Trying to Upgrade Stock Video Card for MATX

saferwaters

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Jul 31, 2008
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So here is my problem: I bought a new computer from HP (model #: a6130n). I am a gamer and the stock graphic card sucks horribly. I have to run Battlefield 2 on lowest settings. So, I looked into getting a new graphics card. The 8800 GT seemed great for a, now, reasonable price but takes too much power for my computer to handle. I looked into PSU's and found that Micro ATX cases have really low output PSU's. The highest I have seen is 420W but the newegg PSU calculator says that I would need 555 watts to run my set up.

So, what should I do?!

It would be great if I could just by an 20 -> 24 pin adapter so I could get a 600 watt ATX power supply. I just don't know if ATX power supplies are compatible with an matx configuration even with the 20 -> 24 pin adapter.

Also, I could get the 2600 HD by Radeon which is a lot cheaper and I could run with a 420w matx PSU but it would be great if I could get the 8800 GT (or is it GTX?).
 
If doing any GPU upgrades you will need a quality PSU. A good 450W PSU (ie 450VX) will do a fine job for any GPU up to a 8800GTS. Almost all the good PSUs let you revert to 20pin by removing 4 pins (usually this is indicated in the specs as "20+4 pin").

Here is a very good quality PSU that won't cost too much:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139003&Tpk=Corsair%2b450VX

For a 8800GT you will need ~380W(+ good amps on +12 rail) depending on HDDS,etc.

Here is a good PSU calculator:
http://extreme.outervision.com/psucalculator.jsp


 

saferwaters

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Jul 31, 2008
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Ok, so what your saying is that 1) that PSU will indeed work with a matx motherboard and 2) it will be enough to run the 8800 GT... awesome.

Now I just have to hope it all fits in my case and I probably also need to get a cooling system.

Thanks