TR Forums

Hi all,

I am planning to buy a better low profile video card from newegg but I'm not sure if my existing PSU can hold it. I think it will but, please let me know if it is suicide.

I currently have a 275W PSU that came with the APEX DM-387 case. I think it is just a generic FLEX PSU and I have a hard time finding a better replacement for it because of the design. I have no choice but to stick with it for now. I found one but it was mega expensive and it's on Ebay - so I'll pass for the PSU upgrade for now.

I currently have a 7300LE 64mb PCIe video card and its dying on me (bloated capacitor). I need to replace it with a better one.

I'm not going to play games or something video extensive, I just want a better one if I'll need it in the future. The most powerful low profile card I found is this one, the ATI 4650. Nvidia low pros are expensive and power hungrier.

Do you think my PSU can handle the 4650 DDR2 1GB video card?

I have KillAwatt and right now my system draws, 80Watts when Idle, 105Watts when Full - with the 7300LE inside.

Full Specs:

E5200 @ Stock Speed
G31m-ES2L F10 Beta Bios
1 x 7300LE 64mb generic card
2 x 2GB Crucial 800Mhz DDr2 Cas5
1 x 250GB 7200.10 Seagate Barracuda
1 x 250GB 7200.10 Seagate Barracude - External via HDD Dock Esata (has its own power)
1 x Realtek PCI network card (not the built in)
1 x Broadcom 4318 Wireless PCI (Asus WL-138G V2)
1 x DVDRW Drive
1 x Apache Universal CPU Cooler running @ 1700rpm when Idle
1 x 90mm fan Silent
1 x USB Wireless Keyboard and Mouse MK300
1 x HP2009m 20 inch LCD monitor

Apex DM-387
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811154087&cm_re=apex-_-11-154-087-_-Product

ASUS EAH4650 DDR2 1GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121340

Thank you.

well the 4650 doesn't have a pci-e connector so you are looking at a maximum of 75w over the pci-e bus for the card. actual power draw will be less though. so if you have 105w at full load and you add 75w to that for a theoretical maximum you get about 180w. my guess is your max load will be closer to 150-160w.

now your 275w generic flex psu should be able to power it all. but i bet that 180~200w is really about the maximum you want to load that psu before it blows up. and there is no telling how long your psu can handle the extra load form a new video card....it might be fine for the first few weeks but no telling how long it will last.

I'd get something a little beefier personally. At least a 400 Watt PSU to continue allowing for upgrades.

khands wrote:

I'd get something a little beefier personally. At least a 400 Watt PSU to continue allowing for upgrades.

Oh, how I wish I can Unfortunately, I rarely find Flex PSU that are greater than 350W. Unless it was bundled with whole case or super expensive if bought separately. I'm still searching though.

@ryko: Thanks for the info. I was also wondering if that would be the case since my full was already 105W. If that how it works, I think I'll be safe for now. I just don't know if my PSU will give up on me on the long run.

You should be fine. You can undervolt that CPU to save some more power.

BoBzeBuilder wrote:

You should be fine. You can undervolt that CPU to save some more power.

I was also thinking of that just incase 4650 drains more power. I'm going to order now

If your E5200 is anything like the ones I've played with then it should do 2.5ghz @ 1.0v, but this also depends on the motherboard.

Just work backward slowly drop 0.5v at a time, test and keep track of it. Just like overclocking.

I don't have any stats on the 4650, but the individual power consumption of a 4670 is 8.7w idle and 47.1w load and a 4550 is 8.1w idle and 18.5w load.

Your PSU would be okay if it were a good brand instead of Allied.
Here's the original equipment TFX power supply:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6817154027
Here's a SeaSonic 300-watt 80+% efficient unit:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6817151070

JustAnEngineer wrote:

Your PSU would be okay if it were a good brand instead of Allied.
Here's the original equipment TFX power supply:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6817154027
Here's a SeaSonic 300-watt 80+% efficient unit:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6817151070

I can't believe I missed the SeaSonic. Thanks for the link. You sir are a life saver

It should be fine. That's far from a demanding system.