Tom's Hardware > Forum > Graphic & Displays > ATI > HD3850 and 300" OEM PSU??!!
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David McMahon   12-10-2007 at 11:05:46 PM

Hi getting a HD3850 for a HP OEM machine and has

PCI-e slot

But does not have

PCI-e power connector

the PSU itself is only the cheap OEM 300W unit

and powers a

MATX Board

Pentium D 820 (think <it's running at 2.8GHz> )

2x 512MB Ram

7200RPM SATA drive

A weird usb Drive bay thing (you put a Propriety USB HDD in the slot at the front.

PCI 56K Modem (gonna take this out as they have Broadband)

So is 300W good enough? My instinct is to supply a 500W Seasonic, Antec etc but that push the cost up so the customers kid wont be playing Call of duty 4 this year :(

The PSU will also need a Molex-PCIe connector so are they any good? I hate adapters!

Also will COD4 need 2GB?

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Shastaski   12-10-2007 at 11:23:32 PM
- 0 +

I know for my 3870, it recommends 450W PSU, I had purchased a 600W supply on a previous upgrade so I was good to go with mine. The specs on your card require a 450W PSU so I would go with at least a 500W supply. In addition, your current supply does not have the PCIe connector and most likely, any alternative connection won't maintain the proper voltage you will need that to power your card. I would not "mickie" it and just get the correct supply.

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Cleeve   12-10-2007 at 11:27:13 PM
- 0 +

300w is not good enough. Probably cause crashing under load.

------------------------------ Cleeve
Hardware Editor, Tom's Hardware Guide
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David McMahon   12-10-2007 at 11:47:49 PM
- 0 +

Yeah gonna recommend a new PSU, is the Seasonice S12-series still the best? I did tell him to get a console for games!! (he's not an enthuast)

p.s His kid managed to get Hamachi working for him and his friends! I'l be out of the job soon!

Reply to David McMahon
50bmg   12-11-2007 at 08:36:28 PM
- 0 +

I to have an Hp with a 3870. You will need a new PSU. Get at least a 500w with +-36a combined 12V. I put in a 500w antec with 36a combined for my 3870. no problems. Best buy or Circuit city will probably have one that will fill this need. If you want more power for future upgrades than best hit tigerdirect or newegg. I was in a pinch or i would have ordered a better PSU.

Reply to 50bmg
David McMahon   12-12-2007 at 07:22:45 PM
- 0 +

Getting him to get a 550W Corsair PSU, 5 year warranty LN19849 at www.scan.co.uk (Always get my parts there)

to compliment the LN20881 GPU

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