Swapping out my Radeon 5770 for a Geforce card: will I need cooling solutions?

[RikuoAmero]

Hey people...

This is my computer at the moment.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01993830&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&product=4108220

Got it from PC World, then a while later I added a Blu-ray drive, swapped out the PSU for a 500 watt, swapped out the Radeon HD 5450 for a Radeon HD 5770 and added a Creative SB X-fi sound card.

I was planning to get a new computer, some of you may remember me about a month or two ago constantly asking about Alienware ^^. Well, I had a brainwave. What if I just swap out the graphics card?

At the top of my list is the Geforce GTX 550 ti

http://www.geforce.com/Hardware/GPUs/geforce-gtx-550ti/specifications

It too uses a 6-pin power connector, like my 5770, but is also a few MHz faster, plus of course, PhysX (really want to use it in Batman).

Here's my question: can my computer handle an even higher PSU and a better graphics card, without having to get liquid cooling or anything like that? At most, I'm just gonna swap out my PSU and graphics card. Do the Geforces higher than the GTX 550 need liquid cooling or anything else, or could I stick them in my computer as is (once I get a better PSU that is of course).

If so, I'll just get the 550 and be happy with that for a while.

Main reason I'm doing this is my bro: I promised him he could have my rig for his birthday and...I kinda broke that promise (damn Dell and bank for refusing me loans, DAMN THEM TO HELL). So I thought my Radeon should make him happy (he's a professional animator).

Thanks

[Leviathan87]

it should be fine. little bit airflow stricken but other then that its fine.

[RikuoAmero]

it should be fine. little bit airflow stricken but other then that its fine.

Yeah, that's what I thought too, for the GTX 550 Ti. However, what about if I was to get a GTX 570/580/590? I've checked the Nvidia website and they say a 570 MINIMUM if I want 1080p, all settings on highest and PhysX on in Batman Arkham City. Would the case be good for those cards temperature wise? At most, I'm only swapping out PSU and GPU...I'll wonder about cooling once I've saved up for a custom build.

[ZeroPenguins]

Actually you might be able to run that GPU with a 400watt PSU so no point getting an bigger PSU. I got a friend that runs a ATi HD 5850 on a 400watt PSU with an Intel i7 core (800 series I believe). You should be fine, and I'm wondering since you know a lot about computers, why not build your own? Also don't listen to some people that say you need 1000watt PSU to run two GPU, that's a load of crap!

[RikuoAmero]

Actually you might be able to run that GPU with a 400watt PSU so no point getting an bigger PSU. I got a friend that runs a ATi HD 5850 on a 400watt PSU with an Intel i7 core (800 series I believe). You should be fine, and I'm wondering since you know a lot about computers, why not build your own? Also don't listen to some people that say you need 1000watt PSU to run two GPU, that's a load of crap!

I already have a 500 watt PSU in at the moment. Plus, I'm hesitant about building my own computer...plus I have to consider the cost. I was turned down for a loan from both Dell and my bank (was only looking for 3-4 thousand, so monthly repayments wouldn't have been a problem for me...but they said no). I have swapped components, but building from scratch? That's something else.

[Diablo]

I don't think you gonna need any extra power supply or cooling unless you gonna overclock the CPU and GPU. No graphic card usually needs any extra cooling than the stock ones unless of course you gonna Overclock it.

If you're still not sure about the PSU then check out this website

http://www.thermaltake.outervision.com/

[RikuoAmero]

I don't think you gonna need any extra power supply or cooling unless you gonna overclock the CPU and GPU. No graphic card usually needs any extra cooling than the stock ones unless of course you gonna Overclock it.

If you're still not sure about the PSU then check out this website

http://www.thermaltake.outervision.com/

Yeah...I've asked around other places, and they mention that my case wouldn't have enough air-flow for the high end GPUs (the GTX 570, 580, 590).

[lemmingllama]

Pop off your case and then no problem. This may be kinda gypsy but it'll cool it down cheaply

[Diablo]

Pop off your case and then no problem. This may be kinda gypsy but it'll cool it down cheaply

Actually that one is a wrong method to cool your computer, most modern expensive cabinets from companies like Antec, Cooler master are designed in such a way that they provide proper ventilation inside. (Usually cool air goes inside from the front and hot air comes out from the rear).

