BleepingComputer.com: Graphics card requirements...

I recently bought a new computer, and it comes pre-installed with 3GB RAM, AMD Athlon X2 4450e (2.3 GHz), and a integrated chipset (nVidia GeForce 6150 SE nForce 430, 128 MB Dedicated, 1338 MB Total). Since i'm starting to play some more serious games (those that require a 6600+ and 256 MB RAM..), I am considering to replace my chipset with a graphics card. However, the Radeon HD 3650 I'm interested in says it requires 300 Watts on the PSU, and I only have 250 W. I don't quite remember what brand the PSU is, but it's Input is 12.6 V and 10 Amps.

Would my motherboard fry if I installed a HD 3650? And if it doesn't, will I have any hardware issues or graphic lag?

And if this is not the card for me, are there any entry level graphics cards that are around $30-$80 that will fit into my computer? I would buy a new PSU but I want to make sure I have no options on video cards before I go ahead with that option.

Anyone know anything about this subject?

Hi,

First you need to check that your mother board support that graphic card and if you have a 250 W PSU(Power Supply Unit), and you want to upgrade to that kind of graphic card, you should upgrade the PSU for sure. A 650W PSU should suite your needs.

And no, your Motherboard wont fry if less voltage is supplied. The MB will fry when the PSU will output more than it suppose to.

Post your computer hardware details with the model number of the mother board.

Regards
Delta

This post has been edited by Delta16: 27 September 2009 - 05:15 AM

Thanks for the reply.

I actually went to the store where I would purchase the graphics card and the technician reassured me that as long as i'm using PCI and it's under 512 MB of RAM, I would have no issues hooking a 300 W into a 250. And as you said before, the mobo would only burn if it was given more then it's supposed to. In this case, it's less to or equal to what it needs (hopefully equal to).

if you put a g card that needs 300 watts with a psu that only gives 250 watts
then the computer wont turn on or windows will shut down or restart or when you go into a game the computer will just restart

This post has been edited by starcraftmaster: 27 September 2009 - 09:43 AM

It's a minimum required 300W, and since it draws it off the Mobo, it would still turn on, because most of the time the graphics card will never use ALL of the energy they suggest it will. A study showed that a ATI Radeon HD 3650 uses only 168 W with it's motherboard and a Quad Core. That surely means something, right?

you should really go with the requirements
remember that windows vista uses a bit of graphics power when you enable its nice stuff