Can I use an Nvidia 660?

[Kymts]

I really need some assistance from people with some actual knowledge on computers, as I have little to none. I purchased an ASUS desktop around 10 months back that had an NVIDIA Geforce GT 530, and I strongly need to upgrade it. I bought the computer for gaming, however, I did not know anything at all about computers back then, and I had Best Buy choose a good gaming desktop for me. Anywho, I want to buy an NVIDIA GeFore GTX 660 Ti. I don't know if it is compatible with my computer. Specs are below.

Motherboard: Asus CM6850
Intel Core i7 2600K @ 3400MHz
NVIDIA GeForce GT 530
8192MB DDR3-SDRAM
I also researched stuff about the PCI express slot. I have a PCI express 2.0 slot, but don't know if it runs at 16x.

Sorry if I left anything out, just tell me what I left out and I'll respond. I am giving you all this info off of PC Wizard 2010, btw. Thanks.

 

[Durvelle27]

yes it is compatible but if i was you i would get a HD 7950 instead of a GTX 660 Ti

 

[Kymts]

Thanks I really appreciate it. I'll look into it.

 

[notty22]

I think this is your rig.
http://www.asus.com/Desktop/Entertainment/Essentio_CM6850/#specifications
It has a 300 watt peak psu.
Good news, is the m/b and cpu will make for a great gaming machine with a new video card, but you need to get a bigger PSU also.

 

[Kymts]

Yeah, I believe the 660 requires me to have 450 watts. So, does that mean I can't use the graphics card? If so, what's the best card I can get?

 

[Durvelle27]

with 300W a HD 7770

 

[Dark Shroud]

I'm going to tell you right now from personal experience to upgrade that PSU first. Any real video card is going to push that OEM junker PSU way to hard & it will burn out. It just becomes a matter of what parts it takes with it.

This one comes with a rebate and is strong enough to run any single video card.

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/ocz-power-supply-ocz600mxsp

 

[Kymts]

Yeah, I'm probably going to purchase a new power supply along with the graphics card, then install them both. However, since I am a bit of a beginner, I was wondering if there are any requirements my computer has to meet to install a new PSU? Also, is the PSU the only problem I have in regards to getting a new graphics card?

 

[Dark Shroud]

In this case your motherboard is good so your only problem is the power supply. You'll want to get that first because video cards are going down in price.

 

[Kymts]

Sounds good, I really appreciate the help. I think this is my last question: so any type of power supply will work with my computer? (Sorry If I sound like a beginner)

 

[toyota]

with 300W a HD 7770

no because these oem psus do NOT make 300 watts. they are typically only rated for about 15-18 amps on the 12v at 25C. under realistic conditions its only about 75-80% of that. so depending on the exact model, you are looking at around 140-160 MAX that the 12v line can safely handle. and unlike a high quality psu, its not safe to push these cheap oem psus hard. they are made with very cheap parts and will degrade quickly under heavy usage. they also have no built in protection so other components can be damaged when they fail.

 

[Kymts]

Look below for my question, accidentally posted this.

 

[Kymts]

I'm going to tell you right now from personal experience to upgrade that PSU first. Any real video card is going to push that OEM junker PSU way to hard & it will burn out. It just becomes a matter of what parts it takes with it.

This one comes with a rebate and is strong enough to run any single video card.

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/ocz-power-supply-ocz600mxsp

So that will work w/ my comp and the 660 graphics card?

 

[RussianSensation]

I'd get this PSU over that OCZ. Comes to $56.50 after coupon and 15% off. Also, I wouldn't buy the 660Ti. Either wait for this $200 7870 to come back in stock, buy any decent after-market 7950, or wait for a $330-340 deal on a GTX670. GTX660Ti is overpriced.