nycfarmkid
Underboss
1210 Posts
    
Wadsworth, OH
 | | 04/19/2006 4:57 PM |
| | I just recently ordered a computer on the net and it didn't meet the spec's i would have preferred. I would like to purchase a video card for it, however I am not sure what would b e a good one to get. The problem is that the computer comes with a 240 watt power supply that, according to the manufacturer, is fused to the motherboard. If this is the case, what is a good card currently on the market that will perform well, but can run off of that power supply? A lot of the mid-price cards now require 350+ watt supply. Any suggestions would be appreciated. | |
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nycfarmkid
Underboss
1210 Posts
Wadsworth, OH
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Jenbar
Skirmisher
27 Posts
| | 04/20/2006 9:37 AM |
| Well what computer did you order that says it has a fused power supply? I've heard of propietery power supplies that people like Sony use on the viao's.
There are lots of factors for choosing a video card. Firstly does your computer even have spare 3 pin or 4 pin connections? if it has a propietery power supply it may have limited cables for adding things.
Second, what other equipment do you have drawing power. Sound cards etc
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nycfarmkid
Underboss
1210 Posts
Wadsworth, OH
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Idzy
Commander
3082 Posts
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | 04/20/2006 4:53 PM |
| You might be able to get away with an ATI X600 (or whatever this years equivalent is) but I wouldn't go much higher than that with only a 240w, but you should still get pretty decent performance out of it. At least you don't have the crappy intel extreme integrated video.
I figured this out using this link http://pcworld.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://find.pcworld.com/46248
they don't have the newer ati cards but I am assuming the x600 is around the same as the 9600 | |
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nycfarmkid
Underboss
1210 Posts
Wadsworth, OH
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Idzy
Commander
3082 Posts
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | 04/20/2006 5:30 PM |
| I found another site with specs for the ATI x1600 its in the same peformance range as the 9600 and x600 it is was around 41w so the power consumption is about the same too.
When I did the calculation I based it on a P4 3.0ghz, 2 sticks of DDR2 memory, 1 hard drive and a combo dvd/cd drive.
It said it needed 227 watts, so you should be ok. | |
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nycfarmkid
Underboss
1210 Posts
Wadsworth, OH
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Jenbar
Skirmisher
27 Posts
| | 04/21/2006 2:03 PM |
| Well not all X series will work, X1800's and X1900's are some serious cards with a lot of power consumption.
Some other factors to consider with adding items to Dell's and what not.
DELL uses its own cases, they are small and cramped. Make sure whatever you buy fits first.
Secondly check you have the extra power cable plugs to connect it up (if it even needs it) Nothing worse than buying something new and missing a part to put it in. You may need some Y-splitters or adaptors for the power. | |
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Idzy
Commander
3082 Posts
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | 04/21/2006 4:49 PM |
| The x600 or x1600 do not require an extra powersuply just what they get from being plugged into the motherboard, the x800 and x1800-1900 have a plug on them like the one on a cdrom or hard drive for extra power these ones are way out of a 240watt psu's range.
thats a good point about the case size, but if its a tower you are probably ok on that. | |
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nycfarmkid
Underboss
1210 Posts
Wadsworth, OH
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