PSU for low/mid-range video card

symbolic

June 23, 2008 7:02:45 PM

I have been searching for what type of psu I should get for my new computer for a low/mid range video card(i am on a budget of a about 150$ for a psu and card together and it has got my brain racing). Found tomshardware and thought it wouldn't hurt to ask here(Don't know a lot about computer hardware but know some).

Anyway the other day I bought http://www.gateway.com/systems/product/529668054.php

Was wondering if this psu would be fine with a nvidia 8600gt and my computer.
http://www.compusa.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1389575&Sku=T925-2060&SRCCODE=BIZUSA&CMP=OTC-BIZRATE

I know that is a pretty cheap psu but i hear thermaltake is a good brand. But wasn't sure if that would work fine with my computer + the card or not. Any help would be greatly greatly appreciated.

More about : psu low mid range video card

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pcgamer12

June 23, 2008 7:13:41 PM

It's a good PSU. 8600GT will be fine on it, why not look at 9600GT or 3850 512MB.

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pcgamer12

June 23, 2008 7:14:36 PM

Also look at Antec NeoHE 430W. It can handle dual core PC's with plenty of hard drives, an 8800GT, even with OC CPU.

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dirtmountain

Power supply Expert

Graphics card Expert

June 23, 2008 7:21:41 PM

The stock PSU in the Gateway would be fine to power a 8600GT 512 with DDR3 RAM (the DDR3 is appreciably faster than the DDR2 version) You'd only need to upgrade the PSU if you went to a more powerful graphics card.
Great buy right now on a PSU for single card solutions is the Antec 430w Earthwatts http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
$30 after rebate

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pcgamer12

June 23, 2008 7:29:16 PM

Earthwatts FTW! Save the planet while kicking ass online. I LIKE IT!

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dirtmountain

Power supply Expert

Graphics card Expert

June 23, 2008 7:32:01 PM

Higher rated GPUs that would still keep you under budget ($150) including the PSU after rebates http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168... (just make sure your system has room to fit these) both run almost 9 inches long

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symbolic

June 23, 2008 9:03:49 PM

Thanks a lot for the replies. I was going to get the 256 pci-e 8600gt http://www.compusa.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3041060&Sku=E145-8600&SRCCODE=COMPYAHSDF&cm_mmc_o=QztBBCjCVRqCjCVRqCjCVRq
I don't do a lot of heavy gaming or anything. That card says 350watt min so I would need a new psu since mine is only stock 300w. It was said that a 512 pci-e 8600gt will work with my 300w psu. Is this true Because I am kinda confused. I have seen on 2 different sites and get 2 different requirements for the 512 pci-e.

this one says 300w min http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3504453&CatId=1826

and this one says 400w with 12v current rating of 30a or more. http://www.fadfusion.com/selection.php?product_item_number=10161205321

Which one is right?

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dirtmountain

Power supply Expert

Graphics card Expert

June 23, 2008 9:34:25 PM

Wow, Fadfusion has the highest recommended power supply requirements i've ever seen for the 8600GT. You will be fine with the stock 300w power supply. Here's a couple of links you can check to see what power the 8800GT uses
http://www.atomicmpc.com.au/forums.asp?s=2&c=7&t=9354
and a link to a power supply calculator. You should be consuming about 200w to 210w of power with your system with the 8600GT included which should be plenty of margin.
http://extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp

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dirtmountain

Power supply Expert

Graphics card Expert

June 23, 2008 9:46:32 PM

I should have said that SOME 8600GT cards do not require the 6 pin supplementary power from the PSU. Probably has something to do with the fan/cooling solution. This one from Tigerdirect doesn't http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/ite...
or this one from Newegg http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

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bobwya

June 24, 2008 12:22:34 AM

symbolic said:

Thanks a lot for the replies. I was going to get the 256 pci-e 8600gt http://www.compusa.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3041060&Sku=E145-8600&SRCCODE=COMPYAHSDF&cm_mmc_o=QztBBCjCVRqCjCVRqCjCVRq
I don't do a lot of heavy gaming or anything. That card says 350watt min so I would need a new psu since mine is only stock 300w. It was said that a 512 pci-e 8600gt will work with my 300w psu. Is this true Because I am kinda confused. I have seen on 2 different sites and get 2 different requirements for the 512 pci-e.

this one says 300w min http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3504453&CatId=1826

and this one says 400w with 12v current rating of 30a or more. http://www.fadfusion.com/selection.php?product_item_number=10161205321

Which one is right?

You might as well get an older ATI card:
http://www.compusa.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3244199&body=REVIEWS
Would be just as good and 25% cheaper for a non-gamer!! I like the HIS dual-slot coolers (they are totally silent).

Bob

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