Well, poop

[kierthos]

Turns out the power supply in my computer (according to the little sticker on it), is rated for 350 W max, which, on a side note is interesting, because the video card recommends a 400 W power supply.

This means that either the new video card, whatever it may be, will have to have something along the same lines in power requirements OR I buy a new power supply when I get the video card (although I have no idea how difficult it is to replace a power supply) OR I get a video card that allows for an extra (external) power supply.

I suspect the latter may be the easiest way to handle it.

Comments

[mithras.livejournal.com]

Power supplies can be easy to replace.

I would, however, recommend picking up a power supply / case combo. It's easier to fit the other hardware in than move power supplies.


Just a power supply, Silverstone makes good ones.

[mithras.livejournal.com]

I'd also go somewhere in the 700W area.

[kierthos.livejournal.com]

*nod* I'm probably going to ask Jason for extra advice. I want to go the easiest route in terms of what I have to do to the computer, and since I'm not that good with hardware.....

[jdack.livejournal.com]

Long as your PC case is a standard tower and not some slimline job, PSU's are universal. They even have matching screw holes. Pretty easy to swap.

I suggest OCZ brand. Spendier, but worth it.

[ranchonmars.livejournal.com]

Does a bigger power supply mean more heat, and thus, more fans? My new computer came with a very meager power supply and like Kierthos, I have to upgrade the PSU before I can install a better video card.

[kierthos.livejournal.com]

I think (remember, I suck at hardware specs) that the more powerful the power supply, the faster or better the fan works, so it balances out.

That being said, my friends have suggested a local computer store owner who is a friend of theirs (I think I've met him a couple of times, years ago), who I'm just going to take my computer to and ask him "what can I do with this?"

I'm hoping that it's going to be as simple as 'new power supply' and 'new video card' without having to upgrade the motherboard, because if that's the case, I could probably get a brand new computer for about the same price, but as this one is just under two years old, that seems a touch extreme. (The previous computer made it seven or eight years before being replaced, and the one before that lasted at least seven.)