GPU upgrade

Hello everyone!

I want to upgrade my gpu but I'm not sure what I can upgrade to. I'm not sure what's compatible with my setup and I'm not sure how to even figure that out. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Here are my system specs:

Pre-built Digital Storm Marauder - Level 4

Processor: Intel Core i5 3570K 3.40 GHz (Unlocked CPU) (Quad Core) (Requires Z77 Motherboard)

Motherboard: ASUS P8Z77-V LX (Intel Z77 Chipset)

System Memory: 16GB DDR3 1600MHz Corsair Vengeance Series (High-Performance)

Power Supply: 600W Corsair GS

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB (Includes PhysX)

Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO (High Performance Cooler)

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium (64-Bit Edition)

Nothing is or ever has been overclocked (not sure how to lol). I'm basically trying to play fallout 4 on high or ultra and was thinking of getting a gtx 960 or better card but i'm confused about pci express 2, 3, etc and there being adapters between 6+2 and 8 pins. Any help would be greatly appreciated and thanks in advance!

Thank you bprat22! That helps immensely! I appreciate your help! Thank you! Thank you!

To hijack this thread... I want to upgrade my 670 to 970 and seems an easy upgrade but any advise on what company for the 970? You have Asus, Gigabyte, EVGA, etc. and there can be $50 or less difference between them and I'm not sure just deciding on price is the best way. Any thoughts how to weed the company choices down?

I bought the MSI gtx 970 Gamer 4G a few months ago.   My research showed the same result.    EVGA is known for excellent support, so can't knock them. They did have heat sink mis-alignment issues and Asus Strix has had a lot of complaints of coil-whine and a bit more noise.    MSI is  great card, custom cooling that keeps fans off until needed and quiet even with fans on.    

Just saying, you could throw in a GTX Titan X.

But all joking aside. I haven't ever had a cooler issue with EVGA. Their biggest thing was the alignment issues plus the coil whine, but the coil whine of the ACX coolers was the 1st gen on the 700 series. As for the 900 series... they are rock solid.

And Im using ASUS Strix 980 Ti's at the moment (feels weird not having EVGA). They are quiet, super fast, stay fairly cool... for air. I'm just not a fan of MSI or Gigabyte cards (as long as we're only referencing US cards, I really don't mess with EU cards at all.. Zotac and so forth).

Yea, the MSI lightning does dominate the meters from reviews. I'm sure the performance is there, but I'm a brand whore. I remember the days when MSI was just a cheaply made card and board. While their boards have come a long way, I guess I'm just stuck in the old age of the idea's of their cards.

I'm planning on either selling my three Strix and buying some classifieds from evga when I end up rebuilding my loops. EVGA just has great cards and great support. Perhaps I should look into MSI and consider giving them a try.

It'll go great.

Unplug the rig, stay static safe, either a wrist static strap or keep touching metal, unplug, remove the old, mount and hook cables to the new. Power up, let Windows do its dance and Enjoy.

Don't forget to hook up the monitor cable.    Nerves can make some forget.

Piece of cake to install and not sure what I was worried about....   

Hi jhdeerslayer,

I am sure you got your new 970 installed correctly but wanted to ask about the power connections. There is a good chance your 670 used 6+6 power connectors. If you got the MSI gtx 970 Gamer 4G card it will have 8+6 power connectors.   I was wondering if you used the 8+6 power for your card? If your new card is 6+6 power than you are good to go.

I hope you are having a blast with your new 970.

Frank

Edited by FrankW - 19 Nov 2015 at 7:34am

If you don't need it, and I don't think you do, don't use the converter cable.  Chances are its just fine but it is another source of potential bad connection issues.  

Your psu PCIe cables should be the 6+2 cables.   Just cut the tie-wrap and use directly.

Of course, with it working so great, I'm sure you won't .    Can't blame ya. 

Windows 10 upgrade from win7 , for me, with both my 4 year old DS and 7 year old 'other' rig, was a piece of cake. I did my brothers laptop also.

I just downloaded the media creation files , sat back and watched it work. I used the manual, media creation tool, because MS never put me in Q.