this post was submitted on 29 May 2024
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GPU upgrade options - compatible with existing PC? (lemmy.dbzer0.com)
submitted 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) by orivar@lemmy.dbzer0.com to c/buildapc@lemmy.world
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Hi everyone,

It's been many years since I've last built a PC from scratch or even upgraded any parts. I've been using a prebuilt Lenovo Legion Cube C530‐19ICB for several years now and I'm generally happy with it mostly because the case fits nicely in my living room cabinet (hooked up to the TV).

I have an option to purchase a new RTX 40 Series card in a few days for a decent price and I'm wondering which of these will be compatible to my existing PC:

  1. 4060Ti (8GB)

  2. 4070 Super

  3. 4080 Super

I assume I need to check dimensions (not sure if everything has a standard like "full height" etc.) and PSU Watts (how strict are these requirements?). Not sure if there's PCI type/width issues or anything else I need to cover, or what do I get the info for both my PC and each card from.

If anyone can help guide me through figuring out which of these cards could be compatible, I'd appreciate it a lot!

Edit: Seems like the 4080 is too much for my current build (card length, PSU, etc.) but both the 4070 and 4060 could work. Thanks everyone for your advice!

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[–] Vinny_93@lemmy.world 7 points 5 months ago (2 children)

Most current GPUs use PCIe 4.0, some of them x8, but they will still work in PCIe 3.0 x16. It's a bandwidth thing.

Besides that I'd say take the TDP of the GPU, say it's 200W, double that and you'll be fine. Usually they'd say add all of your components's maximum power, multiply by 2 and that's your PSU. With current PSUs, they are efficient enough to manage 65-70% at maximum efficiency. Your GPU is the biggest power draw. Say your total system uses 450W and you have a 500W PSU, your PSU will run less efficiently but your system will still work fine.

Another consideration is your current CPU. Your CPU prepares every frame for your GPU to render. If your CPU is a lil older, it may bottleneck your GPU, ie it will have to work too hard to keep your GPU busy.

Your GPU is your most powerful component and every other component influences whether it can reach its maximum potential.

[–] Telorand@reddthat.com 2 points 5 months ago

I forget where I saw the data, but you can aim for ≈70-80% power saturation on a Gold or better PSU, and you won't lose anything meaningful in the way of efficiency or longevity (might spin the fan more often).

Double is good for future upgrades, but since this is an older pre-built, they could cut costs that way and still be alright.

[–] orivar@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (1 children)

I've provided some more details on CPU, memory in a previous reply. Basically it's an i7-9700 with 16GB of RAM.

It does only have a PCIe 3.0 x16 slot, but I think both the 4070 Super and the 4060ti are 4.0 x8, right? So you're saying total bandwidth should be fine?

I think the 4080 is off the table for reasons other than PCI.

As for the PSU, I have a 500W one. It seems like TDP for the 4070 Super is 220W and for the 4060ti is 165W. You're saying 500W should be able to easily support either?

Nvidia recommends 650W and 550W respect, but if it's more of an issue of longevity or limited peak performance I don't mind.

The 4080 Super with a TDP of 320W and recommended 750W is probably too much of a stretch though...

[–] Vinny_93@lemmy.world 2 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Yeah I think the 4070 will do nicely but in time you will need a new psu. I have a 4070 myself and I find it a decent card.

[–] orivar@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Do you mean a new PSU for any future upgrades, or that I'm pushing it a bit hard with the 4070 and it will give out at some point?

[–] Vinny_93@lemmy.world 1 points 5 months ago

A psu doesn't give out because of load, it gives out because of broken components. Heat might damage a psu but this is just wear. And your GPU will not be using 225W at every point.

It's important to realise how power is drawn from the psu by all components. With normal usage, your components will still ask short burst peaks of power, which is partly the reason to go with large overhead capacity. Your 500W psu might have to deliver 600 or 700 for a millisecond and do this just fine. But a 700W psu does this more comfortably.

So what I'm saying is your 500W psu is fine, until it's not. If your pc turns off under heavy load, the psu is the first part I'd consider upgrading.

[–] Telorand@reddthat.com 5 points 5 months ago (1 children)
  • What processor do you have?
  • How many watts is your current PSU?
  • How much RAM do you have?
[–] orivar@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 5 months ago
  • i7-9700
  • 500W
  • 16GB

I'm thinking 4080 will not fit in size, will be too much for my PSU and might hit other bottlenecks like PCI. But 4070 Super is still on the table. WDYT?

[–] hsdkfr734r@feddit.nl 2 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (1 children)

Yes.

Pcie x16 slot? (you could look up in the board manual how fast it is - number of lanes and pcie version. But basically the standard is downwards compatible - newer cards work in older slots, but slower. )

Dimensions: does it fit in the case? Is the cooling (outtake of the case) sufficient?

Power supply ready? Check if the psu (power supply unit) delivers enough power to supply the new gpu. Check if there are the right plugs/ cables to feed the gpu - some require one 75w-connector, some even two.

[–] orivar@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Seems like it's a PCIe 3.0 x16 slot. Do you think I should expect a significant bottleneck here? Enough to make the 4070 Super not worth it compared to the 4060ti?

I tried to figure the measurement the best I could, I hope I'm right. Can't really say regarding cooling, is there really a way to know beforehand?

[–] hsdkfr734r@feddit.nl 2 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

Seems like it's a PCIe 3.0 x16 slot. Do you think I should expect a significant bottleneck here? Enough to make the 4070 Super not worth it compared to the 4060ti?

If I understand it correctly, the pcie version affects the transfer speed for data (i.e. textures) between the system ram and the gpu ram, only. This shouldn't affect game performance much if the gpu itself has enough RAM. When it has 12 or even 16GB I wouldn't worry too much. The gpu doesn't work slower if it doesn't have to wait for data from the Mainboard.

I tried to figure the measurement the best I could, I hope I'm right. Can't really say regarding cooling, is there really a way to know beforehand?

Measurements: 3 slots wide starting from the pcie slot measuring on the direction where the other slots are away from the cpu) . Height: Full height of a PCIe card. The limiting factor should be the length of the card.

Cooling: if there is a second 120mm case fan that blows warm air outside of the case (besides the one in the psu) you should be fine. If not: can you add one in the case? Mainboards often have one or more pin headers to connect the fan to (should be 4 pins). Just check the thermal sensor readings of gpu, CPU, board and add more fans if needed. ;) the pc can't break, it just gets slower or in the worst case does a shutdown.

[–] Vinny_93@lemmy.world 1 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Something else to consider is whether your PSU has enough slots for PCIe power cables. The modular ones often provide plenty. But an older psu might not have 2x8 pins the 4070 needs.

[–] orivar@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (2 children)

Hmm, is this something I can get an adapter for (not sure if voltage is different for different connectors coming out of the PSU)?

I believe this is my exact PSU: https://www.ipc-computer.eu/laptop-spare-parts/internal-power-supplies/internal-power-supplies-ps-8501-2vb-78891202

Doesn't look like it has 2*8 pin connectors

Edit: actually, it has one 8 and one 6+2 (I assume a split connector I can use in either configuration). WDYT?

[–] Coconut1233@lemmy.world 1 points 5 months ago

6+2 is fine, but please! don't use PSU "adaptors" unless you absolutely know what are you doing, or are ok with your house burning down

[–] Vinny_93@lemmy.world 1 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Yeah 6+2 works for PCIe.

[–] orivar@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 5 months ago

Awesome, thanks!

[–] maniel@sopuli.xyz 1 points 4 months ago

4060Ti would be cool, i mean, your i7-9700 would likely bottleneck it