Wanting to upgrade from a 7600 to a 9800 GT.. need help

[tojo78]

Greetings! I currently have a 7600 256MB video card and I am looking to upgrade to a 9800 GT 1GB video card. Link to the card is below.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133244

Couple questions.. my current video card does not require external power. It looks like this one does. I checked and I only have 1 of the required power connectors left (believe its two connectors into 1 6 pin). I have 4 fans which are eating up the other connectors. I could move down to 3 fans to free up the extra connector, but I am assuming I will need a new power supply if I want to keep the 4 fans? Also, this card uses a PCI Express X16 2.0 slot.. specs on my motherboard say PCI Express X16.. but nothing about 2.0. Should I be concerned? Links below to my mobo and case with current power supply (500W)

Mobo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128012

Case with power supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156062

So in summary, here are my questions

1) Do I need a new power supply or should I just go with 3 fans instead of 4?

2) Will my mobo support this card?

Thanks!

 

[flyin15sec]

What is the amperage on the +12v rail(s)?

A 9800GT should pull around 250watts on load or more with a typical system. I think you'll be pushing it close with that PSU.

PCIe 2.0 video cards will be backwards compatible with PCIe 1.0 slots.

 

[tojo78]

Not sure what the amperage is on the +12v rail(s). Am thinking about just going ahead and upgrading my PSU to the one below. It looks like it comes with the connectors I need for the video card (PCI-E?). Am I off base here with this idea?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182149

 

[meodowla]

nVidia recommends 500W... So better get little more than that... and 9800GTX+ would be much better than a 9800GT... it utilises less power than 9800GT... and is much faster.... so go for 9800GTX+...

 

[tojo78]

700W do the trick?

 

[flyin15sec]

700W will be plenty for 9800GT or 9800GTX+

 

[B-Unit]

You'll also want to get a PSU from a quality vendor. Seasonic, Corsair, PC Power & Cooling, Antec, and some OCZ units are the safe bets.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005 <-- Corsair 650W, $60 off and free shipping right now.