PC hardware forum: Upgrading Gateway DX4860 with ATI HD 7970 ?

While the HD 6670 2gb is still running all the games, it can be lagging and not that good with shooters.
Most of the time, i must turn the shadows all the way down and even more options. I rarely play a game from 2012 with ultra setting, even very high. At normal settings and my usual 1920p i can't quite get enough FPS to get a really smooth gaming experience. Also, i wish to get a card that will let me play game on ultra or high settings for at least 1-2 years without worrying about upgrading. ALSO this card is only about 360 $ with 3 free games. So i think its a good choice.

Here you can see a quick graphical comparison between the two cards,
there is quite a huge performance gap between the two. So Thanks bob
for your awnser but i think i can get a lot better performance with an HD 7970.
Unless i'm missing something.

Well There is the link :

http://www.hwcompare.com/11279/radeon-hd-6670-oem-vs-radeon-hd-7970/

Ps : My question still stand, Will this card fit, my mother board can handle it ?
Any info about what kind of Power supply i need ?

Me again posting,

Here a link to a picture of the inside of the computer to help you get an idea about space.
http://i52.tinypic.com/316w9lg.jpg

This might help you know if the card can fit.

Sorry for all thoses post, but the last image i've linked up there isn't exactly like my computer, there was some change to it.

There a more accurate exactly like my computer inside image :

http://computershopper.com/var/ezwebin_site/storage/images/media/images/gateway-dx4831-03-inside/575870-1-eng-US/gateway-dx4831-03-inside_maxwidth.jpg

As to fitting, you can get the dimensions of the new card and cut up a piece of cardboard to test fit it. Some need to do that since measuring the insides is not possible.

That hard drive bracket on the right looks to be the only issue. Does it unbolt?
Bob

Ok, i made some mesurements,

The video card is 12 inch long, some more expensive from other manifacturer are 10.5 inch long.
Right now i only got 10 inch of space because of the drive bracket. I looked as you asked, and yes it seem easy enough to unbolt. Maybe i can just put the harddrive on the bottom of the casing or something i can figure out. If i can remove that, i have plenty of room.

The only thing that bother me, i'm not sure if the RAM socket are in the way.
And after some reseach i guess a 550w PSu should do the job, and i suppose they are all standard size and should fit in my computer ? That will be a pain to play with all the cables in a small computer lol. I should have bought a bigger one to begin with.

Thank you for your help Bob.

That way you are sure to get enough Amperes on the rail that will power the GPU.

The picture I got above didn't seem to have a HDD in that bracket. The good news is that a HDD can be mounted in other places.
Bob

There is a list of components i might choose for the upgrade,
I would like the know what you think about it and if i'm missing something
like the number of pin connectors and if compatible with my quad core i7
and Radeon HD 7970 Video Card.

Power Supply Specs: Price (59.99$ + 3.99 Shipping)
Description: Rosewill Green Series RG630-S12 630W Continuous @40°C,80 PLUS Certified, Single 12V Rail, Active PFC "Compatible with Core i7,i5" Power Supply.
Model:
Brand: Rosewill
Model: RG630-S12
Series: Green Series
Spec:
Type : ATX12V v2.3 & EPS12V v2.92
Maximum Power: Continuous 630W@40°C
Fans: 1 x Silent 120mm Golf Fan
PFC: Active
Main Connector: 20+4Pin
+12V Rails: Single
PCI-Express Connector: 1 x 6-Pin, 1 x 6+2-Pin,
SATA Power Connector: 6
SLI: SLI Ready
CrossFire: CrossFire Ready
Modular: No
Efficiency: >80%, Up to 85%
Energy-Efficient: 80 PLUS Certified
Over Voltage Protection: Yes
Overload Protection :Yes
Input Voltage: 100 - 240 V
Input Frequency Range :47 - 63 Hz
Input Current : 10A @ 115V, 5A @ 230V
Output :+3.3V@24A, +5V@24A, +12V@50A, -12V@0.5A, +5Vsb@2.5A
MTBF : >100,000 Hours
Approvals :UL, CUL, TUV, CB, FCC, ROHS
Dimensions :5.91" x 3.39" x 5.51"
Weight :4.62 lbs.
Features:
Connectors
1 x 20+4Pin Main Connector
1 x 4+4Pin ATX12V/EPS12V Connector
1 x 6Pin PCI-E Connector
1 x 6+2Pin PCI-E Connector
6 x 4Pin Peripheral Connector
6 x 5Pin SATA Connector
1 x 4Pin Floppy Connector

