Planning to upgrade your Graphics Card? Read First...

The most common concern about upgrading your Graphics Card is: "will my PSU handle the new one?"

That's why we're here to learn, in this sort of Tutorial i'll try to explain you guys what do you need to consider before buying a new Graphics Card and hopefully avoid any issues related to power consumption, power requirements and hardware-related requirements.


I've divided this Tutorial in 4 steps:

1) What do i want to do with my NEW Graphics Card? Do i want to Game a lot? Do i want to play Multimedia files? Do i want to do Graphics edition?

Once you have in mind what you want to do, then you can move onto the next step in this tutorial.

Here you'll find the links for:

PassMark Software - Video Card Benchmarks - High End Video Cards

PassMark Software - Video Card Benchmarks - Mid-Range Video Cards

PassMark Software - Video Card Benchmarks - Low End Video Cards

2) What's my monitor's resolution? and, would i like to hook it up to an external monitor?

If your answer is YES, then you should check what resolution is that external monitor running.. Ex: 1920 x 1080 (1080p or 1080i) Higher Resolutions means, more powerful Graphics Card to run the same game! it's NOT the same playing "a" game with different resolutions.

3) Will my PSU handle the new Graphics Card?

To find out you'll need to open the side of your case and see the Sticker on the PSU, check the Amperage on the +12V Rail(s) and the total Wattage of the PSU.

The sticker should look a little bit like this:

Now what you have to do is check the Wattage and Amperage that your new Graphics Card needs and compare it to your PSU, Here:

AMD/ATI CrossfireX

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AMD/ATI Single Card

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NVIDIA Multiple Cards

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NVIDIA Single Cards

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Once you've checked everything, do the numbers, does it work on your current PSU? go ahead and buy the Graphics Card! Not enough power from your PSU? Then go to step 4.

4) Now you need to find a GOOD branded PSU with enough power to feed your hungry Graphics Card. Where could i buy it? Which brand?

Here's a list you could check out:

Good Quality: PC Power & Cooling, Cooler Master, SeaSonic, Silverstone, Enermax, Antec, AMS, Corsair, OCZ, Ultra, Thermaltake, Zalman, Sparkle.

Low Quality: A-TOP, Aerocool, APEX, Apevia (Aspire), Asus, ATADC, Athena Power, ATRIX, Broadway, Deer, Delta, Diablotek, Dynapower, EagleTech, Enhance, Enlight, E-Power, FOXCONN, Futurepower, I-Star, In-Win, JPAC, Just PC, Kingwin, Linkworld, Lite-On, Logisys, Masscool, MGE, MSI, NMEDIAPC, Norwood Micro, NorthQ, Powmax, Q-Tec, SFC, Sintek, Shuttle, Skyhawk, Spire, Star Micro, STARTECH, TTGI, Wintech, XION, YoungYear, Zebronics.

Disputed Brands: ABS/Tagan, BFG Tech, Coolmax, Hiper, HIPRO, Mushkin, NZXT, Raidmax/Sigma, Rosewill, Scythe, Sunbeam/Tuniq, Topower, XClio, XIGMATEK.

Ok, i've decided which PSU Brand i want to buy, now... where could i buy it?

Power Supplies Guided Search at TigerDirect.com

Newegg.com - Power Supply, ATX Power Supply, Uninterruptible Power Supply, DC Power Supply

That's it, 4 easy steps to upgrade a Graphics Card without any concerns. ENJOY

I'll be editing it with more information as the other users post them here! so, post your opinions!

Cheers.
Punkster!

pretty good thread my current card takes 50 watts more then my previous 5770 which is not a bad jump

Thanks for the info. I just got my Nvidia GeForce GTX 460 1GB yesterday. Running it off my Thermaltake TR2-500 with no problems.

Just FYI I've purchased two Ultra modular PSU's a X3 @600w and my current X4 @ 1050w both are 80% Silver rated and have worked flawlessly.