Video card upgrade for 250W Shuttle SN45

[mpcary116]

I have a Shuttle SN45 (v1) with a 250W power supply and I want to upgrade the video card because my current card (an nVidia MX-440) doesn't even meet the minimum requirements of most games today. I know that 250W is below the recommended minimum power spec for most of today's cards, but can I get away with it since it's a SFF (i.e. minimal additional components)?

I'm running an Athlon 3200XP with 1 GB (2x512 Corsair) memory, an 80 GB WD HD, and a 16x DVD R/W drive. Specifically, would the nVidia 6600 GT work? If not, what is the fastest card that would? I'd rather not upgrade the power supply, since that would almost double the cost of doing this upgrade.

 

[AzNpXdD913]

Shuttle's PSU are rated differently than other PSU's. They dont overrate their watts/ampage like many other companies. Pretty much, a 250w Shuttle PSU can handle up to a 7800gt/gtx. I have a OC'ed X850XT in my Shuttle right now on a 240w PSU and it's stable 24/7. Your 250w can handle the 6600GT with no sweat, but I would suggest saving up and get at least a 6800GS.