[Dash-X]

Hello all!

I have a big problem... I am planning to buy a new graphics card. XFX 8800gts maybe.
I don't know how big is my Power supply. I have opened up my pc and it should be written on the P-supply, right? Well there's nothing about W-s there(watts) there's only 12A bla bla and other stuff.
Is there any other way to find out how big power supply have i got?

[Compiler]

There should be a sticker on the PSU to tell you WHAT it is. Fit not, then its junk. Whatever the case, it looks like you only have 12A available anyways.... buy a new PSU. On the cheap - Coolermaster has a 500watt for about $50 on newegg.com - or for something higher-end, 550watt Corsair for $90.

Er... is the 8800gts card cheap? They're worth about $80~100 nowadays new.

[Dash-X]

Umm... there must be a way to find out my W-s amount from the other data on my P-supply maybe?i can get a 8800gts (512mb if im right) for 50...a 8800gts needs a minimum of 400W. For a 8600gt...(which i have ATM) needs a minimum 350W. so the 50W difference! i really need to find that out.

[Megabite]

Sounds like you have very cheap power-supply as it doesn't even have the Wattage stamp.
The power supply is very important part of your PC and as they are not expensive now a days then I would buy a good power supply first.

Most people buy over 400 watt PSU (400 watt works but it is max out)

[Compiler]

Sounds like you have a cheap-O PSU - so you have a high risk to blow up your computer. A cheap 500watt PSU that costs $20 isn't worth touching - I'd trust a reputable 350watt $40PSU far more.

Yeah, a lot of people buy low-end PSUs - then come back here or elsewhere when the computer doesn't work or its smoking.

[Dash-X]

There is NOTHING WRONG with my pc! I just wanna buy a new gfx card and i need to know my watts on PSU! Umm... i bought a build ready pc i had no idea what psu is in it. Only the main things. Just wanted a better pc. So i guess u ppl didnt actually read what i was typing. My PSU is 350W or 400W+. i need to find that out. any help of u or u just scream for nothing that i need a new psu?

[Megabite]

You don't seem to be listening also.......All good power supplies will have it stamp on the unit with the watts and so forth.....if you can't find it then it most likely is a very cheap one.

We can't tell you what watts it is without the sticker

If its 400Watt the card will work as long as you don't have too many other devices running like 2-3 Hard drives and other peripherals.

But more wattage would be better like 500 Watts at least

[Dash-X]

Well it must be at least 350W cus im running a 8600gt fine. Crap, I'm running 2 hard drives!

[Megabite]

You don't seem to realise the importance of a good power supply I think

If the card does not have the adequate power then it will most likely still work but not as it should. In other words it could run just like the 8600.

I myself would put the money in a good power supply first before I upgraded the Vcard.

But the choice is yours

[DotHQ]

Originally Posted by Dash-X

Well it must be at least 350W cus im running a 8600gt fine. Crap, I'm running 2 hard drives!

Is there a manufactor name & model number on the PS?
Did you get it with the case from New Egg or someplace similar?
How old is the case / PS?

Since it is working fine now I'd be tempted to try it with the new hardware. You'll know fairly soon if an upgrade is required.

[Dash-X]

Blah, here u go!

[crjdriver]

You need a new pw supply.

You have a combined 22amp on the 12V rail That is not nearly enough to run an 88xx series card. If you install the card it might run OR it might cause the pw supply to fail AND take out other parts; ie mb, ram, etc.

BTW watts mean next to nothing. It is the 12V rail that powers just about everything in a modern system. Having a lot of amps on say the 5V is worthless.

[alwrmc]

If I read the label on the photo correctly (blurry picture) it seems to say that PSU is a 120watt unit. If that is correct, I think that is the least power I have ever seen in a desktop unit. I would STRONGLY consider purchasing a new PSU.

[win2kpro]

You have 9 amps on the +12v1 rail and 13 amps on the +12v2 rail. If the power supply is built to ATX specs the +12v2 rail is isolated and dedicated for the processor, which would only leave you with 8 amps available on the +12v1 rail to run your video card, drives, etc.

I get to hits on google for that make and model power supply. Most likely, the output was calculated at 25C. In normal operation a power supply will normally operate at 40-50C. If the output was calculated at 25C then you can expect the actual power output to decrease from 8-20% at the normal operating temperature of 40-50C.

[win2kpro]

Originally Posted by alwrmc

If I read the label on the photo correctly (blurry picture) it seems to say that PSU is a 120watt unit. If that is correct, I think that is the least power I have ever seen in a desktop unit. I would STRONGLY consider purchasing a new PSU.

What you are reading is the max combined output on the +3.3v and +5v rails.