Do I have enough watts for my graphics card?

[Scott5]

Hi, I just got an 8XAGP XFX GeForce 6800 XT Xtreme (aka 6800 GS/XT, more specs@link below) and I have put it in my old Dell Optiplex GX270 Mini Tower. I know it has a 250W power supply and I read on the comment at the below link that it should have at least a 400W, so now I'm worried it will be killed. When I installed it, I gave it a dedicated power cable (one for cd drive and floppy, 2nd for two HDs, 3rd for the card). What should I do?

http://reviews.cnet.com/graphics-cards/xfx-geforce-6800-xt/1707-8902_7-31976942.html

Other specs for my comp:
Pentium 4 2.8 Northwood, 533Mhz FSB
2.125 GB PC3200 RAM
Windows XP Prof SP3
40GB Master HD, 120GB slave

 

[El Tigre]

Sadly, the PSU being a generic one will not provide sufficient watts and amperage that GPU needs.

 

[refillable]

No I will suggest upgrading it

 

[refillable]

No I will suggest upgrading it

 

[Scott5]

It's currently working and is having no signs of problems. And I'm not really tech savvy enough to know how to change that out. Is there no other way I could do it?

 

[El Tigre]

It may work now, but as soon as you push that card in an intensive game, your computer may crash or even have a brownout. Worst case, your PSU would go up in smoke.

Changing a PSU is really easy, just unscrew the 4 screws on the rear of the case holding the PSU. The cables for the mobo and such are self explanatory, put in new PSU, then put 4 screws back, it would take you at most 30 minutes to do this. The best way to learn is hands on experience 😉

 

[Scott5]

Best answer selected by Scott5.