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Graphics card with low power supply help?
I was set to get a ATI Radeon 4770HD, but it needs a 400W power supply. I went to gateway.com and realized that my computer only had 220W. Can I still use this video card without side effects? If not, then is there any good video card that my computer could be compatible with?
1 Answer
- Vulcan_guyLv 61 decade agoFavorite Answer
Yeah, the Radeon 4770 needs 400W (I have one myself)
Most regular off-the-shelf computers from HP, Dell, Compaq, Gateway etc come with 300W power supplies, which are too weak to run a 4770. You'd have to replace the power supply to use any midrange gaming cards, and most people do.
With a stock 300W power supply the best card you can install is the Radeon 5670.
But 220W is REALLY low- that's the type of power supply usually found in slimline computers (which are terrible for gaming anyway because the skinny cases only accept half-height graphics cards, and no serious gaming cards exist in half-height models. In addition, the slimline cases are too cramped for good airflow, so overheating is a problem. Finally- the weak power supplies are proprietary and sometimes cannot be upgraded at all.
In a nutshell, slimlines are not designed to be upgraded, but rather used as they are. Low-cost, low-power consumption HTPC graphics cards like the GeForce 8400GS and Radeon 4350 can easily be installed, but not high-performance cards.
The Radeon 4650 is available in low-profile, it's probably your best bet.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8...
Check the user reviews on Newegg- it worked for someone's HP Slimline with a 220W power supply.
The GT220 is slightly faster, but draws more power. You probably need at least a 250W psu for that...