Can I add a 8800GT to my little 300w Gateway

[ProfJohn]

Help me out here please...

According to Gateway specs I should have a 300w power supply in my computer.

Right now I have a 7600gs, but having played Crysis I am thinking I need more power.

Everyone seems to say the new 8800GT is the best deal in town right now.

So can I ad that to my system, or do I need a bigger power supply first?

Thank you for any help

 

[darkxknight]

if you really wanna be on the safe side with your PS, get an HD3870. 3870 requires less power and provides about 90% of the power of the 8800gt at a way lower cost.

 

[JustaGeek]

Get a larger PSU with either card.

300W is way too low.

And don't be skimpy - get a quality PSU, recommended in the Power Supply section.

Good luck!

 

[mpilchfamily]

No matter what video card you upgrade too you will need a new PSU. I would recomend getting Corsair's VX450W PSU. It offers 33A on the +12v rail and will easily support your upgrade.

 

[ntdz]

It depends on how good the psu is...I run an 8800gt perfectly fine in my 250watt shuttle...

 

[VanTheMan]

I would be safe and get a better PSU. You want to make sure that you don't need a proprietary power supply because I have seen some manafacturers have a standard ATX connector, but have some wires switched around. If you use a non-proprietary PSU on a system that needs one, you can ruin your hardware.

 

[taltamir]

yea... that psu can only power very low end cards... no way in can power any modern card...

 

[Creig]

Here's a really good deal on a decent power supply at a low price.

Antec Earthwatts EA430

Good quality, high efficiency and is $65 with a $30 mail in rebate = $35 in the end.

 

[s44]

Originally posted by: darkxknight
3870 requires less power

Only at idle. It eats more power than the 8800GT under load.

 

[DSF]

Are you sure your computer takes PCI-e x16 cards?

I don't want to insult your intelligence, but make sure you can use a PCI-e card and not an AGP one.

 

[ProfJohn]

Originally posted by: DSF
Are you sure your computer takes PCI-e x16 cards?

I don't want to insult your intelligence, but make sure you can use a PCI-e card and not an AGP one.

It's PCI-e. I already added on graphic card so I am sure.

It's not really a bad computer, but after playing Crysis are med setting I wana see it in all its glory.

At med setting it is really just Far Cry part 2 so to speak. Just smarter bad guys.