What Power PSU is needed to run a 512mb 8800GT?

Johnmcl7

Total power is relatively irrelevent, it's the quality that's more important as there's a lot cheap high power PSUs that deliver a poor current. Dell PSU's in general to be pretty good, what model is it you have?

John

tazxxx

If you haven't added anything else to the system, it should be able to handle an extra graphics card. If not, I don't think you can actually damage your hardware by using a low powered PSU, it will just lock up? Might be wrong though...
To check the power, there should be a sticker on the side of it, whcih either states a value or just the serial number you can look up online-theres calculators online that tell you how much power your system needs, but not sure how good they are.

jocksteeluk

This will help you out http://www.journeysystems.com/?power_supply_calculator

check the energy requirements on the box for the card, calculate what you need and you will have the answer.

james2805

Nice link Jocksteeluk

But it doesnt really accomodate for new hardware.

My spec is.........

Quad Core Q6600
4GB Corsair DDR2 800Mhz RAM
320GB HardDrive
DVD/CD RW
Onboard GFX currently.

And I wanna add a 512MB 8800GT at some point soon.....

Will try and open computer soon and check what PSU is inside.

matedodgy

If you've quad core with that relatively recent spec, you should be fine to add the GFX card you are thinking of. I should imagine it would have a 400-500W PSU built in. There's no danger even if you get the power wrong, you'll know from lock ups etc. Then just add a new PSU very easily.

But I agree with another poster, unless you have added loads of extra peripherals, you'll be fine. Besides, those GT GFX chips can be had for £50 now so you've nothing to lose. If it doesn't work, just put it on ebay. I find many retailers like Komplett to give superb pre-purchase advice.

ryouga

More like 350 as my quad core setup with 4 gigs ram was sent with a 350 it worked ok though.

EndlessWaves

ryouga:
More like 350 as my quad core setup with 4 gigs ram was sent with a 350 it worked ok though.

PSUs do degrade over time so you do want some spare when it's new.

Just take the side panel off the case, the PSU should be labled and just note down the table that's on it.

ryouga

EndlessWaves:
PSUs do degrade over time so you do want some spare when it's new.

Just take the side panel off the case, the PSU should be labled and just note down the table that's on it.

I can build computers lol and did change the psu quickly after anyway as I had loads of my own componets.

jocksteeluk

james2805:
Nice link Jocksteeluk

But it doesnt really accomodate for new hardware.

My spec is.........

Quad Core Q6600
4GB Corsair DDR2 800Mhz RAM
320GB HardDrive
DVD/CD RW
Onboard GFX currently.

And I wanna add a 512MB 8800GT at some point soon.....

Will try and open computer soon and check what PSU is inside.

use this one http://extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp
it features new hardware including your vga and cpu as well as a function to calculate the extra power of a system overclock.

PhearFactor · *Last edited by PhearFactor : 12-05-2008 at 00:27.*

I don't know what Dell typically use, or whether it will even be compatible with an 512MB 8800GT. Here is the recommended requirements for a BFG Tech 8800GT:

:
> 1GB of system memory
> Microsoft Windows Vista -or- Windows XP
> CD or DVD-ROM drive
> 50MB of available hard disk drive space for basic driver installation
> 425W PCI Express-compliant system power supply with a combined 12V current rating of 28A or more (Minimum system power requirement based on a standard PC configured with an Intel® Core™2 Extreme X6800 processor)
> PCI Express-compliant motherboard with one vacant PCI Express x16 slot
> One 6-pin PCI Express supplementary power connector -or- Two 4-pin Molex supplementary power connectors

If it is compliant with that you should be okay. If it is not compliant, go for a 400W+ PSU to be on the safe side, try to get a 12V Version 2.2 PSU which is compliant for your set-up and your new choice of card.

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=256346 - I have heard these are pretty damn good for the price and it fits your requirements perfectly.

james2805

Just cranked open the case......

It says........... Max Power: 350w.....

Other information........ The Combine Power on +12VA & +12VB total 300W

Bardcode number: CN-0FU909-42940-7BM

REV A00

Dont know that much of that means...... I also hear that PSU's lose some of their overall power in time too.... so maybe best to just get a new PSU aswell?

That 400W Phear linked too looks pretty good, but maybe should go 450-500w while I am doing it?

PhearFactor · *Last edited by PhearFactor : 12-05-2008 at 13:53.*

I had one of these in the past, still have it somewhere - its a good little machine but that extra 130W will cost you double the price as the one I listed earlier - Here you go:

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=408083

Check if the one you have now (the Dell PSU) has a six pin plug like the one pictured here:
http://www.virtual-hideout.net/revie.../images/22.jpg

Or two spare molex plugs:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi..._connector.jpg

If it does, chances are good that it will work fine with the current PSU, although I cannot guarantee it.

james2805

Im not sure if it had the 6 pin plug....... but i think it had 2 spare moldex plugs.

EndlessWaves

james2805:
The Combine Power on +12VA & +12VB total 300W

That's 25A so it's marginal if the recommended is 28A on a X6800 system.

What Power PSU is needed to run a 512mb 8800GT?

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