Will existing power supply work with new video card

[knobcreekman]

Hello,

I am wondering if this computer will power this video card

There is no PCIe adapter on the power supply. The card comes with a 6pin PCIe to dual-molex connector. However the power supply only has one Molex and two SATA connectors. Can I just use a single SATA to 6pin PCIe adapter? Should I get a SATA to Molex adapter and use the adapter provided with the card? Should I get a new power supply? Thanks for any assistance you can provide!

 

[nna2]

can you open it up and take a picture of the side of the power supply (the sticker)

and thats a pretty weak CPU tbh, you may want to look into upgrading it if you can

 

[Dirty Durden]

Hello,

I am wondering if this computer will power this video card

There is no PCIe adapter on the power supply. The card comes with a 6pin PCIe to dual-molex connector. However the power supply only has one Molex and two SATA connectors. Can I just use a single SATA to 6pin PCIe adapter? Should I get a SATA to Molex adapter and use the adapter provided with the card? Should I get a new power supply? Thanks for any assistance you can provide!

I would just get a new PSU (I like Corsair or Season around 650-700w). It will save u in the long run. Running a HD or fans is one thing but a GPU needs a lot power, plus sata lines isnt rated to pull this much power.

Your MB's PCIe only puts out 75w max & the rest comes from the adapter.

 

[knobcreekman]

Thanks for the replies... I just did a bit more reading on the computer and the card. The card requires a minimum of 400w (24+ amps) and the power supply in the computer is only 300w, so looks like upgrading the power supply it is.

As far as the CPU, this is a system my brother-in-law just bought for my father-in-law and I'm just the installer BUT compared to what it is replacing it is light years ahead of the old system. Thanks again for all of your help!

 

[dudewitbow]

it would be safer to use a hd 7750, approx the same performance, much lower power consumption.

 

[clutchc]

The GTX 550ti will only draw about 9.67A on the +12V rail when maxed out. http://www.hwcompare.com/category/gpu/
If your PSU can provide at least twice that on the +12V rail or rails combined, you should be OK. (The CPU and other devices likes fans, etc, also need +12V power from the PSU.)
Then, If the above holds true, use this power supply calculator to see if you have the necessary wattage:
http://www.thermaltake.outervision.com/

Normally, a 300W PSU is not recommended for any card that needs a separate PCIe power connection, but I'm betting you will probably get by OK. If, during demanding gaming moments, the machine shuts down or re-boots... it will be a sign the PSU is unable to maintain the necessary voltage levels. Then you'll know you need to upgrade.

 

[clutchc]

it would be safer to use a hd 7750, approx the same performance, much lower power consumption.

An excellent point. And the HD 7750 gets all its power from the PCIe slot.

 

[knobcreekman]

The GTX 550ti will only draw about 9.67A on the +12V rail when maxed out. http://www.hwcompare.com/category/gpu/
If your PSU can provide at least twice that on the +12V rail or rails combined, you should be OK.

So, would this power supply work since it has two +12v rails at 14 and 15 amps? Or is that not what you meant by "rails combined"? Thanks again for your help

 

[dudewitbow]

So, would this power supply work since it has two +12v rails at 14 and 15 amps? Or is that not what you meant by "rails combined"? Thanks again for your help

thermaltakes low end psus arent that great for the price. when a psu has more than 1 rail, you cannot add the amperages together. normally the psu will tell you how much wattage the 12 rail will hold on its own, but thermaltake has failed to disclose it.

 

[clutchc]

So, would this power supply work since it has two +12v rails at 14 and 15 amps? Or is that not what you meant by "rails combined"? Thanks again for your help

That PSU should be fine IMO for what you need.

 

[knobcreekman]

Thanks again everyone for the replies and help. I was just looking at the dual rail models because it's a big jump in price from something around 15 amps to 24+... especially considering when I started this endeavor I thought I was just going to need to buy a $3 adaptor I will probably go ahead and get a nicer PSU since that should be better in the long run.

 

[knobcreekman]

Best answer selected by knobcreekman.