Best card for under $100 that doesn't use PSU

LarryJones1

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May 13, 2010
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I recently got a Lenovo H430 pc. The one with an i5-3330. It has 8 gigs of ram and integrated Intel graphics. I don't know what PSU it has, but I'm assuming it's a really crappy PSU.

I've heard there are video cards that can get all the power they need from the PCI e slot or what have you... I'm guessing I should stick with a card like that for this crappy Lenovo.

By the way, speaking of the Lenovo, it's not a full size tower. I'm not sure what size vid card can fit in there. The PC is stilled sealed in it's retail box (it's a Christmas gift)
 
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also make sure to not mistakenly get the 7750 ddr3 version . get only gddr5 version only coz ddr3 is much slower than gddr5.
get either sapphire or xfx or gigabyte
You could probably get away with a GT 640 since it draws the power it needs from the PCIE slot itself (and if I am not mistaken, per the PCIE spec they supply up to 75 W alone.) The 640's spec'd to pull 65 W of that, so it's pretty much as good as your going to get (at least from Nvidia. I don't know about AMD.)

 
 


I see, I guess I'll have to open up the box, and open up the PC and examine things. It's a Christmas gift for the family. I didn't want to open it all up and everything. I'll have to see if I get some time with the family out of the house to open everything up and then put everything back, etc..
 
Ok, I opened up the tower, and got the Power Supply model #

It has a HuntKey HK380 12GP S2 power supply. It's a 280 watt PSU.


Here is a picture of the motheboard:


DCP_8544_zpsbd6a37b1.jpg


If you look at that picture, you'll notice that the video card slot is really close to the two memory stick slots. I'm wondering if I could safely put a video card in there, or if it will end up bumping into the memory sticks.

Here is anoher pic of the inside of the tower:

DCP_8541_zps4c9efaa5.jpg





I know that the PSU is a really crappy PSU, but the thing is, I was examining it, and it seems like it would be a SERIOUS pita to get that thing out of there, and put another PSU in there. It's like it's built onto the case, and not made to be removable.
 



I think I've heard that it uses slightly less power than a 640, so it's probably better from that aspect as well.


Is there a specific version of the 7750 that I should be looking for? Can I buy whichever 7750 Fry's ends up having a sale on in the near future, or do I need to make sure it's a specific brand ?
 


also make sure to not mistakenly get the 7750 ddr3 version . get only gddr5 version only coz ddr3 is much slower than gddr5.
get either sapphire or xfx or gigabyte
 
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