Wondering if a graphics card will work on my rig

PINGW4NG

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May 19, 2014
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Hi internet :)

Okay, so here's my dilemma:
I have just purchased a Sapphire Radeon HD 6870, and am waiting on delivery. I've committed to countless hours of online research to make sure this graphics card will work well with my desktop, but I still don't know how well, if at all. Right now, I have an HP a6200n, but it's not stock. I've upgraded it with a 550W PSU, added 2GB of RAM, and multiple SATA Hard Drives. I think I have the best processor the mobo can take(AMD Athlon X2 5000+ 2.6Ghz). So, my question is... Will this work with my desktop, or did I just buy an expensive paperweight?
 
Solution
Yikes. That psu only puts out 24A on the +12v rail. That's pretty low. I think it's going to have a problem running that card.

There is a high chance you are going to need a new PSU.

In addition, according to here that PSU only has:
1 x Main connector (20+4Pin)
1 x 12V(P4)
2 x peripheral
4 x SATA
1 x Floppy

No PCI-E connections. That info may not be right. Usually a 550W comes with PCI-E connectors...
There are molex to 6pin PCI-e adapters you can buy, but typically if a PSU doesn't have PCI-E connectors, it's because the PSU wasn't made to power a graphics card.
Things to confirm:

Your PSU will need 28A on the +12v rail and two 6-pin connectors
You case will need 250mm of room to fit the length of the card.
[strike]Your motherboard has an empty PCI-E x16 slot[/strike] (confirmed, I checked the site)

If you are unsure about the PSU specs, post the model name/number and I or someone else can help you confirm.
 

PINGW4NG

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May 19, 2014
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The PSU is an OKIA-550ATX
 
Yikes. That psu only puts out 24A on the +12v rail. That's pretty low. I think it's going to have a problem running that card.

There is a high chance you are going to need a new PSU.

In addition, according to here that PSU only has:
1 x Main connector (20+4Pin)
1 x 12V(P4)
2 x peripheral
4 x SATA
1 x Floppy

No PCI-E connections. That info may not be right. Usually a 550W comes with PCI-E connectors...
There are molex to 6pin PCI-e adapters you can buy, but typically if a PSU doesn't have PCI-E connectors, it's because the PSU wasn't made to power a graphics card.
 
Solution

PINGW4NG

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May 19, 2014
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Well, the parts were given to me by someone I know, as well as the desktop. So, no harm there. The only thing I've purchased so far is the graphics card.
 

PINGW4NG

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May 19, 2014
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I'm willing to purchase another PSU. What would you recommend?

 
I'm tempted to say try it with your current PSU and you may get lucky, but that's probably a really bad idea. I can't even find the website of the company that made it, let alone what kind of protection it has built in. If you stress a weak PSU that doesn't have built in protection, there is a chance it can fry parts when it dies. I would hate for that to happen to you.

This is a high quality PSU that you could use when/if you decide to build a new system.
XFX 550W $59.99 (made by Seasonic, arguably the best PSU maker in the industry).
http://www.ncixus.com/products/?usaffiliateid=1000031504&sku=59615&vpn=P1550SXXB9&manufacture=XFX
 

PINGW4NG

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May 19, 2014
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Thank you so much, you've been a great help. I think I'm going to purchase the PSU you recommended additionally to the graphics card. I'll just keep the hardware for a custom rig once I get the money. But for now, this will do. Though, just to make sure, this graphics card isn't going to bottleneck my processor, or anything silly, right?

 


I'm not sure what you mean here to be honest. In your system, your cpu and/or ram are going to be your bottleneck when gaming. Meaning they are the part of your system that will hold you back, moreso than the 6870.
 

PINGW4NG

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May 19, 2014
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Honestly, I know only the bare essentials when it comes to building a gaming rig. I just heard of people complaining about graphics cards "bottlenecking" processors. So, I just felt like I had to ask. But thanks anyways, you've been a great help :)