Need Info...

[acpassword]

Hi guys i have a 250W power supply and im using an 8400, isn't the recommended PSU for the 8400 GS 350W+?

Im looking to get a 5570 but if my 8400 is already pushing my PSU, adding anything more is unsafe no matter how little yea?

 

[Timop]

Well, it depends on your PSU. Most likely not, but if somehow its a quality 250W from Antec, FSP, Seasonic, Silverstone and you have a modest CPU, the 5570 should run fine.

What case is it though?

 

[acpassword]

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01616203&tmp_task=prodinfoCategory&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&product=3867474&key=null&site=null

or maybe i should settle for a 5450, improving on the 8400 and cutting some wattage

 

[Timop]

If you can, open up that case and check the sticker on the side of the PSU, look for the manufacturer and the amperage ratings next to the "+12v" rail. You might have gotten lucky and got an okay Delta unit.

I would strongly recommend you to upgrade though, being ATX leaves you with plenty of upgrade options.

 

[acpassword]

Make is bestec and i believe the rail is 218W, im not upgrading because if im getting a quality PSU i might as well get a better card. If i can get an improvement to the 8400 ill just take that option instead.

 

[Timop]

How many amps? If its 18A on the 12v (216W) then you could go for a 5570 fine.

 

[acpassword]

assuming i got this correctly...14A

 

[jyjjy]

You really need to replace the PSU for any even vaguely decent gaming card.

 

[Timop]

assuming i got this correctly...14A

I should do for the DDR3 5570.

 

[acpassword]

You really need to replace the PSU for any even vaguely decent gaming card.

not trying to run crysis here. my 8400 can medium everything i play so theres no need for a PSU+Card upgrade

 

[acpassword]

I should do for the DDR3 5570.

don't think a "should" is safe enough with 1 or more parts on the line, maybe ill just the the 5450

 

[Timop]

don't think a "should" is safe enough with 1 or more parts on the line, maybe ill just the the 5450

By should I mean, yes, but the PSU is at the age where it might just blow and adding expensive parts is a bit risky.
I have a 350w HP Bestec running a 65W Athlon X2 and a 8600GT wth a mild OC fine.

 

[jyjjy]

I should do for the DDR3 5570.

I dunno... The HD5570 is going to use at least 3 of those amps which leaves only 11a or 132w for the rest of the system which is extremely low. Throw on top that the PSU clearly has several years of capacitor aging and I'm surprised it's handling even the 8400GS.

not trying to run crysis here. my 8400 can medium everything i play so theres no need for a PSU+Card upgrade

Well, the HD5450 will be an upgrade I suppose. Something to note is that PCI-E 2.1 video cards sometimes have issues with older 1.0 motherboards like yours and most HD5450s are 2.1. There are a few 2.0 versions of the card however so either look for those or instead consider the HD4350 or HD4550. All 3 are pretty much the same card in terms of performance and power usage.

 

[acpassword]

I dunno... The HD5570 is going to use at least 3 of those amps which leaves only 11a or 132w for the rest of the system which is extremely low. Throw on top that the PSU clearly has several years of capacitor aging and I'm surprised it's handling even the 8400GS.


Well, the HD5450 will be an upgrade I suppose. Something to note is that PCI-E 2.1 video cards sometimes have issues with older 1.0 motherboards like yours and most HD5450s are 2.1. There are a few 2.0 versions of the card however so either look for those or instead consider the HD4350 or HD4550. All 3 are pretty much the same card in terms of performance and power usage.

i believe i found one then... http://www.amazon.com/MSI-Radeon-PCI-Express-Graphics-MD512H/dp/B002EECNPA/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1303664003&sr=1-3

dirt cheap upgrade and less power. Any evaluations?

 

[jyjjy]

i believe i found one then... http://www.amazon.com/MSI-Radeon-PCI-Express-Graphics-MD512H/dp/B002EECNPA/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1303664003&sr=1-3

dirt cheap upgrade and less power. Any evaluations?

Well... it will suck, but less so than your current card.