Replacing Power Supply

[totallymon]

Hi,
I'm about to buy a new graphics card, and I need about 550-600 Watts power supply at least to use it properly. Seeing as my computer (an hp pavillion p6270z ) only has about 300, I need to upgrade it. Is this safe to do on my own? I opened my computer up and I couldn't identify where the current one is, but would I merely replace it with the new one? And do I need to make sure I buy one that will specifically fit with my computer? This is the motherboard I have.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01925486&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en#N316

Thanks in advance

 

[Graphite946]

http://youtu.be/s0udZ0Ky4Pk

Safe to do on your own if you're slightly mechanically inclined. I bet a local computer shop wouldn't charge much to change for you though.

What power supply are you going to buy? I recommend the Corsair's, what GPU are you buying?

 

[ko888]

For a system using a single Radeon HD 6870 graphics card AMD specifies a minimum of a 500 Watt or greater power supply. The power supply should also have a combined +12 Volt continuous current rating of 30 Amps or greater and have at least two 6-pin PCI Express supplementary power connectors.

Total Power Supply Wattage is NOT the crucial factor in power supply selection!!! Total Continuous Amperage Available on the +12V Rail(s) is the most important factor.

The HP Pavilion p6270z takes a standard ATX PS2 form factor power supply. The PCIe x16 slot on your motherboard is PCI Express 2.0 which is determined by the AMD 785G Chipset.

Stick with reputable power supply brands like Antec, Corsair, Enermax, Seasonic, XFX.

 

[jsc]

If you are replacing a power supply, what kind of motherboard you have is not important. What is important is the kind of case you have.

A standard ATX PSU will fit in your case.

If you are inexperienced:
Make a written list of what cables you disconnect from the system when you remove the PSU from the system. Then reconnect the replacement in the opposite order.

I suggest:

XFX 550 watt PSU (built by Seasonic) - $73
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207013

For a budget:
Antec 550 watt Basiq - $65
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371016

In this size of PSU's, I do not think modular is a particularly good idea as you will not have many cable left over.

 

[totallymon]

http://youtu.be/s0udZ0Ky4Pk

Safe to do on your own if you're slightly mechanically inclined. I bet a local computer shop wouldn't charge much to change for you though.

What power supply are you going to buy? I recommend the Corsair's, what GPU are you buying?

I was going to buy an AMD 6870 or 6850, but due to recent money going down the drain, I might have to resort to the 6770. And I'm going to get a power supply based of which one of those I get. Also thanks for the answer!

 

[Graphite946]

I was going to buy an AMD 6870 or 6850, but due to recent money going down the drain, I might have to resort to the 6770. And I'm going to get a power supply based of which one of those I get. Also thanks for the answer!

You're welcome!

For any of the above GPU's, I'd recommend the corsair 430cx, it will handle all of them easily, and is also high quality.

Also, don't forget to pick the best answer.

 

[totallymon]

Best answer selected by totallymon.