To use Dell Inspiron 530 as HTPC

[Gary Marmillion]

Simply looking to connect PC to HDTV 720p in order to view video and movies from HD and streaming from internet.

Need a suitable graphics card with a HDMI port that will pass audio as well as video thru the HDMI connection. Not too enthusiastic about upgrading the PSU.

Dell Inspiron 530
Windows 7 Professional (upgrade from Vista)
Intel Core2Duo CPU
2GB RAM
PCI Express 1.0a
300 Watt PSU

If I can get the basic setup to work I am planning to upgrade to a 1TB HD and add 2GB more RAM. (if necessary?)

Would an ASUS EAH6450 AMD Radeon HD6450 1GB DDR3 Graphics Card be suitable for this?

Or perhaps a VisionTek - ATI Radeon HD 6450 1GB Memory x16 PCI Express Graphics Card?

The main reason I am concerned is that even though this seems to be a simple upgrade the specs for most new graphics cards require at least a 400 watt PSU.

Thanks for any help or advice you may provide.

 

[Bartq]

check online how much that card consumes power same as your processor etc. add it together and you should get rough idea

 

[Bartq]

dont forget that even keyboard needs food same as your hdd, cdrom

 

[Bartq]

found this spec if you did not change anything inside you should get same power consumption as decribed in herehttp://www.dell.com/downloads/global/corporate/environ/inspiron_530.pdf

 

[Bartq]

it says (70.75W The data provided is the highest wattage reading while running an Industry
Benchmark suite of tests) so plus your new card 75W according to this http://www.asus.com/Graphics_Cards/EAH6450_SILENTDI512MD3LP/#specifications you should be fine. even if you end up having problems PSU this days are affordable for every pocket

 

[k1114]

Your psu can easily go up to a 6670. The psu requirements are just estimations of what specs you will have. You should always go by a case by case basis for power requirements. Here is a cheaper one. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102933

 

[Gary Marmillion]

Thanks guys, for your help.
I found, after posting, a bunch of links on the forum where I found my answer.
It's the Dell page which lists graphics cards for the Inspiron 530 in case anyone else reading this in interested.

 

[k1114]

There are a lot more compatible graphics cards it could use, but it's a good starting list for those not familiar with computers.