power supply upgrade question

[james62755]

i have a Compaq Presario SR1630NX Desktop PC and i want to put in graphic card but i requires me to upgrade my power supply i currently have this model running my power an ATX-300-12Z Rev:.BD 300W would a 550W 3X SATA PS for BESTEC ATX-300-12Z PSU Rev.: BC fit in good and be safe on my system?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Let me guess. Did you get those "requirements" from the graphics card manufacturer?

The requirements are nearly always overestimated. The card manufacturers want to protect themselves in case a user buys a mediocre 500 watt power supply that can only supply 300 clean and reliable watts. Power supplies differ widely in quality. The claimed wattage tells you very little. They figure a lousy 500 watt unit might supply enough when a high quality 350 would be fine. Since the manufacturers can't know you are going to buy a good unit, they overestimate.

What graphics card are you thinking of?

Bestec is not a known brand. I would guess it is made by someone else and used by HP.

But it may be adequate, depending on what graphics card you want to use.

ATX power supplies should have all of the same external dimensions and will "fit". They vary in quality, power output, and the type and number of connectors. Which you will need depends on the equipment to be connected--hard drives, DVD drives, graphics cards, etc.

 

[Adrian]

Let me guess. Did you get those "requirements" from the graphics card manufacturer?

The requirements are nearly always overestimated. The card manufacturers want to protect themselves in case a user buys a mediocre 500 watt power supply that can only supply 300 clean and reliable watts. Power supplies differ widely in quality. The claimed wattage tells you very little. They figure a lousy 500 watt unit might supply enough when a high quality 350 would be fine. Since the manufacturers can't know you are going to buy a good unit, they overestimate.

What graphics card are you thinking of?

Bestec is not a known brand. I would guess it is made by someone else and used by HP.

But it may be adequate, depending on what graphics card you want to use.

ATX power supplies should have all of the same external dimensions and will "fit". They vary in quality, power output, and the type and number of connectors. Which you will need depends on the equipment to be connected--hard drives, DVD drives, graphics cards, etc.

In my experience as a builder its always better to overestimate power usage so that you are never underpowered as the OP now finds out!
Yes, 550 watts is more than adequate and should cost you between $50-$90

 

[johnhoh]

In my experience as a builder its always better to overestimate power usage so that you are never underpowered as the OP now finds out!

exactly