Recommendations on a booster PSU for GPU?

Adam Force · Jul 1, 2014

Hey everyone,

I have an HP Compaq 8000 Elite Mini Tower Desktop PC
Win 7 32 bit
Core 2 Duo E8400 3.00Ghz
HP 3647h Motherboard
PCIe x16
320W PSU

Right now I have an Nvidia GT 620 running, but I want to use an EVGA GeForce GTX 460 card that was just given to me.

My PSU is 320W, but I need 450-500W to power the new card.

I was wondering if you guys can point me to a 5.25 drive bay type separate PSU that can power this card? New Egg has a lot of options, but most are out of stock.

I cannot just get a higher watt standard PSU, I know that will probably be the first suggestion. This is one of those PCs that claimed to be up gradable (and are to an extent) but just doesn't have the power for the newer cards.

Thanks in advance!

plaintuts · Jul 1, 2014

does your old psu have 2 x 6-pin pci-e connector?

if it does, then you wont need to upgrade your psu, if its a decent quality.

but if your asking for separate psu for the graphics card then, that is not advisable..

Dark Lord of Tech · Jul 1, 2014

They discontinued all those BOOSTER models.

Adam Force · Jul 1, 2014

My current PSU has 1 6 pin connector (3 top 3 bottom) going to the motherboard, 1 4 pin going to the board (2 top 2 bottom) and another smaller 6 pin (in a row)... but its only 320W. The card needs 450W.

Dark Lord of Tech · Jul 1, 2014

Your PSU is insufficient and they discontinued ALL the boosters.

Adam Force · Jul 1, 2014

I've seen ones called Juice Box and Corsair I think makes one... Someone else recommended I get something like Juice Box.

So is there something similar I can use?

Dark Lord of Tech · Jul 1, 2014

I don't trust them.

plaintuts · Jul 1, 2014

that psu will not work..

the card needs 2 pieces of 6 pin pci-e connector for power.

Dark Lord of Tech · Jul 1, 2014

The PSU also lacks the 12v rail amperage.

Adam Force · Jul 1, 2014

Right, I understand that my current PSU is insufficient. This is why I'm looking for a separate PSU just to power the card. I've seen alot of good reviews on Amazon that these things do work, I'm just trying to find a solution without having to buy a whole new rig.

Adam Force · Jul 1, 2014

Would something like this work?
http://www.epowertec.com/power_cd.html

plaintuts · Jul 1, 2014

at your own risk..

Kari · Jul 1, 2014

Adam Force :

I'm willing to bet that thing costs more than a standard atx size power supply of similar wattage...

Kari · Jul 1, 2014

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371045
Antec VP-450 450W $37.99

Adam Force · Jul 1, 2014

Kari :

This will work in my HP 8000 Elite? If I have the ability to replace the PSU without messing anything up, I'll do it! I was just told that my PSU cannot be upgraded or replaced

Dark Lord of Tech · Jul 1, 2014

It still might not work with the upgraded card.
No guarantee.

Adam Force · Jul 1, 2014

Ok, so what options am I left with? Ultimately, I don't want to damage my PC. I want to get a new PSU altogether, but I'm not sure a new 450W PSU to replace my current one is safe for the HP 3647 board.

BTW, thank you for being patient with me. I'm googling my brains out trying to gather as much info as I can!

Ijack · Jul 1, 2014

You might want to read the review here: http://www.hardocp.com/article/2011/01/24/epower_juice_box_450w_auxiliary_power_supply_review/#.U7LquPldU-V before throwing your money away.

You didn't say why you couldn't simply buy a decent PSU. Is the Compaq one non-standard? If so then I wouldn't waste too much time trying to make this video card work with the computer.

Adam Force · Jul 1, 2014

Ijack :

Actually, I'm going by what I was told in another thread: http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2185280/psu-system.html

"Everything about your pc is proprietary, even the psu.
You will need to see if you have an open 5.25" bay (the kind that would fit a dvd drive, and get something like one of these:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168..."

I could be completely wrong. The GPU was free, so I'd like to make use of it. The GPU I have now isn't really good for gaming or graphics programs and the choppiness is killing my head.

Kari · Jul 1, 2014

Adam Force :

you're right, i dug up the manual (i hope it is the right one) and the mobo is using non-standard connectors for power delivery, that's a bummer

http://h20565.www2.hp.com/portal/site/hpsc/template.PAGE/public/psi/manualsResults/?sp4ts.oid=4065889&spf_p.tpst=psiContentResults&spf_p.prp_psiContentResults=wsrp-navigationalState%3Daction%253Dmanualslist%257Ccontentid%253DService-and-maintenance%257Clang%253Den&javax.portlet.begCacheTok=com.vignette.cachetoken&javax.portlet.endCacheTok=com.vignette.cachetoken

edit sell the card and buy candy?

Adam Force · Jul 1, 2014

Ok, so obviously, save getting a whole new rig, I'm pretty much stuck.

New question: Buying a new GPU altogether - What are my GPU options for this rig?

Kari · Jul 1, 2014

wattage wise you could get away with something that doesnt need external power, like the brand new gtx 750ti (there are solder points for a 6pin connector on the board but they haven't put one in it)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487025
but all that proprierity stuff is making me doubtfull, the mobo might not play nice with such a new card...

Adam Force · Jul 1, 2014

Kari :

Well, even if I can't hit the apex of quality here, I'd like to have something that can run Skyrim on high settings, something that's better than my current GT 620. Don't get me wrong, my card works for most of the things I do, just not with smooth framerates.

Recommendations on a booster PSU for GPU?

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