Z68X-UD3H-B3 with GTX970 Query

[SuperJimmy4]

Hi Everyone.

I'm considering upgrading from a GTX570 to a GTX970. Before I do that I was wondering if anyone knows if there are any issues with running a GTX970 on a Z68X-UD3H-B3, or should it just be a plug and play affair? I have seems a few posts from around 2014 on Tom's Hardware who had issues requiring BIOS updates, but I can't seem to find any recent ones, or indeed if they were just the minority.

My current system is as follows (apologies if I miss anything out).

mobo - Z68X-UD3H-B3
BIOS - Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
Processor - i5-2500k @4.0GHz
RAM - 8GB
PSU 700w

Any further information or advise would be greatly appreciated.

[dmdilks]

What version board do you have to start with? The thing is yes these cards should be backward compatible. That is why I ask what version board you have. The 1.3 board if you install a ivy bridge CPU the slot are now 3.0 compatible.

If you are running the 1.0 board now it is a different game. The other thing is you using a sandy bridge CPU that only supports 2.0 cards. I would look at GTX-960 4gb card. I just sold one of these to somebody and here is a review on the card.

 http://www.overclockers.com/evga-gtx-960-4gb-supersc-acx-2-0-graphics-card-review/

[SuperJimmy4]

As far as I can see on the board, there are no revision number next to the board name, so I assume its the original version. When you say about Sandybridge supporting 2.0 cards, are you talking about the PCI-E generation? I'll take a look at the GTX960 as you suggest, but isn't that a generation 3 card as well? I don't mind it not running at PCI-E 3 as I've only got a single GPU setup, I'm just checking that this will be compatible before I buy it?

[dmdilks]

The rev # is in the bottom left corner next to the screw hole. Yes that is right sandy bridge & PCI-E generation slots 2.0. We have had a lot of people come here with problems with 3.0 cards on these boards.

I'm not saying it isn't going to work or will work. You trying to run new with old. The other thing is if does work you are only going to get 2.0 performance out of the card too. Just make sure you have all your ducks in a row before buy one.

[SuperJimmy4]

Hey Guys,

Just as an update. I bought the GTX970, and after a stressful twenty minutes with the powercables from the PSU not being quite long enough, all is installed. Everything is working great.

I had a look inside where you suggested and the revision number was ver 1.0. Just posting this update incase anyone else in my situation needs it.

[dmdilks]

Hey glad you it work and like I said it is a chance you will have to take. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.