I have a 375 watt Power Supply, will I be able to run a Geforce 320MB 8800 GTS?

Question

I have the 6 pin PCI-E connector but the the card says 400+ watts but using a power supply calculator

http://www.extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp

I end up with less than 375 watts even when adding some extra stuff. My current computer is a Dell Dimension 9200 (brand new) with

Core 2 Duo E6420 @ 2.13 Ghz
2 x 1 gig DDR2 @ 667 speed
80 Gig Hard-Drive
256 MB DDR3 Nvidia Geforce 8600 GT
Dell Dimension 9200 BTX Motherboard

Here are some numbers I found on my power supply:

Input 100 - 120V ~ /9A 50 - 60 Hz
200 - 240V ~ /4.5A 50 - 60 Hz

Output +5V ====/22A MAX -12V ====/1A MAX
+5V(FP) ====/2A MAX +3.3V====/17A MAX
+12VA====/18A MAX + 12VB===/18A MAX

Combined Power on 3.3V/17A rails not exceed 150 Watts.
Combined Power on 12VA/12VB rails not exceed 350 Watts.
Total Power not exceed 375 Watts.

Will a Geforce 8800 GTS work?

If I add secondary power supply, will it make everything work and not fry my motherboard?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153037

Answer 1

Dell's power supplies seem to be rated lower than their actual capacity (check the forum discussions below) so you might be ok. Many people report running cards that require 400W on the 375W Dell power supplies with no probems, but the 8800GTS 320mb might be cutting it close.

If a power supply upgrade is required, someone has already mentioned PC Power & Cooling- they sell higher-wattage power supplies made just for Dells.

Answer 2

Owning a Dell and not mixing well with gaming is exactly the reason I recommend making your own computer if you are a gamer. Dell is not a bad computer but they are known to short change clients in the power supply department. Now for your next problem, if you have a Dell you must buy their more expensive Dell power supplies as they have crossed the wires around in the power connector that connects to the motherboard. If you go out to buy a power supply from newegg or where ever, you will without question fry your motherboard and void your warranty with Dell. Dells perfect Catch 22.

Last, I would get nothing less than a 600 watt power supply for the Geforce 8800 GTS. That is a wonderful video card but it is also very power demanding. Also a 600 watt power supply gives your system room to grow. A 500 might work but to be safe I would get the 600 watt and hope Dell sells such a power supply. Hope I helped and good luck.

Answer 3

Probably should squeak by. The 12 volt rating is OK and the 375 total watt rating is probably conservative.

Assuming 12VA/12VB are combined on your computer:
Combined Power on 12VA/12VB rails not exceed 350 Watts.
350 watts/12 volts= 29 amps (card recommends 26 amps minimum)

I would feel better with a bigger power supply, not sure I would spend the money to upgrade the power supply.

If 12VA/12VB are not combined then you only have 18 amps for a card that requires 26 amps.


Per
http://www.evga.com/products/moreinfo.asp?pn=320-P2-N815-AR&family=23
Minimum of a 400 Watt power supply with +12 Volt current rating of 26 Amp Amps.

Answer 4

Okay well I would see what the card you want says on how much watts is needed. If it needs more than 400+ watts I would go with a higher power supply. It sucks when buying video cards because they eat up a lot of power.

Answer 5

If that is a good brand (and certified) power supply that indicates ACCURATE specs, it could power up your rig w/ an 8800GTS on board.

8800GTS draws up to 103 watts on the +12V rail. Your E6420 draws up to 65 watts. And there are no other single device there that would draw up to 20 watts.

I would expect that power supply to run pretty HOT during gaming unless it is ATX V2.2 or 2.3 compliant.

Answer 6

Hi. Although marginal, this PSU should work. Try it. If it is not powerful enough you can always upgrade later.

Answer 7

it is close, it will work , but on a hot day and some serious gaming, it may fail or lockup.
increase your air flow, you may be ok
MIKE

Answer 8

i would get a new one