Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

New graphics card, power supply?

  • 07-12-2008 4:21pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,031 ✭✭✭


    Just bought the Nvidia 9800GT for my Dell Inspiron 531 Desktop.

    Took it out of the box, it appears to need a power supply. I've installed a couple of other graphics cards before but I havn't a clue as to the ins and outs of power supplies. Didn't even know I'd need one.
    Do I need to buy a new power supply or can I just plug it into parts of the computer itself?

    Any help welcome.


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,044 ✭✭✭Sqaull20


    It will work, but you will need a sata 2 molex connector.

    SATA2MOLEX.jpg

    I have put a few powerful cards into the same Vosto dell pc and they work a treat.

    You can get the adaptor on ebay or most computer sites.

    If your having trouble finding one without ridiculous postage.Give me a pm and I will send you one, I have loads of them lying around.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,031 ✭✭✭Lockstep


    Card came with a connector that looked like this:
    12-189-120-02.JPG

    Any idea what the slot it's supposed to go in looks like?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,864 ✭✭✭uberpixie


    Card came with a connector that looked like this:
    12-189-120-02.JPG

    Any idea what the slot it's supposed to go in looks like?

    6pin goes in the card, you then pop in two molex connectors from the power supply in the pc into the two ends of the adapter that came with the gfx card.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Molex_female_connector.jpg

    If your psu does not have 2 old school molex connections, but has sata power connections instead, you need to get x2 SATA to MOLEX adapters as listed by Squall.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,031 ✭✭✭Lockstep


    Hmm, I couldnt see anywhere on the computer to stick the adaptors in.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,044 ✭✭✭Sqaull20


    The 9800gt needs to get power from your power supply to run.Inspiron's dont have a 6 pin P8 connector, nor do they have a 4 pin molex connector anywhere off the power supply.

    The 6 pin from the pic, goes into the graphics card and 4 pin connects to the sata 2 molex connector I have shown above.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,031 ✭✭✭Lockstep


    So all I need is the sata 2 molex connector and I'm set to go?

    Whereabouts does the molex connector plug into?

    (sorry about all the questions, this is the first time I've ever had to change a card with a power supply)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,044 ✭✭✭Sqaull20


    Molex connector, connects to the spare SATA connectors in your Inspiron, which are normally used for new hard drives, dvd drives etc.

    ssf8gzk3draba2oxvfcz.jpg


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28,789 ✭✭✭✭ScumLord


    If you don't want to have to wait for postage Maplins usually have those connectors.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,044 ✭✭✭Sqaull20


    ScumLord wrote: »
    If you don't want to have to wait for postage Maplins usually have those connectors.

    Nice, they look at you wierd if you go into Pc World asking about anything other than an ipod connector :D


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 29,930 ✭✭✭✭TerrorFirmer


    Just to clarify every computer has a power supply, and every video card gets it's power from that power supply. The only difference is that some of the higher performance cards can't be powered by the PCI-E bus exclusively, so have to take it from the PSU directly as well via 6 pin pci-express connectors, much in the same way your optical drives and hard drive are powered by the PSU. Many Dell power supplies are capable of powering such cards but don't have the necessary 6-pin pci-e power cable because the machine isn't aimed at that market. The Pci-express connector though looks different to a sata or molex header, so there's no confusing it. Either Maplins or PC World should have those adaptors, though they probably charge a ridiculous price for them. What Squall has shown you in an adapter to change the Sata headers in your Inspiron to molex headers, so you can then use the adaptor that came with your card to power it. Basically:

    Two of these, purchased from Maplins or wherever, go onto 2 of these which are already in your case stemming from your power supply; then this goes onto those newly created Molex Headers and the other 6-block part into your card. :)


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,031 ✭✭✭Lockstep


    Cheers folks, really appreciate all the help.

    Only problem is that my Dell is only 300W PSU, looks like I'll have to fork out extra for a new one.

    Terrorfirmer: is there anything in Maplins or PC world you could reccomend?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 29,930 ✭✭✭✭TerrorFirmer


    The card will work on that PSU fine most likely. Dell always underrate their supplies, and added to that cards don't require remotely what the box says they do anyway. They probably do that to cover themselves with the unavoidable amount of people using really cheap/poor quality supplies.

    If you really want a new PSU, Maplins recently had the 480w X-Power gamer edition for 41 euro, not a bad power supply. But I cannot stress enough these are not the same as the normal red-boxed X-Power PSU's, avoid those at all costs.

    Other then that special offer, power supplies in PC World and Maplins are still using the prices of today for yesteryears power supplies. Don't even bother looking at them. Something like this is fairly cheap and would definitely power the 9800GT.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,864 ✭✭✭uberpixie


    The only PSUs I would get out of maplin would be FSP Blue Storm II's

    Not the most efficient PSUs out there but dependable and much much better than the dodgy stuff they sell.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,044 ✭✭✭Sqaull20


    Agree with terror that psu is fine, I had the same psu with the same card and it worked perfectly.I even pin modded the E6600 in it to run over 3ghz, so you will have no problem.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 29,930 ✭✭✭✭TerrorFirmer


    uberpixie wrote: »
    The only PSUs I would get out of maplin would be FSP Blue Storm II's

    Not the most efficient PSUs out there but dependable and much much better than the dodgy stuff they sell.

    Except they charge 100 euro for them, so no point recommending it. :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,864 ✭✭✭uberpixie


    Except they charge 100 euro for them, so no point recommending it. :D

    True!

    Funnily enough I did manage to stear some random Polish bloke who was in there about a year ago to getting the FSP over the X power psus though.

    Saved him big time: if you are getting ripped off in maplin it may as well be on a half dacent product Vs a totally ****e one.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,936 ✭✭✭ewj1978


    hi folks.. im also in the same boat as Kickoutthejams...

    i have a inspiron 530 with a 300w psu and a 8600gt..runs fine but gonna give my dad the 8600gt and get a 9800gt... only thing I was unsure about was the damn psu requirements.. now I see that I have to buy a new psu ...:( Anyways my question...

    would a hd4850 be better than the 9800gt?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,031 ✭✭✭Lockstep


    ewj1978 wrote: »
    would a hd4850 be better than the 9800gt?

    Yup,
    http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-graphics-card,2064-7.html

    ALthough I dunno if you need a better power supply or not.

    ALthough keep in mind that it appears a 300W will work fine with the 9800 GT


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,936 ✭✭✭ewj1978


    yeah thats the problem...it appears... Can't be certain cos if it strains the psu then bb psu and possibly the mobo as well...

    from the Nvidia forum.."the 9800GT needs 400W and 26 amperes on the +12V rails. You only have 300W and 18 amperes on the +12V rail."

    also if you go here...
    http://support.asus.com/PowerSupplyCalculator/PSCalculator.aspx?SLanguage=en-us

    it says I need a... minimum of 550W with a 9800gt installed... :?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 29,930 ✭✭✭✭TerrorFirmer


    It's already been said on this very thread that

    1) those requirements are always overated
    2) dell psus are always underrated in contrast

    A quick google search of 'inspiron 530 *insert model here*' reveals most cards up to at least 9800GT class seem to work fine.


  • Advertisement
  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 18,381 Mod ✭✭✭✭Solitaire


    +1 to the above comment.
    Nice, they look at you wierd if you go into Pc World asking about anything other than an ipod connector :D

    They look at you weird if you go into PC World.

    Period. :p


Advertisement