Gaming Seeking guidance for purchasing a video card

[GeekyGuy]

Hmm...okay. I've installed my share of various cards -- sound cards, video cards, RAM -- over the years, but I've never tinkered with the power supply. To find the specs you're referring to, just open her up?

I'll try and reply with that in a bit.

 

[playallday]

Just use CPU-Z.

 

[GeekyGuy]

Just use CPU-Z.

That's an interesting piece of software. Thanks.

Well, I don't know exactly what all I'm looking at, but here are some of the things it tells me:

Intel Celeron 352
Core voltage: 1.258 V

I don't really see a reference to voltage or amps anywhere else, but if there's something else specific I should look for, please let me know.

 

[notnarb]

I've never known CPU-Z to display info about your power supply, I'm fairly sure the only way is looking at the sticker usually located on the side of the power supply. the relevant information is the Ampers listed next to the 12V rail (12v+ not 12v- if that is specified). You probably don't have a very good power supply so it should be in the 18A neighborhood.

edit: also - gross, celeron, you are probably about due for a computer upgrade anyways if you plan to play new games, just an fyi.

 

[GeekyGuy]

Sorry, it's taken me a while to get this info; I hadn't shut my computer down for a few days due to things running overnight.

Anyway, the best I could ascertain by opening it up, this is the model power supply I have:

http://www.power-on.com/atx12vhp300bt.html

I didn't know how to make heads or tails out of the info, so I thought it best to perhaps just post a link to the specs.

 

[Mangofett]

the 4600 need at least a 400w PSU
the 9500GT requires 350w also

both of which are above his 300w PSU

Those are specs-for-noobs provided by the manufacturer. He shouldn't have a problem installing them at all.

9500gt uses 50w max, which is about 4 amps on the +12 rail. You have 19A so I think you should be fine, even with an aged psu

 

[GeekyGuy]

Cool, man. Thanks. Would the 9500GT be a substantial jump up from the integrated Xpress 200?

 

[playallday]

Just found a nice PSU for $30USA with free shipping.

Link removed for OP.

 

[GeekyGuy]

All right, well, not to beat a dead horse, but without considering a new PSU as an option, let me try to work around it. I went to the Nvidia website, and they have an option to "help me choose." I selected 300 watt power supply (the lowest option they allow, by the way), and it gave me these cards as viable options:

9400GT, 8600GT, 8500GT, and 8400GS

Do you guys feel like these are actually viable options for me that won't cause damage to my system over time (and run as intended), and if so, which do you feel would give me the most bang for my buck?

Thanks again.

 

[Mangofett]

The 8600GT uses more power than the 9500GT though :s

If you wanna play it safe, 9400GT is your best bet. 9500 and 8600 are relatively similar in performance.

 

[GeekyGuy]

Hmm...I'd definitely prefer to play it safe, so I'm down for the 9400GT, but again, would this be a significant step up from the Xpress 200 for playing games? Also, which model of the 9400GT would be the best to opt for in terms of falling in line with my current power supply?