300W power supply what can I run?

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shehan360

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I got a EVER POWER 300W PSU

Here are the specs - 3.3V @ 21amps
5 V @ 15amps
12 v @ 11amps (first)
12 V @ 8amps (second)

here is my rig - Core 2 Quad Q8200 2.33GHZ
Intel DG31PR mobo
2 GB DDR 2 SDRAM
500GB SATA HArd
Samsing DVD Writer

Ok here is my problem can I run a Radeon 4850 on my rig?

AS you can see here in the reviews
http://www.techspot.com/review/103-asus-radeon-4850/page10.html
http://techreport.com/articles.x/14967/10

Those guys got way way way better rigs than me...
and the total Power consumption is around 245W max....??????????????????? :pt1cable:
 
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Onus
The slower, DDR2 version of the HD4650 is five tiers higher than the 9400GT you have now; the DDR3 version is three tiers higher than that, and really doesn't cost any more. If you are determined to spend $100, buy the HD4650 for $50 and a more capable PSU that will support future upgrades for another $40-$50 (there will be an Earthwatts in this range, usually the 380, sometimes the 430; either will support a HD5750). Then save your money for better. Kludging together multiple PSUs is penny-wise and pound-foolish at best. The odds of killing your system and ending up with NOTHING should discourage you. Experiments like that are for when you can afford the worst-case scenario, and right now that does not seem to be the case.

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AsAnAtheist

AsAnAtheist

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An HD 4770 could technically run on your power supply as it uses around 70w~, however I doubt the power supply will last very long and will probably blow out. The risk is quite frankly above moderate. On a scale from 1-10 i would rate the risk at 7/10.

When a PSU blows out it can take other components connected to it (basically every component except usb hubs..
I cannot give you an accurate analysis of the risk because it depends on the power supplies' safety features, and quality. But if it's a cheap quality power supply as I am quite sure in assuming this, you can expect it to take something with it.
 
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sabot00

sabot00

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The most you can probably expect is a 5570 or less, 4670 or less. The 5670 will probably work.
If you really want to stretch then the 5750 would work better than the 4770.

Scratch that, with those amps you're pretty safe up to the 5670, the 5750 will probably work too.
 
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capt_taco

capt_taco

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HD 4870
New power supply - $40-$50

That's the minimum I would even bother considering. No reason to mess around with a 300W power supply and a Q8200. Any card you can jam in on a 300W PSU without risk of overloading is going to be inferior to your CPU anyway.

Also, I can pretty much guarantee you that those power consumption tests showing 245W for a 4850 were done with a power supply much bigger than 300W. PSUs are NOT 100% efficient -- if you're running one at more than 75-80% of its total wattage, it'll struggle and you're at risk of burning it out. If you were running a system with 245W power usage on a 300W power supply, you've got about a sixth of its capacity to spare, so you're using well over 80%. I would not try that, with the 4850 or any other card worth having.
 
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jesmoke

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I would strongly recommend that you do not try to run a graphics card on that power supply. Like others have said you are better off upgrading your power supply to at least a 450 watt one.
 
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Onus

Onus

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As others have suggested, that sounds like a cheap generic PSU that is probably not good for its labeled rating. Even within its capacity, it may still croak violently for little apparent reason, taking other parts with it. Your best option is to replace it. There are other choices, of course, but keeping it simple (and inexpensive where quality PSUs are concerned), replace it with an Antec Earthwatts. Even the 380W version will have no trouble powering a HD5750.
That said, if replacing your PSU is not an option, the strongest card I would safely recommend for you is a HD4650. Considering that you have Intel integrated graphics now, that will be a massive improvement. Get a DDR3 version if possible, such as this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814141113 for $50.
 
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AsAnAtheist

AsAnAtheist

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A 650w 80 plus PSU will not be less efficient then a 300w when using 245w. The 300w PSU the OP has is not even 80 plus certified, or made by any viably unknown company. I cannot even find it's OEM.

The most likely efficiency for that power supply is 75%~. Put low quality components and you have a power supply that doesn't even run it's labeled specifications.

11a on 12v1 and 8a on 12v2? Anyone smell fail? See split 12v rails (more commonly the same 12v rail just split) are common on higher watt PSU, like 500w+ as a marketing gimmick. But on lower wattage power supplies, it just spells out failure. I wouldn't doubt if it's test environment, if it had one was under 20c temperature.

As mentioned earlier.

Upgrade the power supply, or the upgrade you can manage with a 300w will be anything similar to an HD 4670/HD 5570.
 
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Onus

Onus

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I can't make that guarantee. A generic PSU may blow chunks seemingly at random, for example if stressed by a 2-second brownout.
Of course, the OP could be lucky and this PSU not suck as badly as we may believe; even if it would safely handle more, a HD4650 is still vastly superior to the Intel Graphics Media Decelerator he has now, and would be a cheap and welcome improvement.
 
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GenXer

GenXer

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Why take a chance with any of your hardware? Invest in a quality PSU and upgrade your system from there. The PSU is the single most important piece of hardware you have in your rig. Don't make the mistake of being thrifty and ruining the whole thing. It happens. I don't mean to sound above this. But, I have lived the misery of this mistake. Save your money and buy a quality power supply first. Then, upgrade the other components like others have already indicated. Your PSU is more of a concern to me than your GPU upgrade. Good luck.
 
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Onus

Onus

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^Yep. It's been years since I bought a "cheap" PSU, since losing an assortment of parts to a couple of bad ones.
@OP, you don't need a big one, but you do need a good one. Antec, Corsair, and Seasonic are quality brands that have some relatively inexpensive models in the 380W to 500W range.
 
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shehan360

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Ok well replacing the PSU is not a option budget is 110 max...But heres my crazyyy idea I got a old Celeron pc which has a 400 or a 300W PSU....How about using that power supply alone to power the VGA? :pt1cable: Nothing else...Huh? Huh? :hello:
 
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AsAnAtheist

AsAnAtheist

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That would work you will just need to do a few modifications so that it's plugged into the motherboard as well to turn on using the PC button. This is dangerous and can blow your power supplies (plural yes, both power supplies).

Or you can do this mod. It can get dangerous as you can blow your power supply with a short circuit as well. I would recommend hooking up a case fan to it to test it before plugging in your GPU.
Check this thread out.

http://www.overclock.net/faqs/15751-info-can-i-use-two-power.html


Isn't there an adapter to hook up two power supplies to the motherboard?

In all honestly it would be better if you just bought a PSU, then saved up for a GPU later.
 
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Onus

Onus

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Running multiple PSUs in a system introduces all kinds of issues. It can often be done, but takes custom wiring.
A budget of $110 should fit a 380W Antec Earthwatts or 400W Corsair CX, and may be enough (if you find a deal) for a HD4670. Considering where you are now, with an Intel IGP, even a HD4650 (which will fit in this budget with one of these small but solid PSUs) will be a dramatic improvement.
Then, when your finances improve, you'll be able to upgrade further, to a HD5750.
 
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