PSU power supply problem

concealed777 · January 24th, 2007, 12:00 AM

I recently just bought a geforce PCI-e video card from tigerdirect and it's shipping right now. The system requirements is 350W power supply. But I JUST FOUND out my system only has a 305W PSU. What should i do? =/ please help. Do i have to get a new one? I read previous threads on this issue, but I was wondering if my issue can be exceptional. My PSU specs are 305W with 12Va being 18.0a and 12vb being 18.0a. I have a Dell 5010

SoloCamo · January 24th, 2007, 12:04 AM

Welcome to TechIMO!

What video card did you order?

What are the rest of your system specs?

What is the make/model of your psu?

Most likely you will need to upgrade however

concealed777 · January 24th, 2007, 12:10 AM

I have a Dell Dimension 5010, 512 DDR2 ram. Intel Pentinum 4 3GHZ. The PSU is also Dell

Video card is 3d Fuzion Geforce 6200 LE 128 MB

JPMiller · January 24th, 2007, 12:15 AM

Across the board, Dell's ship with the absolute minimum spec PSU they can get away with...
That way they can charge you for an upgrade down the road, or negate your warranty if you upgrade without them...
305 is too low for most current systems when adding ANY kind of upgrade...
While your card may not overload the system right away, the added drain WILL make it run hotter and harder...
Eventually you may pay the price with the demise of key components when/if it blows
As long as it is a standard ATX ( 3.5" x 5.5" x 6" roughly) then you can simply swap it out with a higher quality unit..
The lowest end FSP is only around $30 shipped and still leaves headroom for other upgrades...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104951
1 x Main connector (20+4 pin)
1 x 12V (P4)
4 x peripheral
1 x SATA
If you need more connectors than that, then you may want to bump up to a higher end model...
Dont be fooled by the 300W rating...
those are TRUE ratings unlike most PSU's and the +12V rails are the ones that are important...
+12V1@16A
+12V2@16A
This config is more than most 450W generic PSU's

concealed777 · January 24th, 2007, 12:17 AM

What if the video card is the only upgrade i am adding?

JPMiller · January 24th, 2007, 12:29 AM

Do so at your own risk...
I'm warning you for good reason...
You may be just fine...
Me, I would at LEAST check voltages with EverestHome before the upgrade, and again after, while under load...
run a graphics test and watch if they fluctuate or dip much....
Voltage values SHOULD show up under "Computer" "Sensor"
if its still greyed out after clicking on the sensor tab, wait a moment, if it still doesnt show, thank Dell for stripping out any form of motherboard monitoring...

concealed777 · January 24th, 2007, 12:35 AM

I have everesthome. under computer and sensor, i only have the temperature? the thing is, the video card i am getting is only 50 dollars, I am a very low budget gamer and i am only getting it for kind of low end games like wc3 and lineage 2.

the new card is just a 3D fuzion Geforce 6200 128 Mb. It runs at 350W. Can i underclock it to make it use less enrgy?

Dethrattle · January 24th, 2007, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by concealed777

I have everesthome. under computer and sensor, i only have the temperature? the thing is, the video card i am getting is only 50 dollars, I am a very low budget gamer and i am only getting it for kind of low end games like wc3 and lineage 2.

the new card is just a 3D fuzion Geforce 6200 128 Mb. It runs at 350W. Can i underclock it to make it use less enrgy?

There is almost no reason to upgrade to the same card.
Maybe you should save up and get something a little better.
At least come up a generation and get a 7300GS for the same price.

concealed777 · January 24th, 2007, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dethrattle

There is almost no reason to upgrade to the same card.
Maybe you should save up and get something a little better.
At least come up a generation and get a 7300GS for the same price.

well my old one is just some intel chipset family one. my psu is only 305W output though.

DanU · January 24th, 2007, 03:34 PM

Well if it's just a low-end GF 6200, then your 305W PSU should be fine. These cards don't draw much power.

It will definitely be a step up from your intel integrated graphics, but like everyone else said, it's not a "gamers" video card by any means. For older games like WC3, you should be just fine.