PC Memory

[Gwladys St. Glory]

The GFX card you have now, I believe, needs at least 1 PCI-E connector because my old 7800GT needed one, so that helps a little...hmm. You can go with the GTX 275 (best nVidia card at that price/performance ratio TBH) and try an adapter, just don't kill me if it acts up and I'd also make sure nothing else is on that line if you can help it. They typically include one (molex to PCI-E adapter) in the retail box for those in your situation, I believe...might want to verify that first with the e-tailer 'cause they tell you [Poor language removed] all about the contents from what I see.

You're right in "that zone" mate...it's a tough choice. 550W should be ok, especially if your PSU is 80+ certified but I doubt yours is because of age but that's not the end of the world. I say give it a whirl...just don't assume if it boots up into Windows that everything's good to go...you'll have to hammer on it for a couple hours with a decent game and see if it blue screens on you etc. I have doubts it will...I just hate seeing people disappointed.

 

[Gwladys St. Glory]

MADSHRIMPS - Hardware Reviews ,Crazy Projects, Modding Tutorials and Overclocking

This appears to be my PSU. But mine doesnt have those fancy blue plastic thingys.

Hmm, well if that's the case it says it's got 2 6-pins...fuggit, go fer it!

 

[Goat]

Im gonna mail the little buggers, hopefully they will know shizzle, if not im buying a frigging alienware or something.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Gwladys St. Glory]

Good luck...you'll probably be fine mate. I've built PC's for damn near 15 years now so I get a little too technical about it all and eyes start to roll back into heads.

 

[Dylan]

My PSU:

Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX 520W ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Power Supplies

I am an electrician and a PC enthusiast, been building them since I was a teenager probably around the same time as GwladysStGlory, and in that time, I have never seen rails as stable as the ones in this Corsair, at idle or under load. Magical. I am sure the other top brands are just as good, but this underlines why a good quality PSU is one of the best and safest purchases you can make for your PC.

I also run an UPS (uninterruptable power supple) for added protection.

 

[GrandOldTeam]

My PSU:

Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX 520W ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Power Supplies

I am an electrician and a PC enthusiast, been building them since I was a teenager probably around the same time as GwladysStGlory, and in that time, I have never seen rails as stable as the ones in this Corsair, at idle or under load. Magical. I am sure the other top brands are just as good, but this underlines why a good quality PSU is one of the best and safest purchases you can make for your PC.

I also run an UPS (uninterruptable power supple) for added protection.

Is that a PC?

 

[Goat]

This is the reply I got, not sure if I can be bothered trying to fit a new PSU, it all looks a bit too much for me, how much do you reckon a nerd in a shop would fit it all for me?

Thank you for your webnote.The Palit Geforce GTX 275 requires 2 6 pin PCI-E connector to power it. While I am not familiar with your PSU, the specifications I have found for it seem to indicate it just has 1 6 pin PCI-E connector. I could not advise about the quality of the HEC PSU to suggest whether a molex to PCI-E adapter would be a suitable option. It may be advisable to consider a new PSU which is designed with modern graphics cards in mind. We currently have an OCZ ModXStream Pro 600w Silent SLI Ready Modular Power Supply as one of our This Week Only offers which run from Wednesday morning to Wednesday morning.

 

[Gerard_Francis]

This is the reply I got, not sure if I can be bothered trying to fit a new PSU, it all looks a bit too much for me, how much do you reckon a nerd in a shop would fit it all for me?

Thank you for your webnote.The Palit Geforce GTX 275 requires 2 6 pin PCI-E connector to power it. While I am not familiar with your PSU, the specifications I have found for it seem to indicate it just has 1 6 pin PCI-E connector. I could not advise about the quality of the HEC PSU to suggest whether a molex to PCI-E adapter would be a suitable option. It may be advisable to consider a new PSU which is designed with modern graphics cards in mind. We currently have an OCZ ModXStream Pro 600w Silent SLI Ready Modular Power Supply as one of our This Week Only offers which run from Wednesday morning to Wednesday morning.

Maybe worth taking the lid off and having a look, my psu’s have always had a few spare connectors. Is he just trying to make a sale?

 

[Goat]

Thats what I thought, I had a look and theres loads of wires with connectors on the end, some of them are plugged into stuff and some aint, I have no idea what im even looking for.

 

[Dylan]

Is that a PC?

No, that is a Power Supply Unit (PSU)

 

[Dylan]

This is the reply I got, not sure if I can be bothered trying to fit a new PSU, it all looks a bit too much for me, how much do you reckon a nerd in a shop would fit it all for me?

Thank you for your webnote.The Palit Geforce GTX 275 requires 2 6 pin PCI-E connector to power it. While I am not familiar with your PSU, the specifications I have found for it seem to indicate it just has 1 6 pin PCI-E connector. I could not advise about the quality of the HEC PSU to suggest whether a molex to PCI-E adapter would be a suitable option. It may be advisable to consider a new PSU which is designed with modern graphics cards in mind. We currently have an OCZ ModXStream Pro 600w Silent SLI Ready Modular Power Supply as one of our This Week Only offers which run from Wednesday morning to Wednesday morning.

Replacing a PSU is easy. If you can replace a graphics card, then you can replace a PSU.

 

[Goat]

Its just scary, wires everywhere.

 

[Gerard_Francis]

Thats what I thought, I had a look and theres loads of wires with connectors on the end, some of them are plugged into stuff and some aint, I have no idea what im even looking for.

Try and find a download for the graphics card manual, may give you a clearer idea of connector/power supply requirements along with a few picture’s as well.

 

[Goat]

I looked at pictures last night and also the inside of my pc, I got very scared.

 

[Dylan]

This is the reply I got, not sure if I can be bothered trying to fit a new PSU, it all looks a bit too much for me, how much do you reckon a nerd in a shop would fit it all for me?

Thank you for your webnote.The Palit Geforce GTX 275 requires 2 6 pin PCI-E connector to power it. While I am not familiar with your PSU, the specifications I have found for it seem to indicate it just has 1 6 pin PCI-E connector. I could not advise about the quality of the HEC PSU to suggest whether a molex to PCI-E adapter would be a suitable option. It may be advisable to consider a new PSU which is designed with modern graphics cards in mind. We currently have an OCZ ModXStream Pro 600w Silent SLI Ready Modular Power Supply as one of our This Week Only offers which run from Wednesday morning to Wednesday morning.

Just found a review with test numbers. Your PSU should be fine. It isn't close to being the most efficient psu on the market, but it does come with 6-pin connectors and should power your gear just fine.

For anyone who is interested, it is running around 70% efficiency on a 120W load (around half of its actual wattage rating, not the peak rating of 550W).

HEC Group WIN 550UB PCSTATS Review - Power Efficiency / Load Tests