Stock Dell PSU and GPU upgrades

[cpokey26]

I have an old Dell Dimension 8200. Stock PSU is rated at 250W I believe.

I currently have an JATON 3DForce3450-DVI Radeon HD 3450 512MB 64-bit DDR2 AGP 4X/8X Video Card installed. Which calls for 300W system, but haven't had any real problems.

In trying to squeeze all the life out of this system that I can, I am considering one last upgrade for this box to a HIS IceQ H467QS1GHA Radeon HD 4670 1GB 128-bit DDR3 AGP 4X/8X HDCP Ready Video Card. This one calls for a 400W PS.

According to these...

http://www.geeks3d.com/20100226/the-real-power-consumption-of-73-graphics-cards/

http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=855&Itemid=72&limit=1&limitstart=11

...the HD3450 is pulling 20W and the HD4670 pulls 70W.

Will I have problems with the stock 250W PSU trying to do this upgrade?

 

[socialfox]

You will definitely have problems, the HD 3450 and the build is just a tight fit. Video card manufactures often overestimate the power requirement because people often cheap out and buy terrible power supplies (that do not deliver the labelled watts). If you do place the HD 4670 then your computer will probably not turn on due to insufficient wattage. Might I recommend going for a power supply upgrade?

If you can afford it, this power supply will do nicely with extra wattage to support future upgrades, and this one actually delivers the wattage labelled :lol: compared to your average cooler master or thermaltake power supply.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371045&name=Power-Supplies

Edit: If you want specific wattage please list your exact computer specs, the manufacturer page on Dell shows your computer has the possibility to come with several pentium 4 processors. (Thinks its time for an upgrade if your planning on real gaming )

 

[cpokey26]

You may recommend it, but I will probably just stick with the 3450, as I'm building a whole new machine and not really looking to drop a whole lot into the old Dell with all its proprietary issues. We're talking about a 10 year old machine....

thanks!

 

[cpokey26]

Best answer selected by cpokey26.