compatibility question

J

jj101

New Member
ok i dont know very much about computers only a little. was looking for some help here any is greatly appreciated.

here is my current motherboard: http://usa.asus.com/Motherboards/AMD_AM3/M4A78TE/#specifications


here is the processor i am installing: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103871


this is the graphics card i want: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...yMark=False&IsFeedbackTab=true#scrollFullInfo


my question is, will the card i want be compatible with my rig? and run optimally. thanks alot.
 
Yes, the video card will be fine, providing you have at least a 600-650 watt power supply from a reputable company. Also make sure that you have bios version 2303 or higher installed or the cpu won't work.
 
i only have a 500 watt power supply, why do i need 600 or 650 when the specs on the graphics card say 500 watt minimum, do you think it wont be able to run it? not trying to undermine you im just trying to understand the reason and figure out if im better off finding a smaller graphics card or saying screw it and going with a bigger power supply also.

also what is bios? is that a program or something? and why do i need it / where can i get it? all help is greatly appreciated.
 
What brand of PSU do you have? A 500 watt apriva will not give the same power as a 400 watt Antex for example. The Antec will put out more power.

BIOS= Basic Input / Output System. It is the .rom that the motherboard uses to control the hardware connected to it. You get BIOS from the manufacturer of your board. You can check what version you have in CPUz under the Mainboard tab, Version number (under subsection BIOS).
 
my power supply is an antec earthwatts, model EA-500d

i already had a graphics card in there and was just going to keep it incase i wanted 2 monitors, but will i have to upgrade my power supply if i do this? also if i drop the old card and just use the new 1, do you think my power supply will handle it? by the way im hooking up a 40 inch samsung tv as the monitor. will the system handle it? thanks alot
 
That should be an okay supply. It should work.

Say what now? If you put in a 7870, then you can run 3 or more screens off of it. You don't need 2 cards for 2 monitors on any system.

It will work. But Resolution over size. 2560*1440 on a 10" screen is double as hard to power as 1280*720 on a 50" screen.
 
dude you just like enlightened me brah, i didnt know 1 card could run multiple monitors. i figured it could only do 1 cus ya know there only 1 hdmi slot hahahaha. the whole reason im even getting a new card is because my tv does not have dvi-i slot which my current card has. so i need to upgrade just because of the slot. you think i should just drop the old card? and keep my current power supply?
 
da fuq, the geek squad at best buy told me online adapters from dvi-i to hdmi wont work, and anything i see online is spliced. also they said dvi-d to hdmi exists but not dvi-i cus the pins are the older model and its "analog" no sound
 
DVI-a is the analog connector. DVI-i and DVI-d will both go to HDMI just fine. HDMI is just (in a very simple sense) DVI with audio. You will still need a Audio device (i.e. Speakers, or interconnect cable to the Tele) with the adapter.
DVI-d will work in a DVI-i plug, just not the other way round.

And for future reference, Geek Squad's sole job is to get you to buy the most expensive part they can talk you into. Don't reply on them for anything except lugging your items to the car.
 
dude thanks so much for helping me out, i was so lost in the technical nonsense trying to figure out what will and will not work.i think i still want the card just because its boss. so if i download my motherboards newest bios drivers, keep my 500 watt antec, and just throw the new card, ram, and processor in there it will all work spiffy?
 
should work just fine. The 7870 is a good card, you have a quality PSU. The processor is going to bottleneck a bit, but that should not be a major issue. You might be better matched with a 7770 or 7850, to reduce the bottleneck some.
 
does that mean i should have chosen a better processor? trying to build a gaming rig the best i can. i wasnt exactly sure what the best gaming processor my motherboard could handle.
 
Phenom II x4 960t or Phenom II x4 965/975/980 would be about the best you will get on that board. You can also overclock to relieve bottleneck if you feel you have the necessary patience.
 
meh, maybe ill be okay. i already ordered the processor this morning under the impression it was good for gaming. im only playing heroes of newerth so its not that graphic intense or too much to process, just the 40 inch im worried about.
might end up playing some shooters if i find the time.
 
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