Are the RTX 2070/2080 GPU compatible with an MSI Intel Z87-GD65?

Wiss · 03 Aug 2020

Hello everybody

I have a question about my computer. About seven years ago I built a computer from a local store. Some of its specs include:

MSI® M/B Intel Z87-GD65 Gaming A/L/V (1150)
Intel® CPU Core i7-4770K 3.5 GHz (1150)
EVGA® Video NVIDIA GeForce GTX660 Ti 2048MB GDDR5
Kingston® DDR3 32GB (4x 8GB) 1600MHz PC3-12800 HyperX Beast

About 3 years ago the video card started to fail, so I replaced it with a GTX 970.

Now the GTX 970 is starting to show its age, and some highly demanding games basically overwhelm it, so I am thinking in replacing it once again. My question is, considering the aforementioned components, would my computer be compatible with a RTX 2070 or an RTX 2080? What are the conditions that determine whether those videocards are compatible or not?

Thanks!

Ghot · 03 Aug 2020

@Wiss

1. Length of card ofc.
2. Some of the 2070 and 2080 series will be triple thick. They will take up 3 of the tiny slots on the back of the case.
3. If power supply has the needed cables... that's pretty much all you have to worry about.

The card will fit the slot(s) on the motherboard, and they will be electrically compatible.

TV2 · 03 Aug 2020

Exactly.

Those cards run between 10.5 inches to 12.5 inches long.
And you will need one 1x8 pin and one 1x6 pin connector from the power supply.

Ghot · 03 Aug 2020

TV2 said:

Exactly.

Those cards run between 10.5 inches to 12.5 inches long.
And you will need one 1x8 pin and one 1x6 pin connector from the power supply.

Some cards take one 8 pin, some take two 8pin connectors. The rest will take a 6pin and an 8pin.
Some of those really tiny ones, might need only a 6pin.

Best practice, is choose which card you want at PcPartpicker and check the specs. If the specs aren't complete enough, check on Newegg.com

Choose A Video Card - PCPartPicker

Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, LED LCD TV, Digital Cameras and more - Newegg.com

Newegg lists the specs direct from the manufacturer, and it's easier to navigate.

Steve C · 06 Aug 2020

Do open up the case and check the card dimensions. I found I was limited to a card having a maximum width of 2 slots. Look out for overclocked cards - I bought a RTX 2060 Super overclocked card which has about the same performance as a more expensive RTX 2070. Also look out for cards where the fan doesn't spin when there is a low load in the GPU.