[GFX] Few questions regarding GPU upgrade

[battlefielder]

Hello all,

My current GPU (A Sapphire HD7970 OC purchased last year) is faulty and i sent it back to retailer for them to send back to distro for rma. CPU is an i5-3470, PSU is a Seasonic 620w bronze. Have the urge to pick up the ASUS GTX 970 but felt like coming on here to ask the pros. (PC noob here :/)

1) Will my CPU be a bottleneck for the 970?
2) IIRC the 970 has a lower TDP than the 7970, would i have any power related problems if i stick with my current PSU?
3) Is it worth the upgrade from a 7970, if i plan on keeping the rma'd 7970 as a spare and prob sell it off somewhere else?

All other tips & advices are greatly appreciated, thanks in advance and have a naise day! :3

 

[Alternative X]

1) No, there will be no bottlenecks.

2) You won't, a 500W PSU is good enough to run your system.

3) It should be worth the upgrade in terms of GPU performance and peak power consumption.

4) Just wondering though, must the GTX 970 be an Asus? There are far cheaper GTX 970s out there, some cheaper by $100+.

 

[battlefielder]

Thanks for the reply

1) No, there will be no bottlenecks.

2) You won't, a 500W PSU is good enough to run your system.

3) It should be worth the upgrade in terms of GPU performance and peak power consumption.

4) Just wondering though, must the GTX 970 be an Asus? There are far cheaper GTX 970s out there, some cheaper by $100+.

I heard that the ASUS card seems to be better than MSI/EVGA ones. Are there ones out there that are even better? I plan on getting it from PCThemes, but they don't sell EVGA cards.. Looking for best performance with a $600 budget.

 

[shadow84]

I heard that the ASUS card seems to be better than MSI/EVGA ones. Are there ones out there that are even better? I plan on getting it from PCThemes, but they don't sell EVGA cards.. Looking for best performance with a $600 budget.

The best and most ex asus card has the same chance other brands has in failing. So, asus =/= wun fail.

 

[battlefielder]

The best and most ex asus card has the same chance other brands has in failing. So, asus =/= wun fail.

Hey Shadow, any models/brands that you'd recommend?

Also, PS for another noob question here, would there be any probs with the GPU being mounted on my mobo/case?

 

[shadow84]

Hey Shadow, any models/brands that you'd recommend?

Cheapest - Zotac 970 twin fan
2nd cheapest - MSI 970 Armour
Cool card with good features - MSI 970 TF5 gaming
Slightly better cooling card but slightly more ex - Gigabyte 970 G1 gaming

I wun consider palit since based on reviews, their cooling isnt good. Design of cooler nvr change much. Height is 2.5 slots.

If u want to do watercooling for gpu, then just go for zotac 970 twin fan or palit 970 ref cooler (if still have). If want good cooling, i suggest MSI 970. Buy at lazada on Mon to get 10% off with Mastercard, max amount is $50 unless its unlimited.

Most 970 shld be able to fit into ur T28. Just google each lengths, as long as dun overshoot 30cm, it shld b fine.

 

[battlefielder]

Cheapest - Zotac 970 twin fan
2nd cheapest - MSI 970 Armour
Cool card with good features - MSI 970 TF5 gaming
Slightly better cooling card but slightly more ex - Gigabyte 970 G1 gaming

I wun consider palit since based on reviews, their cooling isnt good. Design of cooler nvr change much. Height is 2.5 slots.

Hmm... But why no recommend ASUS at all? Their cooler not worth the ex price???

 

[Mikiberry]

Hmm... But why no recommend ASUS at all? Their cooler not worth the ex price???

Yeap, Asus 970s non-ref coolers atm are not worth the hefty premium.

 

[shadow84]

Hmm... But why no recommend ASUS at all? Their cooler not worth the ex price???

If u see benchmarks, MSI is quieter than ASUS. Also, MSI has that dragon LED at the side which looks nice.

And im not a fan of Ban Leong service centre. May be different case for you.

So, u can try asus or msi.

 

[and_who]

Ban Leong has improved their service dramatically recently. Of course remains to be seen if they keep it up but it's quite encouraging.

Bought a 970 strix and so far it's great. Oc's to 15++ boost and 7800 on memory

 

[mqz512]

which card is the shortest? need to fit inside my small casing

 

[Jian19]

Zotac gtx970 twin fan ~ $448 @ pctheme . Roughly 21cm

Leadtek gtx970 OC ~ $509 @ pctheme. Roughly 22cm

 

[battlefielder]

Decided

Zotac gtx970 twin fan ~ $448 @ pctheme . Roughly 21cm

Leadtek gtx970 OC ~ $509 @ pctheme. Roughly 22cm

PS for late reply hopefully you'll see this in the morning.

I think im going to hoot the MSI GTX 970 Gaming 4G @ $579 from PCThemes. I doubt there'll be any problems with the size right? Compared the dimensions with my (sort of) "existing" card that i rma'd.. Seems to be about the same and doesn't exceed 30cm.

Thank chiu all a lot once again for all the bros who replied!!

 

[Mikiberry]

PS for late reply hopefully you'll see this in the morning.

I think im going to hoot the MSI GTX 970 Gaming 4G @ $579 from PCThemes. I doubt there'll be any problems with the size right? Compared the dimensions with my (sort of) "existing" card that i rma'd.. Seems to be about the same and doesn't exceed 30cm.

Thank chiu all a lot once again for all the bros who replied!!

Wait for Lazada 12/12 sales before committing to buy. Might be cheaper you know.

 

[FinalTidus]

Wait for Lazada 12/12 sales before committing to buy. Might be cheaper you know.

what is going on for 12/12????

Me interested to get the Zotac from PCT.

 

[Mikiberry]

what is going on for 12/12????

Me interested to get the Zotac from PCT.

Online coupon disc or something. I got my Asus 970 Stix for around 450 leh.

 

[FinalTidus]

Online coupon disc or something. I got my Asus 970 Stix for around 450 leh.

Wah...

How?? So 12/12 confirm have coupon?

 

[and_who]

Lazada discounts won't be as big as rakuten, from my recent experiences. Lazada has more variety of GPUs though

 

[Mikiberry]

Wah...

How?? So 12/12 confirm have coupon?

Xmas and festive seasons coming, Rakuten and Lazada is good for discount. Hold out abit bah, if die die need then get from PCThemes lor.

 

[FinalTidus]

Xmas and festive seasons coming, Rakuten and Lazada is good for discount. Hold out abit bah, if die die need then get from PCThemes lor.

Alamak... Wanted to rush to PCT to get today...

Looks like probably need to wait liao...

But don't know will have for Zotac GTX 970 or not? Scarly don't have then PCT OOS already by 12/12.