Is this PSU enough to run my video card?

[DeadlyNinja]

I just got my new PC, and I checked the PSU. It's only 250W. I want to put my old 8800GS into it, but I'm kinda worried. Although I heard my new CPU is quite low in power consumption.

The specs are Althon II X2 215, 3 GB RAM, 500 GB harddrive.

My previous PC had a 300W PSU with a Athlon X2 4200+, 2 GB RAM, and 320 Hardrrive, but ran into no problems with the 8800GS.

 

[Soylent Joe]

Minimum System Requirements

* 1GB of system memory
* CD-ROM drive
* 50MB of available hard disk drive space for basic driver installation
* Microsoft Windows XP operating system
* PCI Express-compliant motherboard with one vacant PCI Express x16 slot
* 450W PCI Express-compliant system power supply with a combined 12V current rating of 30A or more.

I'm sure it would actually run on less than a 450W, but definitely not a 250W. Why in the world would they put such a tiny PSU in there. Retail manufacturers nowdays :shadedshu

 

[DeadlyNinja]

Well, I was told those numbers were based on really powerful system requirements or something, and if my system isn't that powerful, there's enough leftover to run the card. Like I said, my 300w PSU ran the card for almost 2 years without any trouble at all. I wanted to ask because removing the PSU is a bit of a pain. I have a spare PSU, thank god.

 

[kurosagi01]

where do you live?? a corsair CX 400W PSU could easily run your video card and desktop,maybe a OCZ stealthstream 400W too but i reconmend the corsair over the OCZ

 

[DeadlyNinja]

I live in NYC.

No need for the 400W. I'm sure with my new CPU that uses even less power won't cause a problem for the 300W PSU. Actually, I might have a spare 400W hidden in my garage somewhere.

 

[R_1]

Don't be so sure! A pretty 3D game can max your PSU wattage with ease. If your PSU isn't build by a descent manufacturer and don't have required Amps - GPU won't even start in 3D.

 

[Mvgratz]

As others have said.. in short no. Not unless your 250watt psu puts out about ~10 amps on the 12volt rail. Since the 8800gs is more or less a 9600gso and they draw about 10amps per card on one of my folding rigs. Here's a source for some "actual" power requirements of just gpu's (this is an older source but it shows up to the GTX280 series.) It "might" work for 2d app's but I have a feeling it's not going to be enough to do anything graphically intensive.

Source for some gpu power draw requirements.. http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-radeon-power,2122-6.html

 

[Asylum]

Trust me man...You dont want to run anything with that low of a power supply on anything
your upgrading. Why not go ahead and buy you a good PSU that you wont have to worry about killing your new parts. It wont cost you much to find a good PSU now days.
It is the backbone of your system.

 

[mlee49]

PSU Calculator anyone?

 

[Easy Rhino]

i think everyone else has answered your question. and even if it did run you would be playing with fire. that PSU would most definitely short out in about 6-12 months and it could take out some of your components with it.

 

[Mussels]

i think everyone else has answered your question. and even if it did run you would be playing with fire. that PSU would most definitely short out in about 6-12 months and it could take out some of your components with it.

^ what he said


wattage is spread out over several rails in a PSU, even if the video card only needs 100W of your 250W, theres no guarantee that 100W will be available on the rail the video card needs it to be on.


As suggested, grab yourself a cheap, quality unit like a corsair 400W