Power Supply for Graphics Card

[rmthompson]

Ok, I am purchasing a new graphics card for my crappy Compaq Presario.

I need a new powersupply, I know this much, but what is the special connector to the video card called?

I know some/most video cards requite a direct power to the powersupply, but when i search power supplys, i never can find any that say they have this!!!!!

 

[michaelahess]

Make sure it doesn't have a proprietary ps, lots of those pos's do. what model is it?

Most pci-e cards have a 6 pin pci-e power plug, lots of agp cards have a standard molex of the 3.5 or 5.25 variety.

 

[Vile]

There's no really a need to change your Power Supply UNLESS it's 300W or around and you're planning to get a 7800GTX or something as massive.

About the connectors, don't worry, almost all PCIe cards come with the necessary adapter to turn Molex into the 6-pin cable needed to supply the video card with power. (We're talkin about PCIe video cards, right?)

 

[RichPLS]

http://www.tomshardware.com/2005/11/23/pc_interfaces_101/

This may be of some help if you want to understand connectors...

 

[rmthompson]

There's no really a need to change your Power Supply UNLESS it's 300W or around and you're planning to get a 7800GTX or something as massive.

About the connectors, don't worry, almost all PCIe cards come with the necessary adapter to turn Molex into the 6-pin cable needed to supply the video card with power. (We're talkin about PCIe video cards, right?)

Sorry, should've been more specific.

I have a 250WATT powersupply in my Compaq now.

ALSO - I only have an AGP connector.

I want to get like an X800 or 6800 (GS GT or just plain)

 

[rmthompson]

Well, I have a Compaq Presario also. I'm ashamed, but whatever. A 6800 or X800 should work, but it seems you have AGP. I think those card will work fine on your power supply.

Really? I would love this, because I could spend the extra 50 bucks on a 512 stick of ram...

BUT - Everyone thus far has claimed I NEEEED It.

I wish I knew the power pull of everything I have...

I have a soundcard in a pci slot, and a modem that I never ever use!

But - I also don't think the Power Supply will have the connector I need...

 

[rmthompson]

I took out the PCI cards I don't use. So you can remove them. Also, adding RAM will help.

The power supply might work with the cards but I think you might have to get a new one. A card like a 9800Pro doesn't need extra power, and will work fine with outr power supply.
BTW, what are your system specs?

Processor: AMD Sempron(tm) Processor 3100+, MMX, 3DNow, ~1.8GHz
Memory: 1280MB RAM
Page File: 398MB used, 1309MB available
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200
Display Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)

I want to upgrade to around a X800 or any of the 6800..

My main goals are this:

256 bit interface
minimum 256MB Graphics RAM
at least 12 pipelines
and, possibly, Shader Model 3.0

I don't have a problem buying a new 25 - 40 dollar power supply... as long as I can use it with my graphics card...

So this is where I get LOST... Where is a good place to shop for POWER SUPPLYS? And how do I know if they have what I need.

I dont want to spend more than 50, because I only have 250 for the ENTIRE upgrade... and I still need to buy the graphics card!

 

[rmthompson]

Well, a 6800GS or a X800GTO would be your best choices. As for the power supply, if you live in US, look at www.newegg.com

Thats just it.

IVE LOOKED, but I cannot find what I am looking for.. it seems there are too many options! I want to make sure it will work!

 

[michaelahess]

Check your model at compaq or hp.com and get the specs on the system, particularly the mb, it will say if it's standard atx or if it has a proprietary connection, current pavillions seem to mostly be standard so I would assume the same. If it says standard atx or atx type or whatever, find a good name brand ps that fits your price range, any of them should work, verify if it's 20 or 24 pin main connector though and get one that matches.

I'd go with:
Silverstone
Enermax
Antec
Fortran
Even Rosewill's over 300w seem decent and CHEAP.

You certainly aren't going to find anything that says "This works on Compaq Presario Models...." You've got to fill in the blanks yourself to figure out what will work. Give me the model and I can tell you for sure!

 

[rmthompson]

You certainly aren't going to find anything that says "This works on Compaq Presario Models...." You've got to fill in the blanks yourself to figure out what will work. Give me the model and I can tell you for sure!

Ok Ive got this:

Compaq Presario SR1514NX

Form factor Micro-ATX form factor: 9.6 in x 9.6 in
System BIOS Supplier Award
Processor AMD Athlon 64 processor with HyperTransport support
Processor socket type Socket 754
Processor front side bus frequency 1600 MT/s @ 800 MHz
Maximum approved processor Athlon64 3700+ or AMD Athlon64 3400+

Chipset "North Bridge" SiS760
Chipset "South Bridge" SiS964
Memory type PC 2700 or PC 3200 DDR
Memory sockets 2 x 184-pin DDR DIMM
Maximum Memory 2.0 GB
Graphics None
Graphics configuration Up
Graphics connector (AGP) 1 AGP 8x
Audio Integrated AC97
AC'97 CODEC Device Realtek ALC658C 6-channel CODEC
Audio Jacks ( Legend below ) 2M (1F+1B), 2LI (1F+1B), LO, Headphone connector
Ethernet 10/100 LAN supplier Realtek® RTL8201CL LAN PHY Fast Ethernet LAN controller
Ethernet configuration Integrated, Down
IEE 1394 VIA VT6307
IEE 1394 Front/Back Options 1F + 1B
SATA connectors 2 SATA connectors (supports a total of 2 drives, 1 serial ATA-150 disk drive on each connector)
IDE UDMA modes 2 x UDMA 100/66/33
Expansion slots (AGP/PCI/Exten) 1 AGP, 3 PCI
USB ports Up to 6
USB Front/Back Options Up to 2F + 4B
Serial, parallel, floppy, PS2 keyboard and mouse 1S,1P,1F,PS2 K+M
Available manufacturing options ( Legend below ) ULE6

 

[rmthompson]

shameless bump.

excuse me.

 

[rmthompson]

Seems like you have a 20pin power connector on the mobo. You can find a good enough power supply for your system.

OK - but my question here is, what KIND is it? ATX? Mini? I go to newegg and I get these options:


ATX (134) ATX/BTX (5) ATX12V (163) ATX12V/ EPS12V (32) ATX12V/ MicroATX (1) EPS12V (20) MicroATX (15) SFX (2) SFX12V (7) TFX12V (1) AT (1)

Ive got no idea what IM looking for, and whethere or not the one I find will have the video card conncetor...

Also - how do I find out if its 20 pin or not?

 

[someguyy]

anything that is under the ATX list and has a 20 pin mobo connector should work for you

 

[michaelahess]

Indeed, you might also check the physical dimensions listed on newegg and measure your current one, just to be sure.