[ZeroPenguins]

Actually that one is a wrong method to cool your computer, most modern expensive cabinets from companies like Antec, Cooler master are designed in such a way that they provide proper ventilation inside. (Usually cool air goes inside from the front and hot air comes out from the rear).

Lol well actually people do it, it's not wrong, some people even run their computers without a case so you can't say it's wrong. The only problem with open case is that you get a lot more dust and hair into your computer, but just clean it more regularly.

Also I believe you do not need a new PSU, since you can't overclock with a HP motherboard easily.

[RikuoAmero]

This may sound a bit stupid people...but what if I get the higher end Geforce, remove the side panel and then aim an electric fan at it?

[Diablo]

This may sound a bit stupid people...but what if I get the higher end Geforce, remove the side panel and then aim an electric fan at it?

You'd be only disrupting the proper Airflow inside your cabinet. Instead of cooling down it'd just bring more load on your GPU fan and hence on GPU. Trust me I live close to equator and I've learned many tricks about how to keep your computer properly ventilated.

Check this link to know about correct airflow. Article is pretty old but is still helpful if you don't know much about Cabinet Air-flow.

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/142

[RikuoAmero]

Okay, thanks people...I think I may just remove the side panel. What would I use to clean the inside then, just a can of compressed air every so often?

[Asch]

Well, I will say that you should go with the previous generation but more powerful GTX 460, nevertheless GTX 550 Ti paired with faster RAM does out performs 460, but in stand alone, 460 out performs 550(550 is the link between there entry to mid range cards, therefore it can share memory with main)

As of cooling, you don't need to worry even a little bit, 550 runs pretty cool, and cooler than your 5770, so just plug it without any fear.

[RikuoAmero]

Well, I will say that you should go with the previous generation but more powerful GTX 460, nevertheless GTX 550 Ti paired with faster RAM does out performs 460, but in stand alone, 460 out performs 550(550 is the link between there entry to mid range cards, therefore it can share memory with main)

As of cooling, you don't need to worry even a little bit, 550 runs pretty cool, and cooler than your 5770, so just plug it without any fear.

I'm actually thinking of going for the Geforce GTX 570, 580 or 590, with side panel removed, since that's the best I can do in terms of cooling. I want to get as much performance as I can in Batman Arkham City, and the Nvidia website says a 570 minimum is needed for 1080p with highest settings and PhysX.

[Asch]

Oh well, it depends, I am using a Quadro 4000M for my laptop, and to be honest, it can't be compared to gaming series of nVidia, it outperforms in some, and under performs in some. I have a 550m in my another laptop I guess(kinda forgot, 550 or 560) and it just works well, I was able to play crysis 2 under max (2x anti alias) at 1600 x 900. But if you are planning to with something like 580, or 590, I would still say that you don't need to keep your case open, since they use vapor based coolers, which are better. You might need to upgrade your power supply to atleast 650w though.

[† ballard]

Oh well, it depends, I am using a Quadro 4000M for my laptop, and to be honest, it can't be compared to gaming series of nVidia, it outperforms in some, and under performs in some. I have a 550m in my another laptop I guess(kinda forgot, 550 or 560) and it just works well, I was able to play crysis 2 under max (2x anti alias) at 1600 x 900. But if you are planning to with something like 580, or 590, I would still say that you don't need to keep your case open, since they use vapor based coolers, which are better. You might need to upgrade your power supply to atleast 650w though.

Mobile versions of graphics cards are extremely under-powered compared to their desktop counterparts, so a desktop 550 would easily outperform it. *EDIT* If Rikuo decided to go with a 550 it would be money well spent.

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If you're wanting to use physx I would recommend getting no less than a 560 or a 570.

If you're worried about heat issues... What I did with my old gaming rig a few years back was take off the side panel and put a small box fan blowing directly into the case. It never once overheated because of it. You could also get an antec 900 or 1200 case which has amazing airflow.