BleepingComputer.com: 300 watts enough?

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300 watts enough?

#1 user45055

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Posted 20 October 2009 - 09:14 AM

I want to add this video card to my Emachine T6534.It has a lowly 300 watt power supply.When researching sites some say 330, some say 350 watts required.Anyone know which is correct? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814150435
Also will the PCIE2 fit in my PCIE slot?Thanks.

This post has been edited by tg1911: 24 October 2009 - 10:24 PM

#2 DaffyKantReed

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Posted 20 October 2009 - 09:51 AM

user45055, on Oct 20 2009, 07:14 AM, said:

I want to add this video card to my Emachine T6534.It has a lowly 300 watt power supply.When researching sites some say 330, some say 350 watts required.Anyone know which is correct?http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150435?
Also will the PCIE2 fit in my PCIE slot?Thanks.

Your link does not point to an active item at Newegg.

A PCI Express 2.0 video card is backward compatible with the PCI Express x16 slot on your motherboard. The weakest point in any Emachine I've seen has always been the power supply. Take a look at the Corsair VX450W as a replacement.

#3 dpunisher

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Posted 20 October 2009 - 10:36 AM

I echo the above post. E-Machine PSUs are notorious for failure, and for sometimes taking motherboards plugged into them along to the trash bin. Get a proper PSU.

This post has been edited by dpunisher: 20 October 2009 - 10:37 AM

I am a retired Ford tech. Next to Fords, any computer is a piece of cake. (The cake, its not a lie)

#4 _Allan_

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Posted 20 October 2009 - 10:53 AM

When buying a PSU don't just look at the max output ... look for a GOOD brand of PSU. PC Power & Cooling, Cooler Master, OCZ, and Ultra (btw Ultra is a brand of TigerDirect and Systemax and made most times by a third party)

#5 the_patriot11

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Posted 20 October 2009 - 05:59 PM

most PSUs from a manufacturer are not made to put out a lot of amperage. for that video card, albeit a very low end one, requires a 300 watt minimum power supply to run, which means that that card, even if that was a decent PSU, is going to task that PSU pretty hard and possibly overheat the computer and damage components. I would recomend upgrading the PSU like suggested. :D

Primary system: Motherboard: ASUS M4A89GTD PRO/USB3, Processor: AMD Phenom II x4 945, Memory: 8 gigs of Patriot G2 DDR3 1600, Video: ASUS ATI 4890 and a Saphire 4890 in Crossfire, Storage: 1 WD 500 gig HD, 1 Hitachi 500 gig HD, and Power supply: Coolermaster 750 watt, OS: Windows 7 ultimate 64 bit.
Media Center: Motherboard: Gigabyte mp61p-S3, Processor: AMD Athlon 64 x2 6000+, Memory: 6 gigs Patriot DDR2 800, Video: Saphire 4850, Storage: 500 gig Hitachi, PSU: OCZ Fatal1ty 550 watt modular PSU, OS: Windows 7 Ultimate.
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#6 user45055

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Posted 20 October 2009 - 09:51 PM

Thanks for the advice.Guess Ill upgrade the PSU and get a decent video card.Ive got 3gb of memory.Do you think this is overkill when pc is used mainly for surfing,email,and basic programs?Am also going to upgrade to 7 from XP.

#7 DaffyKantReed

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Posted 21 October 2009 - 06:39 AM

user45055, on Oct 20 2009, 07:51 PM, said:

The Geforce 6100 video on your motherboard might be sufficient for most of the Aero features in Windows 7. I'd still upgrade the PSU however.

For the needs you list it's still a very capable PC.

#8 _Allan_

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Posted 21 October 2009 - 09:32 AM

If you're not playing games, then the onboard 6100 is ... sufficent but not great. I used to have the NodusM motherboard w/ the 6100, and I found it was quite boring. I spent $90 on an Asus geforce 9400GT and am very happy.

#9 user45055

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Posted 21 October 2009 - 09:27 PM

thanks for the help.Im orderin!!!

#10 the_patriot11

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Posted 23 October 2009 - 11:26 PM

I had the NVIDIA 6150 integrated into my mobo, used it for awhile. great for everything but gaming, which is what I wanted to do with it lol. so I upgraded it to a ATI 3870 x2. but I have the 6100 in a budget system for my brother and it runs great for him. surfs the net, makes aero look pretty and good for movie watching. :D

#11 user45055

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Posted 24 October 2009 - 09:59 PM

I dont know what it is with mine.Im gonna upgrade the power supply and video card, cant do any harm,unless I screw it up.

#12 user45055

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Posted 24 October 2009 - 10:04 PM

Installed the psu.WORKS!!Cannot find connector for PCIE.

#13 user45055

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Posted 24 October 2009 - 10:32 PM

got it -plugs into card!!!

#14 user45055

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Posted 25 October 2009 - 10:19 AM

I just noticed- my old psu has 20 pin connector.New one has 20+4.Motherboard has 24.I used the 20 pins w/o the extra 4 and its running.Should I plug in the 4 remaining or just leave them unattached?Thanks.

#15 the_patriot11

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Posted 26 October 2009 - 09:48 PM

most definetly. I have a rule of thumb with computers, if theres a place to plug it in, plug it in. even if it doesnt do anything, its one less cable floating around.

This post has been edited by the_patriot09: 26 October 2009 - 09:49 PM