upgrading nvidia gt545

[shrewlet]

I am currently running a Nvdia GT545 in my H8-1230z. all of the components are stock from the factory. 

AMD FX (tm) - 8120

8 core processor

3.10 GHZ

8.00 RAM

Win 7 64 bit OS.

Will this system listed above support a better Video card and can the memory be bumped higher than 8Gb?

Thank you.

Shrewlet

[old_geekster · Accepted solution]

Shrewlet, welcome to the forum.

I will begin with your last question about memory.  Here is the memory upgrade information for the motherboard:

• Dual channel memory architecture
• Four 240-pin DDR3 DIMM sockets
• Supports DDR3 DIMMs
  • PC3 10600 (DDR3-1333)
  • PC3 12800 (DDR3-1600)
• Non-ECC memory only, unbuffered
• Supports up to 16 GB on 64-bit systems
• Supports up to 4 GB on 32-bit* systems

 note:

32-bit systems cannot address a full 4.0 GB of memory

The motherboard supports dual channel architecture.  This means that it is best to install memory modules in pairs.  This may mean that you will have to remove some of the existing memory.  Here is the memory that is recommended by Crucial Memory.

Now, for the video card.  Newer video cards require UEFI in the motherboard instead of a standard BIOS.  The last series of cards that didn't require UEFI were the GT 640's.  Depending which power supply unit (PSU) you chose when you bought the computer, you may have to upgrade it, also.  The newer cards require at least 400W to operate properly.  I suggest that you choose a manufacturer and contact their Tech Support for help with choosing the best card for your computer.  This will save you some frustration.  They know which of their cards will work.

Please click the Thumbs up + button if I have helped you and click Accept as Solution if your problem is solved.

[Jay_101]

Greetings,

Your PC supports the following graphics cards:

GeForce GT 530 (2 GB)

• GeForce GT 545 (3 GB)
• GeForce GTX 550i (1 GB)
• GeForce GTX 580 (1.5 GB)
• Radeon HD 6850 (1 GB)
• Radeon HD 7570 (1 GB)
• Radeon HD 7570 (2 GB)
• Radeon HD 7670 (1 GB)
• Radeon HD 7770 (2 GB)
• Radeon HD 7950 (3 GB)

You can also expand memory to 16GB.

Dual channel memory architecture

• Four 240-pin DDR3 DIMM sockets
• Supports DDR3 DIMMs
  • PC3 10600 (DDR3-1333)
  • PC3 12800 (DDR3-1600)
• Non-ECC memory only, unbuffered
• Supports up to 16 GB on 64-bit systems
• Supports up to 4 GB on 32-bit* systems

You would have to check existing installed modules and then either add memory to open slots using the exact same type.

Cheers!

[shrewlet]

Thank you both for the advice. I will look into getting the items that you recommend and perhaps upgrade the PSU as well.

I appreciate your time!

Shrewlet

[Jay_101]

Hi old_geekster,

I have a question in reference to the GT 640 series graphics cards.

My 810-150 came with a GTX 645.

Is the GT vs GTX the determining factor?

Thanks.

[old_geekster]

@Jay_101

---

@Jay_101 wrote:

Hi old_geekster,

I have a question in reference to the GT 640 series graphics cards.

My 810-150 came with a GTX 645.

Is the GT vs GTX the determining factor?  Not necessarily.  In your instance, HP has their motherboards and video cards made to their specs.  Therefore, they are not the same as a retail version of either.  The video card is made to work with the power supply unit (PSU) that came installed.  Your motherboard came with UEFI.  This means you are not bothered by the limitation.

Thanks.

---

[Jay_101]

Hi,

Stil fuzzy on this.

I installed an EVGA GTX 970 FTW 4GB graphics card in the 810-150se. It works fine. The 810 is EFI, the 970 is EFI.

I was under the impression a legacy graphics card would not work on UEFI systems. Is this incorrect?

What am I missing? Trying to process the EFI install versus legacy install, what works on what system, and what is incompatible.

It is very confusing.

Need to know this as it is causing anxiety.

[old_geekster]

@Jay_101

You have joined the club of confusion.

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@Jay_101 wrote:

Hi,

Still fuzzy on this.

I installed an EVGA GTX 970 FTW 4GB graphics card in the 810-150se. It works fine. The 810 is EFI, the 970 is EFI.  This is correct.  You would not be able to install the GTX 970 in a motherboard with a Legacy (standard) BIOS.  As you said, it requires UEFI in the motherboard.  HP began using UEFI in their motherboards in mid-October, 2012.  Your computer was released in 2013 with UEFI.

I was under the impression a legacy graphics card would not work on UEFI systems. Is this incorrect?  Yes, it is correct.  Although, some of the newer cards have a switch (MSI) that will allow them to work with either Legacy or UEFI.  Also, some manufacturers (EVGA) have developed a VBIOS update for their cards.  This allows them to work with a Legacy BIOS.

What am I missing? Trying to process the EFI install versus legacy install, what works on what system, and what is incompatible.  As I said in my previous post, the GT 640 series cards were the last to run with a Legacy BIOS without some changes.  Also, UEFI requires Win 8.0/8.1.

It is very confusing.  I hope this helps you understand the difference in Legacy and UEFI.

Need to know this as it is causing anxiety.   I normally have members choose a manufacturer and contact their Tech Support for help with choosing the best video card for their computers.  It is nearly impossible to know which newer cards will work with older computers.

---

[arynadj]

Hi, I need help, my computer is hp h8-1100z
This is the motherboard model,
Manufacturer: Gigabyte M3970AM-HP
HP: Angelica
Chipset
AMD 970
I need a video card for my Asus 2560 x1440 PB258Q monitor
I currently have the GeForce 730 I can not see in definition 2560x 1440
What is your recommendation. ..?

Mininon

[kevin-t]

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