BleepingComputer.com: Dell Dimension 8300 PSU & VCard Upgrade

I want to upgrade my PSU for my Dell Dimension 8300 to be able to use the newer video cards. I read up on how the PSUs by Dell are wired differently from the standard PSUs, so I'm gonna have to get one that's compatible. I might be getting this card:

BFG GeForce 7600GS OCd
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/se...mp;body=QA#tabs

It says at minimum a 350W PSU.
Right now I have a GeForce FX5200 in my system.
I'll have to check what my current PSU is - it might actually be adequate enough =P

I would also like to know if I would need any third-party cooling additions for the Video Card and Power Supply or if the cooling systems included with the products are sufficient.

I'd just like to hear what you guys would recommend for my system, I live in Canada so no newegg.com for me, but I could just get the names of the products. Thanks.
I'll check up on the current PSU when I get the time.

*Edit
Just checked inside the case and I currently have a 250W PSU
Would I be able to use this 250W PSU with the 7600GS just w/o the maximum potential of the card or do I really need the 350W PSU to even be able to run the card?

You really need to get a new PSU. It probably will not work at all.

Well, it uses a standard ATX PSU, so don't get the proprietary Dell units used on the earlier models.

According to my happy chart, a 7600GS and a FX5200 both pull about 30 watts. I can't imagine that overclock version pulling more than 40 watts. If it were me, I would give it a shot with your current PSU.

Alright, thanks for the info. I'll try my current PSU just cause it means spending less money. If I think the 7600gs isn't working at full I might buy another PSU.

If I do try my current PSU would there be any possibility of damaging my system because the vid card doesn't have the minimum amount of Wattage? From my own logic, I don't see how it could, but just to make sure, i'm asking =D

your system might become unstable, but I don't see any reason why there would be any damage

sesoit, on Nov 12 2009, 08:55 PM, said:

Well, if a power supply dies for whatever reason, it can take out other components. (E-Machines Oh My!) My point was that since your two videocards are so close in wattage demand, I think there is minimal risk in trying. As far as damaging a videocard because of insufficient voltage, I don't see that happening.

Ok thanks for your help guys, I'll try it with my current PSU and see what happenes. Problem now is trying to find it in stores cause I never really did trust shipping w/ its high shipping prices xD

Ugh, I couldn't find it anywhere in stores but I did find an ATI x1650 pro AGP which they said was better. All I need to know is if my amp rating on the 12v rail (16A) is enough to accommodate the card. I've tried searching online for minimum specs for the x1650, but no luck. Only general watts were given D:

Depending on the stock clocks of the card, it might pull north of 60 watts. That might be pushing it a bit with a stock 250 watt PSU.

I did a bit of more research and I came across someone saying something about Dell rating their PSUs with sustained watts rather than peak watts which is what most other companies do. So would this mean that my PSU is slightly better than sounds? I don't know, I'm just trying to find every piece of hope I have for just upgrading this card and nothing else. I might just upgrade the PSU and VCard at the same time when I have the money just to be safe.