Single 12V rail provide stable reliable power
Active power Factor Correction(PFC) provides clean and reliable power to your system
Universal AC input 90~264V automatically scans and detects the correct voltage
Black Coating Housing
Mesh sleeving on all cables for easier cable routing and better ventilation
Over Temperature/Current/Voltage/Power Protection, Under Voltage Protection, and Short Circuit Protection provide maximum safety to your critical system components

Link to NewEgg :
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182200

Video Card Specs : (359.99$ + 12.99 Shipping + 3x AAA Games)
Description: HIS H797F3G2M Radeon HD 7970 3GB 384-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card. Come with Downloadable games: FarCry 3, Hitman Absolution, Sleeping Dogs.
Model:
Brand: HIS
Model: H797F3G2M
Interface: PCI Express 3.0 x16
Chipset
Chipset Manufacturer: AMD
GPU: Radeon HD 7970
Core Clock: 925MHz
Stream Processors: 2048 Stream Processors
Memory:
Effective Memory Clock: 1375MHz (5.5Gbps)
Memory Size: 3GB
Memory Interface: 384-bit
Memory Type: GDDR5
3D API
DirectX: 11
OpenGL: 4.2
Ports:
1 x HDMI
2 x Mini DisplayPort
1 x DVI
General :
RAMDAC: 400 MHz
Max Resolution
4096 x 2160 (HDMI)
4096 x 2160 (DisplayPort)
2560 x 1600 (DL-DVI)
Eyefinity Support: Yes
CrossFireX Support: Yes
Cooler: With Fan
System Requirements: Minimum of a 500 Watt power supply.
Power Connector: 6 pin / 8 pin
Dual-Link DVI Supported: Yes
HDCP Ready: Yes
Card Dimensions: 11.53" x 4.96" x 1.65"
Link to NewEgg :
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161399

Cooling System for moved HDD :
The suggested Scythe SCIT-1000 Slim Hard Disk Cooler Is discontinued.
I'll have to keep looking for a cheap and slim bottom HDD cooler.

So, what do you think of theses Components are they fine or is the power supply over-kill for my system ?
Price summary :
Video card : 359.99
+ shipping 12.99
PSu :59.99
+ shipping 3.99
Bonus 3 video games value : 160.00 $ free
Total of = 436.96 CND $

drive bay, remove the HDD cage and purchase/install the GPU of choice.

If you need an HDD cooler, there are plenty around that can mount on the bottom of the HDD or you can get some thing like this http://www.coolerguys.com/840556095743.html if extra cooling is required.

VAPCMD

Thank you for you advices,

I didn't knew the HDD could need a cooler, i'll keep that in mind Anyway it is quite cheap.
I'll look into the single rail PSu, i'll update the topic when i've found what i think i should buy.

Then you could tell me if it is a good choice, so i don't get suprises when i try to install the components.

Since i never really updated components in my computers yet, i'm wondering if i need to modify some configurations in the bios etc. Or i simply :
1- Uninstall old video drivers.
2- Close the computer, disconect it
3- Remove and replace the PSu.
4- Unbolt the Hard Drive bracket and move my HDD adding a cooler.
5- Remove and replace the video card.
6- I can lower the Wireless adapter in the lower slot to get more room for the Video Card.
7- I plug all the wires back on everything and i'm guessing the video card will need a wire for power from the PSu.

Then if i plug in the computer and start it up, everything should work if i did everything right.
Final step- Install the new video card drivers.

I'm i missing something ?

Thanks again

the instructions provided with the new GPU. Sometimes they recommend uninstalling the software for the old card, installing the software for the new card, shutting down, remove old card, install new card and when it starts up, it finds the applicable SW.

RE BIOS....I wouldn't touch it or change any settings unless you're experiencing a problem that a new BIOS version claims to solve.

RE moving the HDD, you might need a 5.25" to 3.5" adapter so check that out before you start.

Good luck you asked the questions upfront as it helps ensure the upgrade success..

Let us know how it works out.

