lil help here :/

[caco794]

Ok, I'm in the process of purchasing an evga 7800GT and *shocker* I want to know if the psu is up to the task. Evga claims you need a minimum 450w psu. I bought a dell dimension 9150 (same as the xps400) from a friend (hey it was 400+ $ and brand spanking new inside the box). I've searched the forums (this one in particular) and everybody keeps recommending psu's that are 450, 430, etc.

Many people on the dell site boards say they have a 7800gt with a setup thats exactly as mine. It works fine. The dell site even offers a 7800 GTX with once again, a setup equal to mine (xps400). Users with a 7800 GTX card have comfirmed they have the same psu as I do. Heavy gamers and no problems for months.

Here's my system specs:

3.2ghz p4
2 ddr2 256 533
1 sata drive
dvdrom
cdrw
audio is onboard
ati x300
375w


I found out recently that its not the watts that we should be concerned with but the 12v rail. fwiw, I used that psu calculator and under 100% load my system goes up to 305, I think. I opened my tower and looked at the psu for the info.

I'm not entirely informed (i seached but couldnt find info) on which numbers to get so here they are:

output: +5v --- 22A MAX -------------- -12V ------ 1A MAX

There's plenty more info on the psu but I didn't know they would be useful.

I've researched plenty enough and everything points to getting the card and the psu is enough but I want to be 110% sure. Thanks in advance for reading and hopefully, replying,

 

[Vertigo Acid]

I'm not entirely informed (i seached but couldnt find info) on which numbers to get so here they are:

output: +5v --- 22A MAX -------------- 12V ------ 1A MAX

That's the -12v amperage rating, or at least I hope so

 

[Shmuckety]

You would have to look at any and all listins of the +12V Amp rating.

 

[Archaea]

If you can confirm that Dell ships the same exact PSU out to the people who order the Geforce fx78xx cards then I wouldn't worry anymore about it. We run Dell systems here t our work, 1500 or so systems(i'm on the helpdesk), and I dont' think I've replaced a single powersupply in the 3 years I've worked here. Dell makes quality systems, and doesn't skimp to the point of risking equipment.

However, if they "upgrade" the standard PSU that comes with your system in order to sell the 78xx card then you'll need to do likewise.

Some of the guys here will tell you that you need more than you really do because they are like sports cars freaks. You don't ask a muscle car fanatic if you can buy a honda. they'd laugh and say no way...but a honda will get you from point a to point b just like a 500 HP 'cuda, and if all you need is to get by, and not to run SLI, or any extra PCI cards then you'll probably be okay.

 

[caco794]

If you can confirm that Dell ships the same exact PSU out to the people who order the Geforce fx78xx cards then I wouldn't worry anymore about it.

I don't know if you're aware but this site reviewed the xps400. In the specs, the psu was listed as 375W. The same I have. They chose from Dell a NVIDIA GeForce 6800 PCI-E x16 256MB. In the article they didn't mention anything about the psu not working up to snuff. The only thing bad was about the bloatware and the stuff it did to games. fyi, not in my box. lucky, I guess. Now, if that psu can hold that card, won't it be able to hold the 7800 which draws less power than the 6800? Also, like I mentioned before, in the dell store you can order a 7800GTX for the xps400. If the system couldn't run that card surely wouldn't they take out that option?

You would have to look at any and all listins of the +12V Amp rating.

Ahhh... I see.

+5v --- 22A MAX -------------- -12V ------ 1A MAX
+12VA ------18A MAX ---+12VB--------18A MAX

Also, if it helps:

Combined power on +3.3V And +5 rails not exceed 150w
""""""""""""""""""""""""+12VA AnD +12VB not exceed 360w

 

[Archaea]

if it's got dual rail 12 volt lines at 18amp a piece you'll be 100% okay....don't worry a second longer.

Dell makes quality computers...as a comp tech that works with many of them on a daily basis I know.