"diesel" 255 watt video card?

[joeychizzel]

I currently have a dell optiplex with 16 gigs of ram and a quad q9650 cpu. my psu is 255 watt. There is no possible way to upgrade my psu higher than 255 watt (it is a desktop machine, PSUs are only 255). I need a video card for my games but i don't know what would be the best card that only a 255 watt will need. I mostly plan on using it for diablo 3 and probably some modern warfare. i'm sure these low profile cards are gonna be pretty cheap so price isn't a problem. Any information or tips or suggestions will be GREATLY appreciated. thank you!

 

[Emerald]

if it is a regular size case (not a Slim Case), it should take a regular PSU.

what model Optiplex?

 

[Mousemonkey]

I currently have a dell optiplex with 16 gigs of ram and a quad q9650 cpu. my psu is 255 watt. There is no possible way to upgrade my psu higher than 255 watt (it is a desktop machine, PSUs are only 255). I need a video card for my games but i don't know what would be the best card that only a 255 watt will need. I mostly plan on using it for diablo 3 and probably some modern warfare. i'm sure these low profile cards are gonna be pretty cheap so price isn't a problem. Any information or tips or suggestions will be GREATLY appreciated. thank you!

My 'desktop' PC has a 620w PSU, why are you limited to 255w?

 

[joeychizzel]

i have the business optiplex 780s they come in 3 forms - the MT, DT, SFF all different sizes. the one i have is the DT which is technically the worst because there are no 3rd party psu upgrades, so i'm stuck with 255 watts. that's why i was hoping for the 'best' low profile card that will be okay with my 255watt psu and q9650. any tips and info is greatly appreciated.

 

[nforce4max]

5450 it is the most economical card when it comes to power use and it is the best that you will be able to do on such a limited psu. If you want any more there are supplementary units that mount into a 5 1/4 bay like a optical drive but run a cable outside the machine for power source. Inside the case they are like any other psu except they only put out 12v.

 

[joeychizzel]

okay thanks for the answer - i'll pick up a 5450.