Can a video card overload the power supply?

[Vertigo-1]

The other day I put in a new Geforce MX440 video card into a Hewlett Packard computer because the owner said the on mobo video card couldn't handle the Direct3d requirements of World of Warcraft. Computer ran fine and I was able to run the game even for a bit. Owner took the computer home, and then complained that he was getting no video.

I went through and checked everything, and turns out his power supply was dead. So now my question is, could the video card have caused the PS to blow, or did he just unluckily get hit by a surge while plugging in/turning on his computer? The power supply is rated at 200watts, and it's running a P4 with one DVD/CDRW drive and one hard drive. No other major PCI devices other than a modem...everything else is on mobo.

 

[Pete]

Well, a discrete card will use more than any IGP, but the GF4MX is a really low-power card. It's possible, I suppose, in that it added some strain to a PSU at its voltage or temperature limit. But it's surprising, both b/c the GF4MX is such a frugal card, and because the system worked when you installed the card. Though I honestly don't know what the owner could've done to fry the PSU. Any thunderstorms that night?

 

[nitromullet]

I don't think that a video card can do that to a PSU. I would think that if your PSU just can't handle the power requirements for the card, you would just have problems/instability with the card.

Did you run the PC after you put the card in?

 

[Vertigo-1]

Yes, I did run the computer right after installing the card, as the main reason for the install was to make World of Warcraft work. Not surprisingly, the on mobo video chipset just couldn't meet the Direct3d requirements of the game, and the new video card solved the problem. I was able to play the movie, run the game, etc. It was peachy when I shut the computer down.

The problem now is I'm in a blame game here (I'm a tech for an internet cafe)...the owner thinks the video card blew the PS, and therefore we should compensate for the cost of replacing it, while technical evidence would suggest otherwise. I pretty much thought the same thing, at most the computer would get unstable or just wouldn't turn on the monitor, but I don't see a video card blowing up the PS. I'm not entirely familiar with the whole AGP voltage differences though nowdays and wasn't sure if that was what could've caused the PS to blow. It was quite windy and somewhat stormy during the period the computer was brought in, so I'm thinking it's more an unlucky surge problem than the video card.

 

[Gamingphreek]

200Watt is REALLY low. You could have overloaded it.

Dont PSU's have to pass a standard that require them to shut down if overloaded or over/undervolt happens.

-Kevin

 

[Peter]

Yes of course it can. AGP cards live directly off the 3.3V rail from the PSU - and if it's a cheap PSU with no overload protection, then something will give.

 

[zakee00]

i thought cards used the 12v rail? is that only cards that need an extra molex connector?

 

[RadiclDreamer]

P4 + pretty much anything else when running a 200watt psu is not a smart idea

 

[Zebo]

MX440, Hewlett Packard, 200watts, a P4... ew I feel like I need a shower.

 

[peleejosh]

just buy him another cheap 200w psu for like 15 or 20 bucks and be done with it
ive got one from an old emachine that i will give you if you pay for shipping

 

[302efi]

Originally posted by: Zebo
MX440, Hewlett Packard, 200watts, a P4... ew I feel like I need a shower.

 

[imported_Noob]

Originally posted by: Vertigo-1
The other day I put in a new Geforce MX440 video card into a Hewlett Packard computer because the owner said the on mobo video card couldn't handle the Direct3d requirements of World of Warcraft. Computer ran fine and I was able to run the game even for a bit. Owner took the computer home, and then complained that he was getting no video.

I went through and checked everything, and turns out his power supply was dead. So now my question is, could the video card have caused the PS to blow, or did he just unluckily get hit by a surge while plugging in/turning on his computer? The power supply is rated at 200watts, and it's running a P4 with one DVD/CDRW drive and one hard drive. No other major PCI devices other than a modem...everything else is on mobo.

You're computer may crash. You won't fry your PSU. But I would recommend getting at least a 350 Watter or more. Over 400 would be ideal.