Windows 7: Using gpu without enough watts?

KayHai · 06 May 2012

I just got a new Geforce 8400gs by galaxy. The card requires about 300watts but I only have 250. What will most likely happen if I use it? will it work?

zigzag3143 · 06 May 2012

If it works at all it will be unstable and you may damage both the PSU and the card. Remember if your PSU is 300w that has to be enough for the card, cpu, ram, HD, etc, etc.

windude99 · 06 May 2012

Quote: Originally Posted by KayHai

I just got a new Geforce 8400gs by galaxy. The card requires about 300watts but I only have 250. What will most likely happen if I use it? will it work?

The manufaturers always overestimate that stuff. I run a gpu made for 400 watt power supplies on a 380 watt power supply.

James7679 · 06 May 2012

It may work, it may not. My gpu calls for 600 watts. My psu is only 550, but since it is a high quality psu, it provides more than enough juice arty the 12 volt rail.

As far as side effects, well, anything from a no boot, all the way to catastrophic failure. Use the thermaltake psu calculator online to see how stand.

ignatzatsonic · 06 May 2012

Hmmmm........

It says here:

GeForce 8400 FAQ

That the power consumption is 71 watts.

Where did you hear about 300 watts?

KayHai · 07 May 2012

Quote: Originally Posted by ignatzatsonic

Hmmmm........

It says here:

GeForce 8400 FAQ

That the power consumption is 71 watts.

Where did you hear about 300 watts?

well you know... on the box.

Joshatdot · 07 May 2012

Newegg.com - Galaxy 84GFE6DC2EMM GeForce 8400 GS 512MB 64-bit DDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Low Profile Ready Video Card
- System Requirements - Minimum of a 300 Watt power supply.

It's not that the 8400GS draws more than 300w, it's a recommendation that your PSU is 300w for everything. Post up or edit your System Specs, and we can calc, guesstimate your total power draw. And if you can, take a pic of your PSUs sticker, or tell us exactly what it says for brand and model.

bobkn · 07 May 2012

Quote: Originally Posted by ignatzatsonic

Hmmmm........

It says here:

GeForce 8400 FAQ

That the power consumption is 71 watts.

Where did you hear about 300 watts?

71W seems like a lot for a low-end card, but I suppose that nVidia knows their own products.

If KayHai is combining this with a 125W CPU, that's worrisome with a 250W PSU. Things might be OK with a 65W CPU.

KayHai · 11 May 2012

Quote: Originally Posted by Joshatdot

Newegg.com - Galaxy 84GFE6DC2EMM GeForce 8400 GS 512MB 64-bit DDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Low Profile Ready Video Card
- System Requirements - Minimum of a 300 Watt power supply.

It's not that the 8400GS draws more than 300w, it's a recommendation that your PSU is 300w for everything. Post up or edit your System Specs, and we can calc, guesstimate your total power draw. And if you can, take a pic of your PSUs sticker, or tell us exactly what it says for brand and model.

Dual core AMD athlon 64 X2 2gigs of RAM 320gig hard drive SATA 7200 RPM

DVD optical SATA drive

Joshatdot · 16 May 2012

Quote: Originally Posted by KayHai

Quote: Originally Posted by Joshatdot

Newegg.com - Galaxy 84GFE6DC2EMM GeForce 8400 GS 512MB 64-bit DDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Low Profile Ready Video Card
- System Requirements - Minimum of a 300 Watt power supply.

It's not that the 8400GS draws more than 300w, it's a recommendation that your PSU is 300w for everything. Post up or edit your System Specs, and we can calc, guesstimate your total power draw. And if you can, take a pic of your PSUs sticker, or tell us exactly what it says for brand and model.

Dual core AMD athlon 64 X2 2gigs of RAM 320gig hard drive SATA 7200 RPM

DVD optical SATA drive

Well according to eXtreme PSU calc, 250w is minimum .. but given we do not know your PSUs brand and model, your 250w might be PEAK watts.

Windows 7: Using gpu without enough watts?

Using gpu without enough watts? problems?