Upgrading Integrated Card without a new PSU

[guani]

SAPPHIRE 100323L Radeon HD 6570 1GB DDR3 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card

I don't know much about computers internally. I've been researching and unfortunately could not find any of the answers I've been looking for. I currently have the Acer Aspire X1420G running an AMD Athlon II X4 645 Processor 3.10 GHZ
and 4GB RAM.. the power supply is 220W. its very weak from what i have read. So the question is, would i be able to upgrade to a SAPPHIRE 100323L Radeon HD 6570 1GB DDR3 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100323L Radeon HD 6570 1GB DDR3 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card
Without having to swap out the PSU? I'm on a budget hence the 450$ computer, so the PSU I'm trying to avoid buying, but I will if i have to. Because if I'm going to be spending the money to upgrade my performance, I want to do it right.

Thanks in advance for anyones help and hospitality.

 

[rustberger]

Welcome to sevenforums.
A 220w power supply will explode if you try an use it with a 6570 card.
well probably not explode. lol but it won't run the card.
Minimum power supply 400w.

 

[Ivan the SoSo]

A standard PSU will not fit....The best I can find is this...Newegg.com - Suggested Products

Expensive...possibly poor quality...50 watts short......Maybe a case swap?

Deactivated anyway....

Now this might work....http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817338081

Very expensive....possibly poor quality....3.2" x1.7"x6"

 

[Darkwiz]

The 6570 will work without a PSU upgrade. I have the same computer and card. That said, I did have issues with getting the drivers installed (you'll likely want to go for 11.5; the most recent ones gave me a slew of headaches and crashes), and unfortunately still have an "issue" in that any sort of Flash item will crash it. This issue, though, may be isolated to just me, and if you're willing to look past that, it IS a very good card.

If it helps, two others around here have apparently done the same with a 5570, which is a shade weaker in performance and about the same size as the 6570.

 

[Ivan the SoSo]

The 6570 will work without a PSU upgrade. I have the same computer and card. That said, I did have issues with getting the drivers installed (you'll likely want to go for 11.5; the most recent ones gave me a slew of headaches and crashes), and unfortunately still have an "issue" in that any sort of Flash item will crash it. This issue, though, may be isolated to just me, and if you're willing to look past that, it IS a very good card.

If it helps, two others around here have apparently done the same with a 5570, which is a shade weaker in performance and about the same size as the 6570.

That will work....for a little while.....AMD Radeon HD 6670 1GB & HD 6570 512MB Review - Page 13

As the second chart shows, the 6570 draws 165 idle/202 loaded amps...so at max load you have 18 amps to run every thing else:shock:.....

Just because it fits and runs....(for a while)...doesn't mean that to do so is a good practice....

 

[Darkwiz]

Actually, allow me to correct myself. Disabling hardware acceleration fixed the Flash issue completely, and no issues have arisen related to power consumption. Also, keep in mind Hardware Canucks' power listings are for the whole machine, not just the card. The TDP's around 44W, or just under 4 Amps for the 1 GB DDR3 version; the 512 MB DDR5's TDP is 60W, or 5 Amps (Watts divided by 12, since it'll run from the 12V rail).

 

[Ivan the SoSo]

So I take that to mean when the OP's power supply smokes out you will provide a replacement?

 

[Darkwiz]

I don't know why that'd be implied. As I mentioned, two others have done similar with a 5570, one of which has been using for several months without an issue to speak of. The 6570 doesn't use much additional watts at all, but has a 10-15% increase in performance by comparison. While I've only recently put my own 6570 in (with both the card and computer being the same models as OP's), I haven't had any issues after the few that arose. And those were entirely software based (drivers, then Flash). I can only give a suggestion based on my having the same configuration as OP does.

Also of note, almost all of that 220W is comprised of the 12V rail. 192W, to be exact. The CPU and card use 139 (95 + 44, both at peak). While a higher wattage power supply wouldn't hurt, it isn't mandatory. Same for the recommended wattage; you're best off looking at reviews to find out the exact wattage the card's going to use, as well as full system configurations. Just because 400W is recommended doesn't mean it needs a 400W; if one cares to look at even Newegg's reviews, many have gotten the card running fine on PSUs as low as 250W. 200W would be too low, but 220-250 is sufficient if the rest of your stuff isn't completely overboard on power consumption.

But to answer things proper, no. That kind of thing, in the end, falls on the OP. If there's too much concern, get a higher-wattage PSU and keep an eye on the 12V Amps (you definitely don't want lower than 16 Amps). Part of stuff like this involves knowing what you're doing, what you're looking at, and basing your decision on what seems to be the safest route. Everyone's idea of that will be different, and I can understand your advice to get a better PSU alongside. Especially if OP does stuff that'll consistently load the computer for long periods at a time.

 

[Ivan the SoSo]

I don't know why that'd be implied. As I mentioned, two others have done similar with a 5570, one of which has been using for several months without an issue to speak of. The 6570 doesn't use much additional watts at all, but has a 10-15% increase in performance by comparison. While I've only recently put my own 6570 in (with both the card and computer being the same models as OP's), I haven't had any issues after the few that arose. And those were entirely software based (drivers, then Flash). I can only give a suggestion based on my having the same configuration as OP does.

Also of note, almost all of that 220W is comprised of the 12V rail. 192W, to be exact. The CPU and card use 139 (95 + 44, both at peak). While a higher wattage power supply wouldn't hurt, it isn't mandatory. Same for the recommended wattage; you're best off looking at reviews to find out the exact wattage the card's going to use, as well as full system configurations. Just because 400W is recommended doesn't mean it needs a 400W; if one cares to look at even Newegg's reviews, many have gotten the card running fine on PSUs as low as 250W. 200W would be too low, but 220-250 is sufficient if the rest of your stuff isn't completely overboard on power consumption.

But to answer things proper, no. That kind of thing, in the end, falls on the OP. If there's too much concern, get a higher-wattage PSU and keep an eye on the 12V Amps (you definitely don't want lower than 16 Amps). Part of stuff like this involves knowing what you're doing, what you're looking at, and basing your decision on what seems to be the safest route. Everyone's idea of that will be different, and I can understand your advice to get a better PSU alongside. Especially if OP does stuff that'll consistently load the computer for long periods at a time.

You seem knowledgeable about systems, and if your willing to take risks, then I wish you the best of luck.

 

[Darkwiz]

Thanks. I tend to do a good bit of research before plunging, and I'm not opposed to asking questions either. It's how I've gotten where I am now, and a similar thread I had helped a lot in that regard. But, I know issues can always come up, so I'm keeping an eye out for anything else. OP, if you decide to do the same as I have, I'd recommend similar vigilance. But if you get a better PSU with similar 12V amperage or higher, your issues there should be minimal unless something's up with the card and/or PSU.