New Computer Power Supply

[rohiii]

I just purchased an HP desktop and while it provided great bang for the buck, I am somewhat shocked at the power supply - only 250 watts...

The system is a Quad core AMD, 3.0Ghz, 4G of RAM, 750G HD, etc. Not surprisngly, the graphics card (such as it is) sucks. I have an older GeForce 8600 GT (average, I know) that I would like to swap in but wonder if the PS can handle it?

I also have an Antec 380W PS from my just-died machine that I will likely cannibalize but was hoping to get at least some mileage out of the HP unit, since it's brand new...

Thoughts on the HP 250W unit?

Thx.

 

[Deleted member 217926]

Scrap that 250w unit if you plan on adding anything at all to that computer is my advice.

 

[JDFan]

HP only uses a PSU that is the correct amount for the system as sold -- once you add something like a video card then you'll probably need to also replace the PSU. Nvidia recommends a minimum 350W PSU for the card so it would be pushing it to use the 250W ( depending on which quad core - since they vary from about 95W to 125W ) This Power consumption chart

shows the system using 198 under load with a 65w E6600 cpu So add another 30 - 60W to that for the quad core CPU and you'd really be pushing a 250W PSU so I wouldn't chance it.

 

[noble]

Sell it, donate it to a friend relative etc ?

 

[dalauder]

Hold onto that 250W or give it to someone in need, but replace it with the Antec ASAP.

 

[rohiii]

Thanks all, good info...cool forum.

What amazes me about the HP is that even my 2005 Dell Dimension 510 (?) (with much lower initial specs) came with a 300W unit...though that crapped out after 3-4 years :-(

About the only thing I can say in favor of the HP (in the PS area) is that is also has a separate fan to cool the box itself, in addition to the PS. The Dell did not have this...

 

[rohiii]

Best answer selected by rohiii.

 

[Mousemonkey]

This topic has been closed by Mousemonkey