Radeon 9500Pro power requirements

[ChuaChua]

Umm. Im not sure if the computer I'm using is compatible with the Radeon 9500pro.

Specs:
P4 1.4GHz
128 MB of RAM (upgrade in spring '03?)
20 GB hard drive
TNT2 m64/m64pro AGP w/ 32MB
250 Watt power supply
CD burner
intergrated sound card
56k modem (i use cable internet)
NIC card
floppy drive

WIll my 250W PSU handle the power requirements? I heard the recommended is 300W. I dont have that many things installed so heh.

Im going to upgrade my vid card first because the TNT2 I have now is ummm not fast enough. I was going to upgrade to a Geforce3 or my RAM last year but i bought a GameCube instead and I've spent my other money to buy GameCube games. hehe.
(GO METROID)
The Radeon9500pro costs like CAN$320 ( plus the 14.5% tax) here in Canada.
I only have about CAN$400 so... I could either get Radeon9500Pro or Geforce4Ti4200. Planning to buy more RAM in spring.

thanks for the help. Ive always wanted to join the forums but I didnt need to before. hehehe

 

[Serp86]

I dunno - i have a 250w power supply and a radeon 9700pro and it is working just fine. I also have 2 hd's, 1dvd, and 1cd-rw. There are no lockups.

However, i have a pentium 3 1ghz and it may use less power than your 1.4a. However, i strongly suspect that they said that to people who had 2ghz+ processors as this range is the most suited for these cards. I dunno though. You can always buy it and see what happens. 300w psu's aren't that expensive after all.

 

[ChuaChua]

thank you.

I am planning to upgrade in the coming years.
video card first. (TNT2 doesnt cut it anymore)
then ram in february/spring
then upgrade other parts

 

[Orbius]

omg you're going from a TnT2 to a 9700pro. You might have a stroke or something after you play your first game.

 

[ChuaChua]

the MSI geforce4 ti4200 that i can get has a large bundle of games.


MSI Geforce 4 Ti4200[/L][/L]

but i wouldnt be able to finish them. still havent finished half life. hehe

so I am getting the radeon9500 pro

 

[ChuaChua]

im only getting the radeon 9500pro.

the radeon 9700pro costs CAN$600. plus tax. no money.

 

[vexingv]

omg you're going from a TnT2 to a 9700pro. You might have a stroke or something after you play your first game.

lol

 

[morfeu]

You should get at least a 300w PSU! It would be safe!

 

[broadwayblue]

i pulled a 9700tx from a new dell and stuck it in my older dell 4500 (which only has a 230w ps as far as i know) and it works fine. the 8250 i pulled it out of only has a 250w ps so it seems that you don't really need some super high wattage ps to run these new radeons.

 

[ChuaChua]

hehehe.

i am planning to upgrade in the coming years.

 

[mechBgon]

I would be safe and get a new 350W Sparkle Power from newegg.com for $42. Did you know that just adding one DDR module can increase your power requirements by about 15W? RAMBUS is worse. Your CPU runs over 50W (typical) under load.

And make sure to finish Half-Life, the final boss monster is a trip and a half!

 

[ChuaChua]

thanks

 

[ChuaChua]

i have 2 rdram modules filled with 64mb each.
can anyone calculate the estimated watt the comp im using is currently using?
i heard that i dont have to put in two rdram sticks at a time?

 

[mechBgon]

With your system, you will need to add RDRAM modules in pairs. They produce a lot of heat, which means they consume a lot of electricity.

 

[ChuaChua]

here's the thing:

R9500pro CAN$318
RDRAM 128MB(one module) CAN$70
PSU CAN$70

i only have CAN$400

by spring i can afford 2 rdram modules and a PSU
so heh vid card first.

i am planning to take stuff out though.
i dont use a 56k modem anymore. it just blocks the fan of my tnt2

 

[mechBgon]

Friend, you cannot add just one RDRAM module to your system. They have to be installed in pairs. (edit: or maybe your point is that two modules would exceed your budget )

 

[ChuaChua]

yeah. i cant afford to put in two 128MB modules right now. i can put in 2x64MB but i need more ram.
in spring i would probably get 2 x 128MB modules and a new PSU.

hehehe when playing with America's Army(yay i got AA to run) i would get 6fps in 640x480 and everything turned off.

yeah but my question is, would i be able to run R9500pro without much problem?

 

[Chupa]

I JUST got a Radeon 9500Pro. I also got an Athlon XP 2100, new mobo, and RAM, all at the same time. After I got the PCU and before I got the RAM I noticed that my PSU was running a little hot. I checked it, and it's just 230W (!). So I got the Radeon and I've been having all sorts of lockups and flashing textures and such. I was not able to complete a 3DMark test. I then stole the PSU from my parent's computer, which is rated at 300W but is really cheap. I noticed a lot less problems in 3DMark, and though it froze on me several more times, I just tried it again, and it finally completed. Sooo, I have an Enermax 350W PSU ordered that will hopefully take care of the problem

 

[ChuaChua]

chupa, what is inside your machine? cdrw, dvd, additional cards?

 

[SFang]

Check Newegg.com here, spend less than $30, you may get both a decent case and a 300W+ Power supply.

 

[ChuaChua]

dont trust online anymore.
bad experience with online stuff.
so heh im looking offline.


a 300W costs like CAN$50 or something.

oooh quick question:
what is the recommended temperature inside a computer?
im showing like 45degrees celsius

 

[mechBgon]

45° is really high! :Q I would recommend 30°C if you can attain it, 35°C at the most (note: real air temperatures as measured with a real thermometer, not the mobo sensor). An 80mm exhaust fan on the rear panel usually helps a lot, does your case have a position available for one? The air that's being exhausted also needs some way to come in first, so if your case has poor vents, you may want to enlarge them or get a different case (Antec SX630II would give you good vents, an 80mm fan AND a new SL300 power supply all in one shot).

I don't know what offline retailers are available in your area, but see if you can find at least an Antec SL300 or preferably an SL350, or a Sparkle Power (SPI) FSP300 or FSP350. I see a Canadian online retailer with the SPI FSP300 for CAN$46.48 here. I know you said you didn't want to go online, but whatever you do, buy quality.

 

[ChuaChua]

i use the temperature sensors inside the computer. Outside, its about 20degrees Celsuis.
yeah i get ventilation into the case. holes on the sides, fans inside, fan on the case.
even my TNT2 has a fan

 

[Angus]

hey, chua , which province re you in?
ncix has some cheap powersupply which you cna buy it from their local store if you re in bc.

and in alberta, edmonton's a-comp is selling a 350watt(420watt marked on the psu) for $26( i'm using it which is not bad, cheap and no problem so far, it's 28a for3.3v, 40a for 5.0v and 18a for 12.0v)

 

[ChuaChua]

i live in vancouver. where?