upgrading Mobo for Acer predator G3620

[st0ry88]

Hi Bros,

I have a desktop predator G3620, i have just bought a new gfx card for it. GTX 750ti and realize that a lot of people that bought this PC is unable to ungrade the gfx due to the bios or mobo problem.

I have intended to change the mobo, as i am not that IT savvy, can any1 advise 1 mobo that can fix into my existing predator casing and will not cost more than $300

sample of how it looks like inside predator G3620

http://core0.staticworld.net/images/article/2013/05/predator_interior_1160-100036768-orig.png

 

[Alternative X]

1) Very few OEM system builders will actually have a Bios whitelist for desktop systems as desktop systems tends to comes with different specs for the same series and thus it is in the interest of the OEM to actually have a Bios that can be used with as many systems and parts as possible to cut costs. Bios whitelists are usually seen with laptops and even that only affects wifi adapters due to the need to suit certification requirements.

2) Your motherboard has a PCI-E X16 slot, you can just pop in the GTX 750Ti into your system as all GPUs use the PCI-E X16 slot and thus your motherboard is compatible with any GPU in the market.

3) If you still wish to change your motherboard, do note that sometimes, OEM motherboards are made in custom sizes for use in a certain system only and aftermarket motherboards may not fit or have incompatiable screw alignments.

4) Changing motherboards will also require you to buy a new Windows license as your OEM license is actually tied to your old motherboard and you can't just ask Microsoft to just transfer the OEM license to your new motherboard as Microsoft has been rumoured to be quite strict about these things nowadays.

 

[st0ry88]

thanks for the response, i didnt know about the OEM windows thing.
From your info, i can see that you are using predator too. Other than upgrading your gfx card, did you upgrade others?

did you encounter any problem when you upgrade your gfx carD?

 

[Alternative X]

thanks for the response, i didnt know about the OEM windows thing.
From your info, i can see that you are using predator too. Other than upgrading your gfx card, did you upgrade others?

did you encounter any problem when you upgrade your gfx carD?

I also swapped out my PSU as the original PSU died on me.

I did not have any issues in upgrading my GPU as there is no Bios whitelist whatsoever. Just pop in the GPU, install the drivers and game away.

As you are using an AMD GPU, download Display Driver Uninstaller and run it in Safe Mode to remove the AMD drivers first before installing the Nvidia drivers to prevent driver conflicts.

May want to get an SSD in the future.

 

[st0ry88]

I also swapped out my PSU as the original PSU died on me.

I did not have any issues in upgrading my GPU as there is no Bios whitelist whatsoever. Just pop in the GPU, install the drivers and game away.

As you are using an AMD GPU, download Display Driver Uninstaller and run it in Safe Mode to remove the AMD drivers first before installing the Nvidia drivers to prevent driver conflicts.

May want to get an SSD in the future.

What should i do now b4 i insert the gfx card in? do i uninstall the current GT 630 driver i have 1st? i don't think i can install the 750 ti driver without inserting the card in.

 

[shadow84]

What should i do now b4 i insert the gfx card in? do i uninstall the current GT 630 driver i have 1st? i don't think i can install the 750 ti driver without inserting the card in.

Uninstall all Nvidia drivers, off com, remove 630, put in 750ti, boot up, go to nvidia website and download latest drivers.

 

[tungsten2]

Don't bother to put in the 750ti.
Its the stupid Acer motherboard that is controlling. Just change the mobo and all problems will be solved.

Acer is moving in the direction of old Compaq. See how they going to die a silent death.

 

[shadow84]

I suggest TS just try it... It wun kill ur gpu or anything... At most, put back your GT630 nia.

 

[st0ry88]

Tried.. Doesn't work.. Everything is running but com won't boot up.. Same as every1 that owns a g3620 and tried to change a gfx card.. They all mention going on windows 8 to disable secure boot in bios..

I think I will just change a mobo.. Any good recommendations? I need at 4 slot of ram and usb 3.0.. The rest I'm not sure.. I tried looking through asrock but mostly all comes with 2 ram slot only

 

[Alternative X]

Tried.. Doesn't work.. Everything is running but com won't boot up.. Same as every1 that owns a g3620 and tried to change a gfx card.. They all mention going on windows 8 to disable secure boot in bios..

I think I will just change a mobo.. Any good recommendations? I need at 4 slot of ram and usb 3.0.. The rest I'm not sure.. I tried looking through asrock but mostly all comes with 2 ram slot only

Before you buy anything, you can bring your rig and the GTX 750Ti to PC Care & Solutions, #02-32, Sim Lim Square and ask Nigel to help you to disable Secure Boot through the Bios and install the GPU for you. If it is still not possible, you may discuss with Nigel possible upgrade options.

