Precautions When Buying New GFX Card and PSU?

Megas XLR

Megas XLR

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Jan 2009

D/W

Alright, I currently have this machine - http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1218045567985

I am looking to upgrade my computer with this graphics card that requires 350W power supply - http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1218007088049

And I am getting this PSU that is 450w - http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1218045946501

Everything looks fine in the reviews and on paper, but is there anything I can do to make sure that this will be right for me when I go buy it?

Questions:
- Will the power supply have the cables I need?
- Does the PCIe card take a 6-pin connector?
- Will the PSU work with my drives?

Sorry if these questions are a little too general or not sufficient enough for an answer.

kontradictions

Academy Page

Join Date: Aug 2007

D/Mo

The card you're looking at doesn't require any additional power so you don't have to worry about the 6 pin connectors. More powerful cards do require them but most cards would have a 4 pin to 6 pin convert in the box.

I found a better deal on the card here:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814129124

The power supply is where you would need to do a little homework. When it comes to 4 pin connectors and SATA connectors, you'll be fine in terms of drives but you need to make sure that your motherboard uses the 24 pin power connector.

To do this: Simply take off the cover to your case and look for the largest power connector on the motherboard, remove it and count the number of pins. It should be either 20 or 24.

You might also want to do a little bit of research to determine if Compaq has used a proprietary power supply unit in your machine.

rick1027

rick1027

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Apr 2006

W/R

Quote:
Originally Posted by kontradictions View Post
The card you're looking at doesn't require any additional power so you don't have to worry about the 6 pin connectors. More powerful cards do require them but most cards would have a 4 pin to 6 pin convert in the box.

I found a better deal on the card here:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814129124

The power supply is where you would need to do a little homework. When it comes to 4 pin connectors and SATA connectors, you'll be fine in terms of drives but you need to make sure that your motherboard uses the 24 pin power connector.

To do this: Simply take off the cover to your case and look for the largest power connector on the motherboard, remove it and count the number of pins. It should be either 20 or 24.

You might also want to do a little bit of research to determine if Compaq has used a proprietary power supply unit in your machine.
all the psu ive seen make it so you can take off the extra four connectors but i never have too in my case