Needs assistance with an upgrade.
Needs assistance with an upgrade.
Hello everyone. I have a setup I’d like some guidance on. My PC runs an I7-3770 with a GTX 1650 that has 4GB of OC and 16GB of DDR3 RAM. It’s using an old MOBO from HP, specifically the HP 3396 found in the Elite 8300 CMT, which has a large case. I’m thinking about getting a GTX 1660 Super and a new 600W PSU to utilize more CPU power. My GPU is at 99% during most games while my CPU stays between 60-80%. My goal is to optimize performance, and I know the GTX1650 isn’t great as a card. Will the MOBO affect the PSU I end up with? I understand you should use an ATX PSU when using an ATX MOBO, but can any MOBO handle high-wattage supplies like 300-800W? Also, can my MOBO fit the GTX1660 Super as long as it fits in the slot and gets the right PSU? Lastly, is there a way to check if I have an ATX PSU built into Windows? I plan to upgrade the MOBO and case, but I’m limited by budget. I want to focus on what I can improve first before making the purchase. Let’s see how it goes!
Ensure your motherboard supports either a 4 or 8 pin CPU connector and includes a 24-pin expansion slot. With these features, any compatible power supply should work. A 300W rating isn't sufficient for a 1660 Super, but it's feasible to attempt. I still wouldn't suggest this setup. If you plan to purchase the 1660 now and add a power supply later, set your MSI Afterburner power limit to 80% during the 300W phase.
Also, you said a bigger power supply might increase the power your cpu can use. Thats not how it works. Power supplies don't force power into components. The component just demands power, if the power supply can handle it everything is fine, if not you will crash. There is no way it is using lets say 50 watts now and 80 watts with a better power supply. Since overloading power supply's is a bad thing tho, id deffo recommend either buying the 1660 with a power supply straight away. Or buy the power supply within a few months. You DO NOT want an old 300w HP power supply ruining your stuff.
Allright, thanks! I’ll review my case and confirm it’s ATX. It seems most modern power supplies can just change cables, right? I found a 650W and a 750W modular PSU for 80 and 115 Euros. Then I bought the GTX1660 Super with 6GB VRAM for 229 Euros. Is this a solid upgrade over the GTX1650 to the GTX1660 Super 6GB? And is spending 310 Euros justified?
The 1660 Super offers about 60% speed boost over the 1650, making it a solid upgrade for around 230 Euros. You’ll likely need a replacement power supply, as mentioned earlier, but spending more isn’t necessary unless you’re moving to a much newer processor lineup. The new MB is useful only if you switch to a platform with 8th+ generation Intel or Ryzen; otherwise, it won’t add much value. My suggestion is to upgrade the GPU and PSU first, then reuse them in a future build.