Upgrade PSU & GPU, or Just upgrade GPU

[tduanebarr]

I'm looking to put a little video power in my stock HP desktop (pavilion p6142p).

It has a 300 watt stock power supply, AMD Phenom x4 9650 and 8gb of DDR2, integrated geforce 9100 graphics and I think with some better video it would make a decent gaming rig.


I was going to just buy either an asus or sapphire hd 7750, without upgrading the power supply because although amd recommends a 400w power supply, according to gpu review the max power draw is 55watts.

Those cards are currently selling for $110 on newegg.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121558

However, could I upgrade my power supply and buy a higher power demand card that out performs the 7750 without paying more?

newegg has a 430 watt corsair psu for $25 after rebate

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121558



Although I have seen the 7750 recommended to others with a 300W psu, does anyone think I should upgrade the psu even if I go with the 7750?

 

[jeffredo]

The HD 7750, regardless of what AMD recommends, will run on a 300W PS (no external power connector needed). Its more frugal than the HD 4670, 5670 or 6670 and all those would run on pre-built PC power supplies. I wouldn't bother with anything more powerful given your CPU.

 

[Rockdpm]

+1

 

[jessterman21]

The HD 7750, regardless of what AMD recommends, will run on a 300W PS (no external power connector needed). Its more frugal than the HD 4670, 5670 or 6670 and all those would run on pre-built PC power supplies. I wouldn't bother with anything more powerful given your CPU.

+2

 

[tduanebarr]

Best answer selected by tduanebarr.