h8-1111 GPU Upgrade --> Radeon HD6670 to NVIDIA GeForce 560Ti (possibly OEM)

[arnaud34]

Hello HP

I have been offered a better GPU than the one my desktop came with originally.

I am currently having issues understanding if it would work with the current motherboard I have just as the old Radeon GPU did.. Spec reading is confusing so I just wanted the insight of someone else who might have a better understanding of all the words I am reading both from HP and NVIDIA.

So far all I can get from this is:

-I need two  2x 4-to-6 pin PCI Express power connection adapters to power this "beast" since my desktop only came with a bunch of 4 pin power connectors

-My power source is only 300W internal (not so sure if that is the "amount" of power available for the hardware) whence spec readings of the NVIDIA card recommend 400W power source.

So here are Questions!

What potential risks are there to asking "too much" from my power source i.e. conecting a more "power hungry" GPU?

Does this NVIDIA card seem to phisically fit on that motherboard using the PCI x16 port?

(This thing is huge, its basicaly 4 times the colume of my card...)

Spec sheets I have used-->

My original desktop 

Motherboard

Radeon HD6670 GPU

GTX 560Ti OEM (from GeForce)

GTX 560Ti installation guide (PDF from NVIDIA; this one is for a slightly different card, yet it shows the same ports with the exeption of the mini HDMI port)

[Big_Dave · Accepted solution]

Hi,

Rule #1: Stick with the graphics card manufactuer's PSU wattage size recommendation.

Rule #2: If your PC is not running a version 8 or higher BIOS then you will need to use a legacy graphics card.

The NVIDIA GTX 660 or 670 would be excellent graphics cards for your PC when supported by a 500-600 watt PSU.

[wb2001]

The GTX 560Ti has 2 versions.   Just how long is this card?  The 400W PSU is too weak, you need at least a 500W, but I would prefer you install a Corsair CX600W.  Ample watts, and it will idle better. The install will cover the PCIEx1 slot next to the PCIEx16 slot. If you need to move a card, it's OK. 

Your BIOS is 7.12, so it is legacy. @Big_Dave makes some excellent points, but you said you'd been offered  the GTX 560Ti.

[arnaud34]

I measured the card to 9 inches so that would point towards the classic edition.

It also bears a sticker on it showing its standard memory config is 1280 MB, which hints to the "limited edition 448 cores" one, confusing me now like when I was trying to figure out exactly which one it was earlier too.. 

I have read up somewhere there are different types of BIOS, Legacy ringing a bell right now. I can't say I understand what point you are making here though.

[arnaud34]

According to @wb2001 my original BIOS is lower than 8 therefor Legacy.

In this case, would this mean that this becomes an issue of replacing the PSU, which would then means I could forget my 4-to-6 pins converters if I was going for a more recent unit?

I understand that there a better performance/value cards on the amrket but this is free at this point 😛

[wb2001]

The GTX 500 series would be Legacy. Stick with the Corsair CX600W. It has all the connectors you would need.