Running a Nvidia geforce 8800 gts OC with my current power supply

[cornwalis]

The minimum requirements for the card are:

A 425W PCI Express-compliant system power supply with a combined 12V current rating of 28A or more *Minimum system power requirement based on a typical PC configured with an Intel® Core™2 Extreme X6800 processor


I have a 12V with 25A with either 250 or 350 watts (Dell website said stock power is 350watts but the power supply in my PC says 250watts.)


I am running a Nvidia geforce 6600GT and the power requirements are 400W with 12V with 26A , and i have no problems that i know of.

Could i run the 8800 with my power now or is it crucial to upgrade power?

 

[o1die]

You could try it short term, but I would upgrade it for the long run. Newegg has several corsair power supplies on sale right now; some with email promo code discounts. 500w will be plenty; even the 400w may meet the minimum requirement. Avoid lesser brands like powmax, raidmax, etc. The best brands are antec, enermax, corsair, seasonic, and pc power and cooling. The pc power and cooling red ps on sale for $79.99 should also work nicely.

 

[JohnnyLucky]

+1 for what o1die said. No point in taking a chance that at some point your system might be underpowered.

 

[cornwalis]

ok thanks guys. i was looking around for some new power supplies but after putting down $150 for the 8800, im not sure if im ready to put anymore money down right now.

and short of a term to you mean? , i really just want to be able to play COD WaW with high visual quality and (hopefully) no lag.

what can running a card under my current power do to my PC?

 

[delluser1]

The minimum requirements for the card are:

A 425W PCI Express-compliant system power supply with a combined 12V current rating of 28A or more *Minimum system power requirement based on a typical PC configured with an Intel® Core™2 Extreme X6800 processor


I have a 12V with 25A with either 250 or 350 watts (Dell website said stock power is 350watts but the power supply in my PC says 250watts.)


I am running a Nvidia geforce 6600GT and the power requirements are 400W with 12V with 26A , and i have no problems that i know of.

Could i run the 8800 with my power now or is it crucial to upgrade power?

If the psu label says 250 watts, you have nowhere near 25 amps of 12v power and it's unlikely that the card wil run at all.
What model Dell is it ?

 

[cornwalis]

If the psu label says 250 watts, you have nowhere near 25 amps of 12v power and it's unlikely that the card wil run at all.
What model Dell is it ?

Dell Precision 370

 

[delluser1]

Dell Precision 370

It should have a 350 watt power supply, look at the label and confirm wether it is or not.
The 350 watt psu back then had a 28 amp +12v output and would work ( short term use ) for the 8800GTS, but I gotta tell ya, the P4 is gonna cripple the ability of the card.

 

[cornwalis]

my psu says dell hp-p2507fwp3 ,which is indeed 250watts. in the middle of my cooling fan it says DC12V 25.0A

Im a bit confused myself now. my 6600gt has caused no problems at all, no weird sounds, i ran it for a while then checked my mobo and nothing felt hot at all, and im not getting any random shutdowns due to overheating.

 

[JohnnyLucky]

The 6600GT at load operated at 47 watts and 3.9 amps.
The 8800GTS OC at load operates at 142 watts and 11.9 amps.
Big Difference!

 

[cornwalis]

well then looks like ill be investing in a new PSU. thanks for the help

 

[cornwalis]

whats the difference between ATX and SATA?

 

[cornwalis]

whoops nevermind

 

[cornwalis]

i found a Antec 450W SP-450 Smartpower ATX Power Supply for $40. I looked around and read reviews and apparently it lasts about 6-12 months and then it dies.
should i take a gamble for the price or find something else?

 

[JohnnyLucky]

Well, if you want to purchase an Antec power supply and you are on a budget, then consider the Antec Earthwatts series:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371006

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371007

I seem to recall reading the Antec Earthwatts series is acceptable.

 

[delluser1]

You can get the Antec EA500 for less than $43

http://www.pcboost.com/store/viewitem.asp?IDProduct=13928

 

[cornwalis]

You can get the Antec EA500 for less than $43

http://www.pcboost.com/store/viewitem.asp?IDProduct=13928

That looks about right, though it had double 12V both at 22A, does that double to 44A?

 

[delluser1]

No, the combined output of the EA500 is 34 amps.

 

[cornwalis]

No, the combined output of the EA500 is 34 amps.

oh ok. i just bought the EA500.

i appreciate yalls help.