VAPCMD

It seems i didn't posted this at the bottom, Also i will look into a HDD adapter as suggested.
There is a list of components i might choose for the upgrade,
I would like the know what you think about it and if i'm missing something
like the number of pin connectors and if compatible with my quad core i7
and Radeon HD 7970 Video Card.

Power Supply Specs: Price (59.99$ + 3.99 Shipping)
Description: Rosewill Green Series RG630-S12 630W Continuous @40°C,80 PLUS Certified, Single 12V Rail, Active PFC "Compatible with Core i7,i5" Power Supply.

Model:
Brand: Rosewill
Model: RG630-S12
Series: Green Series

Spec:
Type : ATX12V v2.3 & EPS12V v2.92
Maximum Power: Continuous 630W@40°C
Fans: 1 x Silent 120mm Golf Fan
PFC: Active
Main Connector: 20+4Pin
+12V Rails: Single
PCI-Express Connector: 1 x 6-Pin, 1 x 6+2-Pin,
SATA Power Connector: 6
SLI: SLI Ready
CrossFire: CrossFire Ready
Modular: No
Efficiency: >80%, Up to 85%
Energy-Efficient: 80 PLUS Certified
Over Voltage Protection: Yes
Overload Protection :Yes
Input Voltage: 100 - 240 V
Input Frequency Range :47 - 63 Hz
Input Current : 10A @ 115V, 5A @ 230V
Output :+3.3V@24A, +5V@24A, +12V@50A, -12V@0.5A, +5Vsb@2.5A
MTBF : >100,000 Hours
Approvals :UL, CUL, TUV, CB, FCC, ROHS
Dimensions :5.91" x 3.39" x 5.51"
Weight :4.62 lbs.

Features:
Connectors
1 x 20+4Pin Main Connector
1 x 4+4Pin ATX12V/EPS12V Connector
1 x 6Pin PCI-E Connector
1 x 6+2Pin PCI-E Connector
6 x 4Pin Peripheral Connector
6 x 5Pin SATA Connector
1 x 4Pin Floppy Connector

Single 12V rail provide stable reliable power
Active power Factor Correction(PFC) provides clean and reliable power to your system
Universal AC input 90~264V automatically scans and detects the correct voltage
Black Coating Housing
Mesh sleeving on all cables for easier cable routing and better ventilation
Over Temperature/Current/Voltage/Power Protection, Under Voltage Protection, and Short Circuit Protection provide maximum safety to your critical system components

Link to NewEgg :
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182200

Video Card Specs : (359.99$ + 12.99 Shipping + 3x AAA Games)
Description: HIS H797F3G2M Radeon HD 7970 3GB 384-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card. Come with Downloadable games: FarCry 3, Hitman Absolution, Sleeping Dogs.

Model:
Brand: HIS
Model: H797F3G2M
Interface: PCI Express 3.0 x16

Chipset
Chipset Manufacturer: AMD
GPU: Radeon HD 7970
Core Clock: 925MHz
Stream Processors: 2048 Stream Processors

Memory:
Effective Memory Clock: 1375MHz (5.5Gbps)
Memory Size: 3GB
Memory Interface: 384-bit
Memory Type: GDDR5
3D API
DirectX: 11
OpenGL: 4.2

Ports:
1 x HDMI
2 x Mini DisplayPort
1 x DVI

General :
RAMDAC: 400 MHz
Max Resolution
4096 x 2160 (HDMI)
4096 x 2160 (DisplayPort)
2560 x 1600 (DL-DVI)
Eyefinity Support: Yes
CrossFireX Support: Yes
Cooler: With Fan
System Requirements: Minimum of a 500 Watt power supply.
Power Connector: 6 pin / 8 pin
Dual-Link DVI Supported: Yes
HDCP Ready: Yes
Card Dimensions: 11.53" x 4.96" x 1.65"

Link to NewEgg :
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161399

Cooling System for moved HDD :
The suggested Scythe SCIT-1000 Slim Hard Disk Cooler Is discontinued.
I'll have to keep looking for a cheap and slim bottom HDD cooler.

So, what do you think of theses Components are they fine or is the power supply over-kill for my system ?

Price summary :
Video card : 359.99
+ shipping 12.99
PSu :59.99
+ shipping 3.99
Bonus 3 video games value : 160.00 $ free
Total of = 436.96 CND $
Many thanks and i would like some feedback about the PSu listed here.
Sorry for my bad english, i'm used to speak french :P