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Need a new graphics card with DVI, 300W PSU

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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/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168... would work, as it says low power use.

My computer specs are below and here. http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=114902...|84|56671|4348&N=4017763&Mo=15&pos=2&No=9&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&cat=4348&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&ec=BC-EC10600-Cat56671&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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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.
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ukcal said:
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

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Graphics card Master

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.
Graphics card Master

^
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/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

OCZ 550W: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Antec 500W: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

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.


TheGreatGrapeApe said:
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/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168... 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.
Graphics card Master


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/video/display/ati-rade...

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/video/display/powercol...

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