Oh, before you actually go and buy a motherboard, do note that your CPU is a Sandy Bridge i7-3770 which requires a Socket 1155 motherboard. Socket 1155 motherboards are long phased out when the Haswell series of CPU are introduced along with Socket 1150 motherboards and thus you just can't cram a LGA 1155 socket CPU into a LGA 1150 motherboard, it is not going to fit. You are going to have to search high and low in SLS for a Socket 1155 motherboard as remaining stocks of LGA 1155 motherboards are quite few.

Thus, I would advice you to go to the shop listed above and ask Nigel for advice first before doing anything.

 

[shadow84]

Tried.. Doesn't work.. Everything is running but com won't boot up.. Same as every1 that owns a g3620 and tried to change a gfx card.. They all mention going on windows 8 to disable secure boot in bios..

I think I will just change a mobo.. Any good recommendations? I need at 4 slot of ram and usb 3.0.. The rest I'm not sure.. I tried looking through asrock but mostly all comes with 2 ram slot only

Go google matx layout for mounting. See whether the layout is the same as what your mobo has. Otherwise, the new mobo may not fit into ur case.

 

[st0ry88]

I am actually looking at this mobo
GIGABYTE - Motherboard - Socket 1155 - GA-H77M-D3H (rev. 1.0)

I think it should work with my chipset but I am not sure if this is a good choice.
And I am not sure if I can find this in sls

 

[st0ry88]

btw mine is only intel core i5 3450

 

[Alternative X]

I am actually looking at this mobo
GIGABYTE - Motherboard - Socket 1155 - GA-H77M-D3H (rev. 1.0)

I think it should work with my chipset but I am not sure if this is a good choice.
And I am not sure if I can find this in sls

I think that the remaining motherboards left in SLS are likely of the MATX H61 chipset, the ATX Z77 chipset and the Asus Maximus V.

 

[st0ry88]

I think that the remaining motherboards left in SLS are likely of the MATX H61 chipset, the ATX Z77 chipset and the Asus Maximus V.

what does those H61, B75 means? does it have much diff?

 

[st0ry88]

i saw these 2 board selling at PC theme, are they compatible?

MSI Global Z77 MPOWER
ASRock > Z77 Extreme4

 

[Alternative X]

what does those H61, B75 means? does it have much diff?

You see, Intel has standard chipset formats for manufacturers to mostly follow when manufacturing motherboards. Each chipset is intended for a different target market and thus have different features. (And price.)

H61 is for budget builders and have the least features.
B75 is for mainstream users like you and me. (And mostly everyone else.)
H77 is for people who want to use RAID on their HDDs. Comes with RAID support for HDDs, no need for a RAID card.
Z77 is for the enthusiast who does overclocking and have multiple GPU setups for maximum performance. (Not necessarily for gaming though.)

 

[Alternative X]

i saw these 2 board selling at PC theme, are they compatible?

MSI Global Z77 MPOWER
ASRock > Z77 Extreme4

They are, but whats in the price list may not actually be representive of what they have. Rather expensive too. A H61 motherboard should be just fine for your needs since you do not have much in the way of expansion options anyway. (What can you put in the smallish OEM casing anyway?)

The 2 Z77 motherboards are also of ATX size, they can't fit into the case anyway.

 

[st0ry88]

They are, but whats in the price list may not actually be representive of what they have. Rather expensive too. A H61 motherboard should be just fine for your needs since you do not have much in the way of expansion options anyway. (What can you put in the smallish OEM casing anyway?)

The 2 Z77 motherboards are also of ATX size, they can't fit into the case anyway.

i see i see, can you recommend me a H61 motherboard with USB 3.0 and 4 ram slot?

 

[Alternative X]

i see i see, can you recommend me a H61 motherboard with USB 3.0 and 4 ram slot?

I can't. You see, the budget H61 chipset normally does not have USB 3.0 support and only 2 RAM slots. If you want these things, you are going to have to get a B75 motherboard. Besides, there is no knowing what H61 motherboards are left and there is very little choices left anyway.

However, if you do not mind refurbished stuff, CDL has some refurbished motherboards for clearance. Do call first to confirm stock avaliability.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...T090ekZzdFMtQUFOb0NoZ2ZfM0E&usp=sharing#gid=0

If really really desperate, can consider buying from Newegg. They have quite a lot of LGA 1155 mobos left. Do note that their shipping rates are quite the killer for your wallet. Can also buy from Amazon. No local warranty though.