Want better gaming

[jrosen1051]

I have a Dell 3847 inspiron using intergrated graphics and I think a 300w power supply. I want to put a gtx750ti graphic card to improve gaming. Do I need to upgrade the PSU also? How high is enough? Should the graphic card work OK with the 300w PSU? Advice? Comments How high a PSU should I go?

 

[nukemaster]

Ensure your system has space for the card.

Can you please get the 12 volt rating in the power supply(It is on the label of the power supply itself). It is on the sticker(snap a picture if you can).

Chances are pretty good because that card is so power friendly.

 

[jrosen1051]

Ensure your system has space for the card.

Can you please get the 12 volt rating in the power supply(It is on the label of the power supply itself). It is on the sticker(snap a picture if you can).

Chances are pretty good because that card is so power friendly.

 

[jrosen1051]

I will look on the PSU and see if there is a sticker with the volt rating.

 

[nukemaster]

You are looking for 12 volt output it may be listed as either wattage or amps(sometimes both).

 

[jrosen1051]

Lookin into the vent for the PSU I see a decal saying 12v

 

[nukemaster]

the sticker is on the power supply. You will have to remove the side panel of the computer to see it.

Something like this.

 

[jrosen1051]

It is a 300w 12 volt made in CHina

 

[jrosen1051]

Actually the Dell 3847 inspiron's case is sufficient to accommodate the gtx750ti in terms of spacing. A 300 watts PSU should be fine to power that graphics card as it is very power efficient (one of the most power efficient cards available in it's price range).. The only problem is that some 300 watts PSUs may not perform up to expectancy based on their brands and modular. What brand exactly is your PSU? Should it be a Corsair, Thermaltake, Cooler Master, Seasonic..you should be fine..

 

[jrosen1051]

PSU sticker says DELL made in china writing very small but seems to indicate mfg Namel-Lite on electronics Hope that helps define it as NOT one of the good ones you listed. If I order a corsair, would you recommend getting a little more power-like a 400? Would I have to adjust BIOS or anything or hopefully just plug in... Also if I plug in the graphic card do I need to adjust anything or should I be able to just turn it on and go.

 

[jrosen1051]

It is a 300w 12 volt made in CHina

where it was made will not say much... I think what you should do is go ahead and get the graphics card, it should work.. If later on you realize that your PC is lacking power such as shutting down, freezing on games that the 750 ti based on its quality , should be playing, then at that time you can go ahead and upgrade your PSU.

 

[jrosen1051]

Will give it a shot. Can you think of anything I might have to do other than slide the card in and restart the computer? Like adjust BIOS?

 

[nukemaster]

Most boards will auto default to dedicated video cards.

You will have to download the latest drivers from Nvidia.

I would like to help you better understand the 12 volt rail on your power supply.

Computer power supplies have one or more 12 volt rails. With single rail power supplies you have a single number for the 12 volt rail, with a multi rail setup you have more then one.

You can NOT add the rails on most power supplies and most list a combined rating.

This image may or may not be your power supply. It is a multi rail unit with 18 amps on the 12 volt rail. This is a bit low for a 300 watt unit, but should still run a 750ti.

Red is the 2 rails green is the combined and the math required to convert wattage to amps.

Here is an example of a 300 watt power supply I have my one of my systems.

 

[Kisianik]

Will give it a shot. Can you think of anything I might have to do other than slide the card in and restart the computer? Like adjust BIOS?

You should indeed give it a shot.... Ensure that the computer is powered off, insert card in designated slot, re power PC.... You will need to download it's driver from Nvidia's website and install it... Following that you should just be able to restart your computer and you are good to go

Not so simple, you need to do a clean graphics driver install. And don't forget to disable onboard video chip in BIOS, or at least in Device Manager.

 

[nukemaster]

Yes and no.

Intel onboard video for instance is very non intrusive. I have never seen it cause any issues(Intel with either AMD or Nvidia).

 

[Kisianik]

Yes and no.

Intel onboard video for instance is very non intrusive. I have never seen it cause any issues(Intel with either AMD or Nvidia).

Good catch, OP has Intel HD graphics 4400/4600.