What is the minimum power needed for a 300watt graphics card?

Question

I am considering upgrading my graphics card to one that requires 300 watts of power. My power supply on my computer has an output of 305 watts. I haven't taken into account that I would only have 5 extra watts for everything else in my computer. Is that enough power?

Answer 1

That's not how it works usually.

Graphics card makers want you to have AT LEAST 300 watts of power AVAILABLE for the whole PC. They don't want those old 250 Watt P/S's and it burns up and you blame them for it. If they draw 200 watts and your PC draws 65 watts that'll exceed specs of a 250 W and your PC will start doing funny things. If you have a 300 W you should be okay (but beware, not all P/S are rated the same way!)

To be safe, you *should* get an upgrade. 20% overkill in case of P/S is good. Without knowing the models and such, it's impossible to recommend something as we have no idea if it'll fit in your case.

PC Power and Cooling has a series of P/S and even 470W ones that fits in those Dell cases. Pretty nifty if you ask me.

http://www.pcpower.com/products/power_supplies/

Answer 2

Doesn't sound like it. If you have a FULL SIZE ATX case, then consider a 600 Watt power supply. They have them at NewEgg.com

Check this one out.
Broadway Com Corp P4-OKIA600-BLACK ATX 600W Power Supply 115/230 V FCC, CE, CSA $33.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817162017

But READ the SPECS... it might not be what you want.

If you have a MicroATX case, you are DOOMED. I have never seen a 600 Watt Power Supply for those tiny cases. Consider a new case.

Good luck and Happy Computing!

Answer 3

I really doubt that, considering that an average processor already draws 60 watts or so...