill me.

 

So, money doesn't grow on trees around here but I'm willing to splurge a bit if it's really, really worth the extra $.  In my situation, what would you get? I've considered AMD but I want Gsync support and heat/noise is a factor since it is a computer also used in a sound studio setting.  I don't need a dead silent psu, just something not overtly noisy or known to whine (specific models of gpu and psu would be welcome)

 

Thanks!

i'd take the 970, no psu (except you have a crappy psu): my rig under full load 230W, should be enough headroom;-)

[ScaryFatKidGT]

1. You should be fine the 970 is like 125w? and 2. All 970's are 4(3.5+.5)GB's

[stconquest]

1. You should be fine the 970 is like 125w? and 2. All 970's are 4(3.5+.5)GB's

 

Please, I know you are trying to help... BUT 125W?  If the link to a review of the GTX 970 was not less than half a page upwards I would not be so bothered by your misinformation.

 

Where do you get your numbers? 

[MMKing]

460W is more than enough for a 970. It's not ideal, and you should change it, but if it's from a reputable bran it should not be a problem.

[ScaryFatKidGT]

Please, I know you are trying to help... BUT 125W?  If the link to a review of the GTX 970 was not less than half a page upwards I would not be so bothered by your misinformation.

 

Where do you get your numbers? 

 

 

I was off by 20

 

Total Power Draw : 145 Watts

[stconquest]

I was off by 20

 

Total Power Draw : 145 Watts

 

You should look to the technical reviews for load power consumption.  The 970 will ask for around 170W at 100% load... slightly more with an overclock.