Do I need a Ivy Bridge CPU in order to run a PCIE 3.0 Card in a PCIE 2.0 slot?

[Ninjask]

There's the question. I was thinking of buying a new computer some time ago, but instead it would be better to upgrade my older PC. Anyways, I want to upgrade my graphics card but I was confused about these ports.
My CPU is a AMD Anthlon II X4 630.
Thanks for your help.

 

[jaraldo]

Here's some benchmarks Ninjask

BF4 50fps on high (it's the same as the gtx 660)
http/www.bit-tech.net/hardware/graphics/2013/11/27/battlefield-4-performance-analysis/3

Arma3 45fps on high
http/www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gtx-750-ti-review,3750-7.html

Watchdogs 40fps on high
http/www.tomshardware.com/reviews/watch-dogs-pc-performance,3833-6.html

 

[jaraldo]

@ Weak1ings

Good point. I just checked the reviews just now, and many have said it runs off the PCI-E slot.
http/www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487024

Edit: http/www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2089410/evga-gtx-750-installation.html

 

[Weak1ings]

If VGA is important to you the ASUS has it but no Display port. Both the EVGA and ASUS cards will be great choices but I would be concerned about the EVGA superclocked because the 200 Mhz above ASUS may result in the requirement of a 6-pin. In the other versions it's purely optional.

Both brands are reputable and will probably work out well but thanks to twice the number of fans I feel the ASUS will have higher OC potential than the EVGA despite the EVGA's initial start. If you get a good card. Both will work quite well if you have a 6-pin. Would you check for a 6-pin for us?

After some searching I found a benchmarks:
these revealed this:
SC has 3.4 fps above stock with Crysis 3
ASUS has 3.8 fps above stock with a SIMILAR Crysis 3 benchmark.
Sites are listed: Not direct comparison, used 1080p results
http/www.digitalstormonline.com/unlocked/evga-gtx-750-ti-and-750-ti-sc-unboxing-review-and-benchmarks-idnum176/
and
http/www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ASUS/GTX_750_Ti_OC/15.html
This wasn't a very good comparison but tests showed that when compared to stock the SC was a tiny bit faster than ASUS (2 fps)
both are great cards.

 

[Ninjask]

OK, in the end, if I DO buy the GTX 750ti (which is PCIE 3.0) it runs in a PCIE 2.0, without the need for an ivy bridge or anything, right?

Edit: The card does not need a 6-pin connection.

 

[Weak1ings]

Correct, Ivy bridge is not necessary.

 

[Ninjask]

OK. Well, all the problems are gone, and I will start saving for the card. Thanks for all of your help

If I have any other questions or problems I will post in this thread.

 

[jaraldo]

OK, in the end, if I DO buy the GTX 750ti (which is PCIE 3.0) it runs in a PCIE 2.0, without the need for an ivy bridge or anything, right?

Edit: The card does not need a 6-pin connection.

Considering that either the Asus or EVGA are basically the same (talking about 2-3 fps difference) just get whichever is cheaper.

Just so you know, most computer parts are backwards compatible, meaning they downclock themselves to work in the machine. If you put a Sata 3 hard drive in a sata 2 port, it will run in sata 2 speeds. If you put a USB 3.0 in a USB 2.0 port, it will run at 2.0 speeds.

About pci-e 3.0, many cards don't maximize the power available from 3.0; the 750ti is one of them. It will run pretty much exactly the same in pci-e 2.0 as it will in pci-e 3.0.