9800 Pro and PSU question

[splinter3k]

I know it gets asked a lot, but funds are tight right now yet the undying urge to upgrade something is upon me, but I need details...

I have the following system....

Athlon XP 2800+ (Barton)
2x512MB DDR333
Seagate 120GB HDD, 7200RPM
1x NEC DVD+/-RW 8x
Asus A7V8X-LA mobo
Silenx 92mm Exhaust fan@12v
Antec exhaust blow@12v
Sapphire Radeon 9600 Pro

powered by a Fotron 300W PSU with the following specs...

Output: +3.3V@28A, +5V@30A, +12V@15A, -5V@0.3A, -12V@0.8A, +5VSB@2A


Simple question, can I upgrade to a Radeon 9800 Pro with this PSU or do I need to upgrade it as well?

 

[dreamreality]

You will need to upgrade your PSU.

I had a similair setup and i was using an Antec 350w. It was fine until i got my 9800pro. It required a lot more wattage. Well, not a lot, but a significant amount. At times, i would get blue screens. At first i thought it was because of my OC'ing, but before i got the card, i would be able to stay at the OC speed without blue screens. Then i found out my PSU couldn't handle the OC and the video card. Then i swapped it out for a 480w Thermaltake and now everything runs smoothly.

 

[splinter3k]

That's what I was afraid of, although I don't overclock at all.

 

[dreamreality]

Yea, but with all the hardware that you have now, i would upgrade anyways.

 

[CleanSlate]

300w of a good psu is probably the lowest you'd ever want to go with that processor and motherboard... with a 9800 pro you should be hitting 400w of a good power supply, I suggest looking at the $30 TT 420w psu, it's an awesome value and I hear it's a very realiable psu. You can find it at the egg.

~Adam

 

[dandragonrage]

Avoid the TT PSU and get a new Fortron with more power.

 

[CleanSlate]

There is nothing wrong with TT psu's. I own one and it runs very well. Has a fan controler stock too.

~Adam