ATI Radeon HD 5670 with 220w

[Megane67]

Hello,

I'm interested in upgrading my video card from a ATI Radeon HD 5450 to a 5670 1GB. My computer is a Intel Core i3 540 with 4GB DDR3 memory running Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit.

Unfortunately, I'm also stuck with a 220w PSU and the expense of replacing the PSU would also require replacing the case and very possibly void my warranty as well, something I'd like to avoid.

I have no interest in playing any current games at their maximum resolution (My CRT monitor only goes up to 1600x1200 anyway) and assuming that hwcompare.com is reliable, the 5670 has a maximum TDP of 61w.

My question is, it is safe to replace my 5450 with this card if I'm careful to keep the resolution down to a reasonable level, despite only having a 220w PSU?

If possible, I'd really like to just replace the card without needing to buy or
replace anything else as long as it's safe for my computer to do so.

Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated.

 

[striker410]

The short answer is no. Unfortunately it would not be a very safe move to add a 5670 to a 220w. I had this same debate with one of my computers (a prebuilt) it had a 250w PSU. I decided it would not be safe so I got my hands on a 300w psu from someone. Now, works fine.

With a 220w, I think you shouldn't go above a 5570. A 5570 will give a big boost in performance, but should stay within the safe limits of the PSU.

 

[Megane67]

The short answer is no. Unfortunately it would not be a very safe move to add a 5670 to a 220w. I had this same debate with one of my computers (a prebuilt) it had a 250w PSU. I decided it would not be safe so I got my hands on a 300w psu from someone. Now, works fine.

With a 220w, I think you shouldn't go above a 5570. A 5570 will give a big boost in performance, but should stay within the safe limits of the PSU.

Okay, thank you very much for the advice, I'll probably go with the ATI Radeon HD 5570 1GB DDR3 then. It sucks that there's only an 18w difference between this card and the 5670 at Max TDP but yeah, I'd rather be safe than sorry.

 

[iam2thecrowe]

can you tell us what case you have? you can get some good slimline PSU's, although they are relatively expensive. Your worried about warranty.....if something goes wrong just keep all the old parts and put them back toegether.

 

[Megane67]

can you tell us what case you have? you can get some good slimline PSU's, although they are relatively expensive. Your worried about warranty.....if something goes wrong just keep all the old parts and put them back toegether.

Sure, it's a Gateway SX2850-01c. But again, I just wanted to replace the video card, I hadn't planned on the expense and inconvenience of having to upgrade the PSU and the case as well. I was hoping I could get away with using a 5670 if I made sure to never play any games above 1600x1200 resolution but I'm willing to settle for the 5570 if it's the safer choice and still doubles the performance of the 5450 I have now.

 

[Megane67]

Best answer selected by Megane67.