Need help finding a GDDR3 Card compatible with a 300W PSU

[mikieh]

I was looking for a GDDR3 Card that will work with a couple different systems that have 300W PSU's.

Not really wanting to invest in PSU as well. I know this would be the best option, but just not happening at this time.

Several people have suggested the following cards:
2600
3650
8600GT

All seem to require larger power supplies from the info I find, even though some have said they only require 300W PSU's.

If you know of one of these cards that meet my requirements could you show me the link that shows this. Does not have to be one of these. I just do not want to purchase 2 of these then have to return them of purchase 2 PSU's.

 

[dagger]

Memory doesn't matter in term of power consumption. It's mostly the gpu core that makes the dent, and those gpus you listed are mid-low end models that use little power and deliver little performance. 300watt will be enough, if the rest of your system is about the same level as those cards. If you use something like oced q6600 and high rpm hdds, it won't be enough.

 

[ilovebarny]

there is a 2600xt that has gddr4 which would be better but most all cards recomend at lest a 400watt psu. thats not to say it wont work on less. just like dont overclock. i have the 8600 gt and its not a bad card but i run it on 500watts.

 

[MoeDaKilla]

8600 gt would be good I'm running one off of a 300 watt psu. However, you can buy a dedicated psu for your graphics card without changing too much. They fit in 5.25" drive bays

 

[mikieh]

So most of you would say that It is okay to overlook manufacturers minimum recommendations on the PSU for these three cards??

Ther reason I ask is when at the local Frey's Electronics, I noticed that all the DDR3 Versions of the above listed cards stated a 350-450w Min PSU. While in comparison the DDR2 Versions of all 3 stated a minimum of 300w PSU.

So what gives?

 

[dagger]

So most of you would say that It is okay to overlook manufacturers minimum recommendations on the PSU for these three cards??

Ther reason I ask is when at the local Frey's Electronics, I noticed that all the DDR3 Versions of the above listed cards stated a 350-450w Min PSU. While in comparison the DDR2 Versions of all 3 stated a minimum of 300w PSU.

So what gives?

Don't believe those. They probably thought people who buy more expensive versions has better components other than graphics card. The ram itself makes no impact on power consumption.

 

[crusoe74]

You don't mention what amperage your PSU puts out but I used to run an old AGP GF6800GT on a 300w PSU with only 17amps.

Yes, all the cards you have mentioned will beat that, but you could get a 7600GT to run on the same (if you can still find them) just don't expect DX10 'cos you won't get it, but it does have GDDR3 memory.

 

[houstonserenity]

Sorry to be the one to say this, <and here it comes> "but" you mite want to rethink investing in upgrades on a dead platform.

 

[mikieh]

System Specs (As per dxdiag)
Gateway 825GM
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.40GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory: 2046MB RAM

300W PSU
305W HIPRO model HP-P3087F3
It says +12A VDC and +12B VDC, both with 18.0amps

Current Crappy Video
Card name: ATI Radeon X300/X550/X1050 Series
Chip type: ATI Radeon Graphics Processor (0x5B60)
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_5B60&SUBSYS_06201462&REV_00
Display Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)

 

[mikieh]

Any thoughts given the full specs?

In recap would you all say if a particular GDDR2 card says it is ok for my PSU then the corresponding GDDR3 would be as well?