Do I need a new PSU?

[babylon5]

I have a HP Pavilion computer, I plan to install a 6800GS/GT (in future maybe 7800) video card soon. HP comes with a Hipro 300W PSU with following DC Output:

+12V=19A
-12V=0.8A

+5v=25A
+3.3v=18A
+5VSB=2A

Is this PSU enough for a 6800 or 7800? My system has 2 DVD drives, 3 chip of DDR RAM, 2 SATA HD, 1 Sound card.

Thanks

 

[KayKay]

you should get a new PSU

 

[jimbob200521]

i would recommend getting a new psu as well, if the one you have now doesnt croak when you get the new card, it prolly will shortly after

 

[mOeeOm]

Originally posted by: jimbob200521
i would recommend getting a new psu as well, if the one you have now doesnt croak when you get the new card, it prolly will shortl after

 

[babylon5]

Thanks guys for the suggestion...I guess I'll get at least a 400W PSU

 

[dexvx]

Why dont you try it first?

If the HP computer has the option of configuring with a Geforce 6800, then the answer is probably yes.

 

[babylon5]

That was my thinking too, if HP gives me this PSU with a PCI-E slot, I assume they know people will install an extra video card.
But most people recommend a bigger PSU, so I just want to be on safe side.

So I guess I can plug 6800/7800 for a few hours and see how stable the system is? No harm will come for a short while right?

 

[Maximilian]

Originally posted by: babylon5
That was my thinking too, if HP gives me this PSU with a PCI-E slot, I assume they know people will install an extra video card.
But most people recommend a bigger PSU, so I just want to be on safe side.

So I guess I can plug 6800/7800 for a few hours and see how stable the system is? No harm will come for a short while right?

Probably not, but apparently if a PSU isnt a good brand and is put under too much load it can take out the rest of your system. Ive never heard of hipro, so i would just get a new PSU then put the card in. Your choice though.

Just cause you can put somthing into the comp, dosent mean you should.

 

[zagood]

You won't hurt anything, but I can almost guarantee that you'll need it. And you won't even realize it until you've installed your card, loaded up all the drivers, and started playing your favorite game at eyecandy settings. It'll start to bog down, then you'll go "damn, wish I'd installed a new power supply at the same time."

With a 6800, and especially a 7800, you need more amps on the +12v.

FYI, I replaced the PSU in my wife's a230n, and it was a real pain in the butt to fit it in there. Don't get any power supplies that you like because of the way they look (chrome finish, etc) cause you're gonna scratch it up trying to finagle it.

Great PSU resources:
http://www.extreme.outervision.com/index.jsp
http://forums.extremeoverclocking.com/showthread.php?t=136602

-z

 

[babylon5]

Do you think either of these will be enough:

400W

450W

I am thinking of the 400W so I don't get a big electricity bill at the end of the month

 

[Lyfer]

Originally posted by: babylon5
Do you think either of these will be enough:

400W

450W

I am thinking of the 400W so I don't get a big electricity bill at the end of the month

Winnar.

 

[t3h l337 n3wb]

Originally posted by: Lyfer

Originally posted by: babylon5
Do you think either of these will be enough:

400W

450W

I am thinking of the 400W so I don't get a big electricity bill at the end of the month

Winnar.

:thumbsup: Fortron (FSP group) makes some of the best PSU's on the market.

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: t3h l337 n3wb

Originally posted by: Lyfer

Originally posted by: babylon5
Do you think either of these will be enough:

400W

450W

I am thinking of the 400W so I don't get a big electricity bill at the end of the month

Winnar.

:thumbsup: Fortron (FSP group) makes some of the best PSU's on the market.

Agreed.

As long as you are adding all this extra hardware it might be a good time to move everything into a better, roomier case, OEM cases are very cramped. Working inside will be much easier, you're hardware will run cooler, and (if you choose wisely) you're PC will look much nicer.

 

[mike3uz]

Originally posted by: babylon5
Do you think either of these will be enough:

400W

450W

I am thinking of the 400W so I don't get a big electricity bill at the end of the month

Actually PSU's use as much power as needed so they may take less than the acutal wattage.

 

[babylon5]

Originally posted by: Operandi
[
As long as you are adding all this extra hardware it might be a good time to move everything into a better, roomier case, OEM cases are very cramped. Working inside will be much easier, you're hardware will run cooler, and (if you choose wisely) you're PC will look much nicer.

For now, I am not adding anything else inside the OEM case except for 1 new video card. I use AMD X2 3800+, so it's pretty cool inside. But yeah if I add more stuff later on, I'd try to move to a roomier case for sure, dont' want it to get too hot inside.

Originally posted by: mike3uz

Originally posted by: babylon5
Do you think either of these will be enough:

400W

450W

I am thinking of the 400W so I don't get a big electricity bill at the end of the month

Actually PSU's use as much power as needed so they may take less than the acutal wattage.

I see, so even if I use a 450W, it will only draw as needed and not at full wattage all the time. In that case, I will get a 450W then.

Thanks for all the suggestions! Now I know what PSU to get

 

[thecrecarc]

and remember, its not the wattage that counts, its the brand...

oaky, wattage DOES count, but the brand it much mreo important, id take a forton 300w anyday instead of a 500w powmax

 

[jimbob200521]

Originally posted by: thecrecarc
and remember, its not the wattage that counts, its the brand...

oaky, wattage DOES count, but the brand it much mreo important, id take a forton 300w anyday instead of a 500w powmax

true, quality over quanity i think best sums it up.