AGP Video Card

[Stizzle]

Hello,

Ive found out that the PSU of my computer is a low 280W. I want to get the most out of this without having to buy a new PSU or an entirely new computer. Also my case is a MicroATX case so i'm not sure if just any old ATX power supply would fit in it.

Anyway, does anyone know what the best AGP video card there is that doesnt require a hefty Power Supply? The 6600GT needs a minimum of 350W. So i'm wondering if theres any other good, slightly affordable cards out there with similair or slightly less performance to a 6600GT that are AGP but require less power.

Thanks.

Ps: Just incase you were wondering and if it affects my Power rating, my computer has the following specs.

-AMD Athlon 3000+XP Processor (2.2Ghz)
-768MB RAM
-No sound card (internal)
-One Hard Disk (70GB)

 

[mwmorph]

9800pro only draws 0.7 amps from the +12v rail as measured by xbit labs.
I had it running fine on a 240w psu.
here's the link.
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/ati-powercons_8.html

the whole article for ati
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/ati-powercons.html

for nvidia
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/ati-vs-nv-power.html

results summary
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/ati-vs-nv-power_9.html

what you need to look out for is +12v amps. anything else is fine on modern psus. it's +12v amps that really make a lower end psu struggle.

 

[Stizzle]

Thanks. How much better is this to the current card i have? (PNY FX5500 256MB) Just wondering if it's worth the money to go upgrade to the card you suggested.
Also the 9800 Pro, like the 6600GT, requires an external Molex connector (from what ive read). Every PSU has one right? I'm 90% sure that i saw one dangling around when i opened my PC to check out the Power Output of the PSU. But i'm not sure it was a molex connector.
Are molex connectors standard in microATX power supplies?

 

[mwmorph]

it's the 4 contact rectangle. looks like an oversized usb plug in shape, but it's plastic. It's the big one.
looks like this
http://www.msprojectstart.org/molex%20connect.jpg

your psu should have 1.

some earlier 9800pros had floppy connectors
http://www.devhardware.com/images/stori...YO%20Gamers%20ch%201/fig.%2013-13a.jpg

either way, your psu should have at least 1 extra.

I think in some situations, the 9800pro stock will be about 100% faster.
here's a compariosn. the fx5500 will be slower than a 5600 normal. the 9800 is on the list.
http://graphics.tomshardware.com/graphi...-charts-03.html#unreal_tournament_2003

 

[SickBeast]

I think you'd be ok with an X800Pro so long as you have a good PSU. It would be a decent match for your CPU as well.

 

[hans030390]

What is the amps rating for the 12v rail?

you might be able to run a 6600gt on that if it's high enough

 

[ElFenix]

is it one of those little shuttle boxes? the psu's in them are high quality. even with the low wattage number, they can power pretty much anything you can put in the box.


the 6600GT claims it needs 350W PS because people buy $15 power supplies that say 300 watt on them and it doesn't work. that isn't because the GT sucks down that much power, its because that power supply is lying about its capabilities.

 

[Stizzle]

Thanks mwmorph, looks like i do have a molex connector.

Originally posted by: hans030390
What is the amps rating for the 12v rail?

you might be able to run a 6600gt on that if it's high enough

How do i find that out? There were loads of other numbers on the PSU but i didnt know what was what so i just wrote down the max output and nothing else. Maybe i should've wrote everything down lol...

 

[mwmorph]

Originally posted by: Stizzle
Thanks mwmorph, looks like i do have a molex connector.

Originally posted by: hans030390
What is the amps rating for the 12v rail?

you might be able to run a 6600gt on that if it's high enough

How do i find that out? There were loads of other numbers on the PSU but i didnt know what was what so i just wrote down the max output and nothing else. Maybe i should've wrote everything down lol...

there will be a colum with the numbers +12V and under or next to it will say somethingl ike 16A or 12A or something. tell us that number and we'll be able ot help you. The number is located most likely on a sticker on the side of the psu.