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[Solved] Need a new graphics card with DVI, 300W PSU

Forum Graphic & Displays : Graphics Cards - [Solved] Need a new graphics card with DVI, 300W PSU

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Best answer from TheGreatGrapeApe.

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gjbelly   10-07-2009 at 04:59:19 PM

I want to upgrade my system with a graphics card that has DVI out, preferabily duel monitor support. As it turns out, my system only has a 300W PSU. I will be running Photoshop CS4 64bit addition. Can you recommend a card that would work without upgrading my PSU. Is there any chance this card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814133279 would work, as it says low power use.

My computer specs are below and here. http://www.costco.com/Browse/Produ [...] 71&topnav=

Processor & Memory:

* Intel Core 2 Quad Processor Q9400 (2.66GHz)
* 6MB L2 Cache
* 1333MHz Fron Side Bus
* 8GB DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz (4 x 2GB) (Shared)

Drives:

* 750GB 7200RPM SATA II Hard Drive
* 16X DVD+/-RW Drive

Graphics & Video:

Dell S2309W 23" Widescreen LCD

Integrated GMA X4500 Graphics (Shared)

Communications:

* 56k PCI Data Fax Modem
* Integrated NIC Card

Audio:

* Integrated 5.1 Channel Audio
* Dell AX210 USB Stereo Speakers

Slots:

* PCIe x 1: 1 slot
* PCIe x 16: 1 slot
* PCI: 2 slots

Rear Ports:
*
1x VGA Connector
*
1x HDMI Connector
*
4x USB 2.0 Ports
*
1x RJ-45 Port
*
1x Microphone Connector
*
1x Line-in/Line-out Connector

Operating System:

* Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit

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Best answer from TheGreatGrapeApe
OK as mentioned, is this Just for CS4?

 

If so then you don't need anything high powered, nor waste your money on a Quadro.

 

If you're gaming, then that DELL power supply is more robust than a generic 300W supply, and it should easily handle an HD4770 which would give you better performance than that GF9800GT at lower power consumption and with more features supported.

 

But if all you're doing is photochop and no gaming, then a GF9500 or HD4550 would be fine and still give you a bit of OGL and OCL power for basic acceleration, and cost you less, and even an HD4650 would be worth the extra few bucks.

 

Also if you're not gaming, you might want to also consider a passively cooled card that doesn't have a noisy heatsink fan assembly.

 

However longer term, or for gaming, something like an HD4770 would be a good choice.

 

And you don't need a new PSU if this is all you're doing.

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sirkillalot   10-07-2009 at 05:06:22 PM

get the 5850 http://www.gadgetfolder.com/ati-ra [...] tx-11.html

equipped Dual Link DVI port


Message edited by sirkillalot on 10-07-2009 at 05:08:51 PM
------------------------------ AMD P2955X4 ATI 5870 DX11 [:boudy:2]
24" dell 1900x1200 2x74 wraptor hd's1 X-FI pro gamer sounds
2G ram log.Z5500 speakers 650w toughpower G15kb dvd....ITS A MEAN GREEN GAMING MACHINE
 Reply to sirkillalot
gjbelly   10-07-2009 at 07:00:59 PM

But does this card work with a 300W PSU

Reply to gjbelly
ukcal   10-07-2009 at 07:39:57 PM

Hold fire before you going buying anything, are you just going to be using your computer for Photoshop? Or gaming as well? If the answer is Photoshop then you can save yourself an awful lot of money by going for a lower performance card.
I would highly recommend a better PSU is soon on your shopping list though, I think you may be nearing it's maximum usage on the specs you have already and that's without a graphics card.

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by ukcal on 10-07-2009 at 07:41:27 PM
Reply to ukcal
Bronze Graphics badge jay2tall   10-07-2009 at 08:51:13 PM

300W isn't going to allow much. You MAY be able to get away with an HD4350 at the most.

Reply to jay2tall
gjbelly   10-08-2009 at 02:06:21 AM

ukcal wrote :

Hold fire before you going buying anything, are you just going to be using your computer for Photoshop? Or gaming as well? If the answer is Photoshop then you can save yourself an awful lot of money by going for a lower performance card.
I would highly recommend a better PSU is soon on your shopping list though, I think you may be nearing it's maximum usage on the specs you have already and that's without a graphics card.



Would this power supply work.y current PSU is Bestec Model ATX0300D5wb

Reply to gjbelly
Silver Graphics badge TheGreatGrapeApe   10-08-2009 at 06:10:21 AM
Best answer

OK as mentioned, is this Just for CS4?

 

If so then you don't need anything high powered, nor waste your money on a Quadro.

 

If you're gaming, then that DELL power supply is more robust than a generic 300W supply, and it should easily handle an HD4770 which would give you better performance than that GF9800GT at lower power consumption and with more features supported.

 

But if all you're doing is photochop and no gaming, then a GF9500 or HD4550 would be fine and still give you a bit of OGL and OCL power for basic acceleration, and cost you less, and even an HD4650 would be worth the extra few bucks.

 

Also if you're not gaming, you might want to also consider a passively cooled card that doesn't have a noisy heatsink fan assembly.

 

However longer term, or for gaming, something like an HD4770 would be a good choice.

 

And you don't need a new PSU if this is all you're doing.


Message edited by TheGreatGrapeApe on 10-08-2009 at 06:10:59 AM
Reply to TheGreatGrapeApe
Bronze Graphics badge jay2tall   10-08-2009 at 06:10:24 AM

^
I would say it would fit. You should be able to run a 4670, 4770, 4830, or at MOST 4850. The 4850 would be pushing it on a 400W, but you are probably ok on that particular PSU at 30A. Honestly I would get a solid 500W or 550W and be sure it's enough to put a pretty decent card in.

 

OCZ 500w: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817341016

 

OCZ 550W: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817341022

 

Antec 500W: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817371007

 

I would just measure the PSU you have now and make sure there are no wierd clips or support pieces in the way that a large PSU wouldn't work. I'd check the dimensions on the new ones. Some of those smaller PC's don't leave much room for expansion.

 



Message edited by jay2tall on 10-08-2009 at 06:11:38 AM
Reply to jay2tall
Silver Graphics badge TheGreatGrapeApe   10-08-2009 at 06:11:45 AM

Jay, it's a Dell power supply, they're etremely under-rated, and before we get him a new PSU what's he using it for?

Message quoted 1 times
Reply to TheGreatGrapeApe
gjbelly   10-08-2009 at 02:15:38 PM

TheGreatGrapeApe wrote :

Jay, it's a Dell power supply, they're etremely under-rated, and before we get him a new PSU what's he using it for?



I haven't gamed on my computer in a long while. When i do game, its usually on a PS3 attached to my TV. Basically Photoshop CS4 64bit is probably the most stressing program I'm going to be running. This card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130395 says it needs a 350 power supply, and the 9400 needs a 300 min. My PSU as read off it directly in the case is a Bestec Model ATX0300D5WB an as best i can tell doesn't have a PCIe16 power connection, so if i use this the card needs to be powered via the slot.
Do you think i could get away with this card?
I would prefer to just drop in a card vs change the power supply if this will work. Thanks for all you help.

Reply to gjbelly
Silver Graphics badge TheGreatGrapeApe   10-09-2009 at 05:14:12 AM


Yeah, I think you'd be fine with those, or better yet an HD4650 and even an HD4550 would perform better than 9400 for next to no power;

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/v [...] html#sect0

Get at least the GF9500GT of those other two, but the HD4650 & HD4670 don't require a power connector either, but would perform better (although below a GF9600, which requires more power);

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/v [...] 512mb.html

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