Resolved Do I need a new Power Supply with New Video Card?

My system currently has a 300 watt power supply. If I buy an ATI Radeon 5450 Graphics Card, will I really need to upgrade my power supply as well?

Mitch

 

Thanks Evan,

It is good to know I likely won't need a new PSU. The only reason I am upgrading is my daughter bought Duke Nukem 3D for me for Father's Day and it seems real sluggish on my current sytem.

Mitch

 

Yeah, you should always look up the system requirements when considering new hardware instead of guessing. As Arie noted, the System Requirements clearly state 400w "or greater ". And BTW, it says 400 Watt or greater for the HD 6570 too.

I would not even attempt to use the 300W PSU. If it is the one that came with your HP, then it is likely a fairly budget, generic PSU - not to mention, a low power generic PSU. And you want a good 80+ Certified PSU from a reputable maker. I like Antec and Corsair supplies, but as long as the PSU is 80+ Certified (which takes a good design and quality parts to achieve), and a decent amount of power so the PSU is not struggling all the time, you will be good to go.

I think somewhere between 500 and 650W will be good for you. Note the computer (CPU, motherboard, RAM, graphics, drives, etc.) will only draw from the PSU what they need. That is, if they need 320 watts, they will draw from the PSU 320W regardless if the PSU is a 400w PSU, or a 1000w PSU.

And the PSU will only draw from the wall what the computer needs, plus ~20% more due to inefficiencies in the PSU. More with inefficient budget PSUs. So if 320w is needed by the computer, a good PSU will draw from the wall 320 + 64 = 384w. The 64 (320 x .20) is the power wasted by the PSU at 80% efficiency. This power is lost in the form of heat exhausted out the back of the PSU.

If you get more power than you need, the PSU will not need to strain. It will have plenty of wiggle room for sudden demands for extra power, or if you decide to upgrade your hardware in the future. Plus, a PSU that is not straining will run cooler, and that means it will can toggle down it's fan speed. That makes for a quieter computing session - always good.

 

Well now. I guess I will be changing a PSU as well. Bill, thanks for the detailed explanation, I learned - now I know.

Mitch

 

That's what its all about. Remember, EVERYTHING in your computer depends on good, clean, stable power. Pinching pennies on a PSU is not the right place to go cheap. And a good quality, 80+ certified PSU will save you 10 - 20 or more watts for every 100 consumed. Depending on what you do, that could be like burning a 60W (or more) light bulb in an unused closet. So, yeah, a good supply cost more upfront, but overtime, you get your money back, and then some.