GeForce 8600GT + 250W?

I'm thinking of getting a GeForce 8600GT 256 MB PCI-E, but I have a question. I currently have PSU of 250W and I just wanted to know if that's enough or not. If it is not, how much will I need?

PSU Model: dps-250AB-22 A (if thats useful)

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on here: http://www.memoryexpress.com/Product...17730(ME).aspx

It says under recommended accessories from 550- 1000W

your computer will go on fire

just kidding but it wont run

Those are not the video card's recommended specs, they're the store's recommendations on what the customer should waste ridiculous amounts of money on. There's a difference.

I've got a GeForce 7900 GS running stable on a 350 W Antec PSU with just about every expansion slot, port, etc. filled with something, so it might be possible depending on what the rest of the system's made of.

I wouldn't try it, though. Most power supplies around 250 W are relics from the time CPUs demanded more power than video cards, and even though its maximum power output may look like it's enough on paper if you just consider the power demands of each part, most of these old PSUs have very weak 12V rails which the video cards draw their power from. Chances are it'll die (or catch fire) if you plug in a modern video card.

Yikes lol. I think your computer would overheat before the loading screen was over.

Just won't do. You'll need to buy a new PSU, preferably from a quality brand like antec instead of a no-name brand too.

Then it looks like it going to be very expensive, so I may get another video card instead. Are there any good ones which will do fine with 250W? I dont want an extreme high fps, a minimum of 30 on highest detail would be ok.

Well, define expensive. Newegg has a 1100 watt psu for $270 and an Antec 500 watt for $100. The 1100 watt is major overkill for what you need, but overall it's not that bad. Granted, I understand not wanting to spend $500 just to upgrade your graphics, but you won't upgrade your psu that often, so it may be cheaper in that long run.

Hope that helps a least a little.

That card will run on most new 350-400w power supplies. Just make sure whatever power supply you buy has the right connectors. A lot of new cards need external power and you could really kick yourself after you dump cash into the wrong power supply. I would go with an Ultra power supply... mainly because they have a limited lifetime warranty and rock-solid performance.

As for a 250w power supply, I would go with a midrange Nvidia card... like a 6600 or 7300. They both perform well and are not power hogs, like some of the new cards are. Also, make sure you are not one of those guys that is running everything usb, because that will floor your system and will not allow it to boot.

In the end, they all fail after random periods of time, though. If you buy a special PSU it should only be because of 3 fans, sleeved cables, and things like that.

That's what I'm going to do then. At the store I was planning on buying one they only have the EVGA GeForce 7200GS 128MB TV DVI PCI-E from the 7000 series, will that card give me a decent fps on highest detail?

not even, my computer had 300 and i just upgraded to 500 before getting a new video card

check here for some more ideas.

is you are in the US they are top rated and i have been dealing with them for many years.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...TabStoreType=0

Last time I checked NewEgg, there was a deal there for a 430W PSU for less than 30 dollars. Had like 1500something reviews and about 95% of em were 5 stars. Think it was a Thermaltake though, don't know anything about them myself.

Get a 7600 256MB if you want decent frame rates at high detail. The 7200 128MB card will not. You can get 400W PSU's for $40-$50. You don't need a brand name PSU.

i got the PC Power & Cooling because of thir single rail design and 3 year bulletproof warranty.

cheap power supplies are not worth it when a dependable brand name costs little more.

Good advice would be to get a lower-end power supply from a top-level manufacturer. The OP doesn't need the most expensive power supply. However as many have pointed out, if you must skimp on some piece of a computer, the power supply is definitely not the place to do it. You want good-quality construction and you definitely want a warrantee of some kind. You don't need to spend that much more to get a solid +/-400W supply from a good brand.

This is a nice thread at a hardware forum. Categorises the type of PSU needed for the type of system and usage.

http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1000883

Its a year old info, but you're not running a Quad Core with a 8800GTX either, so its very relevant.

My first question is, is this a Dell pre-built system? If it is then know this. Older Dell PSU's are rated at 250w but they rate them a little differently then normal PSU's. Dell factory PSU's are rated at continuous power output as opposed to peak output. Meaning the actual rating by general standards would be in the 350w~ range. I had a raedon 9800 in my "250w" dell and it ran fine even under heavy stress. I put a LOT of stress on that thing over the years and it never failed until the fan went out after 6 years of use.

Dont even waste your money on the card...The 7600GT out performed the card