Enough power for video upgrade?

[Gooberlx2]

I want to upgrade the video card in my Dell to (I think) an X1800XT 512MB (mainly because I want to game at something higher than 1024x640). I very much don't think the existing 350W PSU is going to cut it. So I was thinking the 470W PC-P&C Dell Silencer PSU might. Will the PC-P&C PSU do it with all the other junk inside my computer (specs below), and leave enough left over for something like a TV card?

Thoughts/comments on either the PSU or Video Card...or if it's even worth it with a behind-the-times-ish CPU like this?

CPU: Intel Pentium 4 Prescott 3.2GHz
PSU: Dell 350W something-or-other
Motherboard: Dell Dimension 8400
Memory: 2048 MB of Samsung, OCZ DDR2 PC2-4200 (4x512)
Current Video Card: Dell 6800 vanilla (NV41) 256MB Nvidia Geforce
CD R/W: TDK True40x (or something like that)
DVD R/W: NEC ND-2500A
Sound Card: Creative X-Fi XtremeMusic

Hard Drives:
1x160GB Seagate
1x200GB Western Digital SE (PATA-->SATA adapter)
1x300GB Maxtor Maxline III

 

[Powermoloch]

The PSU will do fine IMO and so as for the card :thumbsup:

 

[Gooberlx2]

Originally posted by: Powermoloch
The PSU will do fine IMO and so as for the card :thumbsup:

Awesome...I figure it's quite a bit cheaper than building a whole new system. CPU isn't too outdated?

 

[Ika]

Originally posted by: Gooberlx2

Originally posted by: Powermoloch
The PSU will do fine IMO and so as for the card :thumbsup:

Awesome...I figure it's quite a bit cheaper than building a whole new system. CPU isn't too outdated?

your CPU might limit you in some games, but it won't get anywhere near critical range in the next few years.

 

[Gooberlx2]

After some more research, and reading what some users and user-reviews have said on Dell Forums, Newegg, guru3d, etc...it seems the various 7900gt's use less enough power that I ought to be able just stick one of those in without having to get a different PSU, even with plenty of other peripherals inside.

...I guess Dell tends to underrate their PSUs.

 

[Gooberlx2]

Grrr now I'm reading the stock PSU might be good enough for an x1800xt as well...

Now I have to read through this long and ridiculous thread.

 

[firebyyrd]

The stock PSU is NOT good enough for an X1800XT.

 

[SpeedZealot369]

7900gt does 50w under load, but with your HD'age and pentium 4 processor, i dont know really. I would say if it's enough for your current video card its enough for a 7900gt/7600gt.

 

[Gooberlx2]

ah yeah, further reading has made me learn that there's much debate on whether the stock 8400 PSU is enough...and likely not under an "added-on-to" like mine.

OTOH, I've also learned that the Dimension 8400 will take a 24-pin ATX power supply. So that's something that might allow me to at least price out other PSUs. Great, more crap to compare and shop for.

 

[OvErHeAtInG]

Yeah I'd say that if power is a concern, go with a 7900GT, which draws less power, or even a 7600GT which will still allow you to crank the res a bit. And then you can save for a complete system build