x1900xt power supply

[santz]

i consider my self fairly knowledgable about computers but i am just entering into the details of a computer. please help

i just bought an x1900xt , ( still being shipped). but i dont know if the power supply in my case would support it.

i have a dell dimension 9150. at dells website , this is what it says about power of the machine:

Power
Bullet Output Wattage: 375 Watts
Bullet Input Voltage (auto-sensing): 90 to 135V at 50/60 Hz; or 180 to 265 V at 50/60 Hz
Bullet Heat Dissipation: 1280 BTU/hour (fully loaded computer without monitor)
Bullet Backup Battery: 3.0 V CR2032 coin cell

also i do not know anything about the heat the card will generate and whether the stock fans inside my case would be enough.

should i get additional power supply and extra fans for case and a seperate fan for the gpu? what oh what should i do. please provide specifics ( what to buy). i can spend moderately on all that.


1gbram, Dual core 2.8ghz,dvd writer,dvd rom, 160gb 7200rpm hard drive.

 

[Luckyboy1]

I would simply try it and see if it works before trying to upgrade that power supply based on...

i can spend moderately on all that.

Because due to financial considerations, that will be an uphill battle.


I would suggest getting a PCI slot fan to help that Dell case breathe and be good about blowing all the dust bunnies out including from the power supply, as that will reduce the efficiency of the power supply.

 

[Bobthelost]

The X1900XT exhausts most of the heat from the case so i wouldn't worry about that too much. As to your PSU? I have no idea i'm afraid.

 

[Luckyboy1]

Most Dell cases don't give you the option of adding intake air capacity, so that's why I said get the slot fan.

 

[hans007]

it should be fine cooling wise, as the dell is btx and has like 2 120mm fans or something like that. the power supplies in those machines are 375 watts but they probably are fairly high quality.

i mean you can buy the dell with a7800gtx AND a pentium D 940 (and used to be 840) so i would assume if it can handle those 2 together, then it can handle a x1900xt (which is mabye a bit more power than the 7800gtx) and whatever cpu you got.

i think if you got the highest cpu for th e9150 and like say added a harddrive and some other things and the x1900xt you'd be pushing it, but yeah just try it like the others say.

 

[santz]

hmmmmmmmmmmmm, i will try it then, but how would i know it is not working, will my cpu auto shut down or what ? or is their any chance of my video card being damaged? dont wanna even go that way 🙁

thanks

at some websites, it says that minimum 450 watts power supply reqd. now what do i do

 

[Bobthelost]

The graphics card won't be hurt, nor will the rest of the system. It'll either give random reboots or just not boot at all, or maybe complain because there isn't enough juice.

 

[Luckyboy1]

Or if not enough power or cooling, you may get some mild to moderate graphics corruption, but it will clear up once you adress the issues at hand, if any.

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

OP, IDK about your cooling needs or anything about setting up a BTX system or how your case is cooled but I do know that if your case is starved for air, PSU output will fall off.

The good news is Dell does their PSUs right. Dell's PSUs are made by LiteOn, a VG commercial builder that just happens to build for SuperMicro and AbleCom.

Your 375watt unit would probably crush a generic 500watt unit. So do use it with little doubt it won't support your up-grade. As suggested, you might want to blow it out if dusty/dirty. DO NOT spin up the fan with canned air, it is rough on the bearings.


...Galvanized

 

[santz]

this makes me so happy, i wanna just.............do something.........whatever something.....

thanks all!!
will keep you all updated at how my cpu handles the x1900xt..