GTX 260 Power Supply Req

[wb182]

I've got a Dell XPS 420 with a 375W Power Supply. Obviously it appears to be a bit lacking when the GTX 260 recommends 500W+ and requires 2 6-pin PCI-E connectors.

But I've read several places that the Dell 375W is actually rated differently and is in fact better than many 550W. Also that the GTX 260 isn't quite as power hungry as it makes itself out to be.

So is anyone familiar w/ these Dell PSU's and think that it will hold up? Or is it too risky and I need to just get a new power supply (I don't overclock at all). I really don't want to spend more than $50 on a PSU if that's the route I have to go, so any recommendations there?

Alternatively, if the Dell PSU is sufficient, I still have to figure out a way to power the card, because I only have 1 PCI-E connector, and I can't convert 2 4-pin (molex?) for the 2nd PCI-E connector because I only have 1 free one. So I was going to try to track down a 6-pin PCI-E Y Splitter to turn the 1 into 2, but I really don't know what I'm doing and am open to suggestions.

Thanks for any advice you can offer!

 

[alcoholbob]

Well your PSU is not modular so yeah, you're basically stuck with splitters. I'm sure your PSU is fine. I'm looking at extreme power supply calculator and the stock XPS 420 with a 260 216 at full 100% load (almost impossible unless your running a synthetic stress program) you'd be under 340W. Recommended PSU: 270W

lol

 

[VirtualLarry]

Get one of these

 

[toyota]

what are the rest of your systems specs?

 

[wb182]

standard for the xps 420, Q6600 processor, 4GB ram, onboard audio, single 350gb hard drive.

Thanks for the advice Astrallite & VirtualLarry. Actually spent most of the afternoon looking for one of those Y splitters, and not only did the computer shops not have one, but they felt compelled to lecture me about how I had to get another power supply that had the 2 pci-e's w/out using a splitter.

Heading up to Atlanta tomorrow, so maybe I'll have better luck finding somewhere that sells one. I normally buy everything online (from TV's to coffee), but in this case I really don't want to wait for shipping so i can get my computer up and running asap.

 

[toyota]

Originally posted by: wb182
standard for the xps 420, Q6600 processor, 4GB ram, onboard audio, single 350gb hard drive.

Thanks for the advice Astrallite & VirtualLarry. Actually spent most of the afternoon looking for one of those Y splitters, and not only did the computer shops not have one, but they felt compelled to lecture me about how I had to get another power supply that had the 2 pci-e's w/out using a splitter.

Heading up to Atlanta tomorrow, so maybe I'll have better luck finding somewhere that sells one. I normally buy everything online (from TV's to coffee), but in this case I really don't want to wait for shipping so i can get my computer up and running asap.

well I can tell you this. on quad core cpu equipped XPS 420 systems Dell eventually starting putting a 425 watt psu in there because the 375 watt unit was cutting it close with a decent graphics card. that 375 watt unit is good for an oem psu but is not even as good as say a Corsair 400 watt psu. you could could probably get by with it so taking that risk is up to you.