Our computer has got a 7300gs card but i want to play Oblivion, I'm not very technical but have done some reading and wondered whether an 8800gt would work with a 450w psu with 18w on the 12v rail? the comp is a pentium 4 duo with 2gb of ram and 160 hard drive, i'm just worried about the psu. thanks in advance

I would not try it with 18 amp 12v. Budget in a new PSU if you want a card like the 8800GT.

Pentium 4 duo... ? Do you mean a Pentium D?

Also, I think you mean 18A (amperes) on the 12v rail, not W. W is Watts. If that's the case it should work as long as your PSU manufacturer didn't exaggerate the stats. (Does it have the brand listed on it?) Either way, I think it will work... but it's hard to say unless you post more about your PSU. Brand, total wattage, etc.

thanks for the replies, told you I wasn't technical!!!

The CPU is probably an Intel Pentium Dual Core.

although you have thanked people, you arent done yet!

We wont let you go until you have a verifiable answer.....or a thread with 100 posts debating the right answer.

So give us your PSU make and model.

Oh God, now Im gonna have to go searching!!!

Right, the info I've got is that it is a Winpower ATX 450. Our old comp blew up so we just got a cheap custom built job from Ebay, with a view to getting a better one when finances allow, but I need my games fix!! I've been reading the home buld section but think I lack the confidence and technical know how, but I reckon I could save a fortune!

http://www.power-win.com/en/p/43-s [...] upply.html

If it's that winpower 450W it says 17 amp on 12v rail and 70% efficiency. Either way, 17-18 amp says no way IMO. I know this is overkill and assumes a loaded system, but my BFG 8800GT box says minimum of a 425w PSU with 28 amp 12v. I'd try one with an Antec Earthwatts 380W but that has 27 amp 12v. 24 amp may be fine; But 18 amp I still say no way for stability and long life.