URGENT QUESTION: VIDEO CARD/PSU ISSUE

[CompCop911]

I currently run an IBM NetVista A30p 8311-A1U

P4 3.06GHz
512mb RAM
80GB HDD
WinXP Home
185W PSU
NVIDIA GeForce MX 420 64mb (came with computer)

I want to upgrade to an NVIDIA FX 5700 or 5900, or ATI 9600 or 9800...the trouble is, its only a 185W PSU...

However, someone told me that I should be able to run a new vid card FINE on my 185W....and I checked on the PSU calculator at jcscustompcs.com and it told me I need at least 256W of power....I am running on 185W and I have overstressed my system MANY times with Microsoft Flight Simulator and never had ANY problems....

Can I run an FX5700/5900 or Radeon 9600/9800 without burning out the PSU??

Also I can get a 180W PSU from someone that I THINK will fit my IBM case but not sure in case i try a new card and it blows....

I also have a spare case with a 350W PSU but I dont think the IBM motherboard will fit in it, but again thats something I havent tried......

I dont want to spend too much on a video card, and I can get a FX5700 with 256mb for $130 Canadian, and a 9600 for the same price with 256mb...

So my main question is can I run a 5700 or 9600 without burning up my PSU, and what else do you guys suggest?

This is urgent so I need an answer ASAP please.... :-(

 

[chriseubank]

Is your netvista still under warranty?

If it is, I would plug one in without hesitation.

What's the worst that can happen.... it catches on fire and burns a hole in your case? Hope you have a smoke detector..

My thought would be that IBM underrates their hardware, so the 185W might be more like a 200W

Chris

 

[CompCop911]

No its out of warranty....ran out in august....so now what?

can it actually catch fire????????? :O

 

[CompCop911]

also I JUST remembered.....once when I overstressed the system in FlightSim...and my computer rebooted....what does that indicate???

 

[chriseubank]

could mean a bunch of things.. start with your event viewer, see if there is a BSOD msg in there.

hmm

I might just check to see if your other PSU will work

C

 

[rclarke250]

That IBM power supply will run the system ok with the 9600,or 5700. If you pick up a power supply from IBM,and I do all the time, you can feel the difference between them and a cheap 300-350 watt power supply. Also know that no machine runs at maximum power all the time, I mean your cd isn't on all the time,just because the computer is on. With the video cards, it more important to have a high amp 3.3v and 5v line then the 12v. the negative rails are of almost no concern as they are rarely used in todays systems. Also most IBM power supplys are different sizes then regular pc's. But a lot of the newer boards are standard size.

 

[CompCop911]

I called IBM and they said they dont sell PSUs...I have to either select one of their systems that has a better PSU (yeah...RIGHT!) or find a PSU that will fit the case.

I have spare case with a 350W PSU....but I'm not sure if the mobo from the IBM will fit in it....my warranty is out so thats not a problem, and plus if it DOES fit....the CDRW/DVD-ROM combo drive and floppy drive I have are black, cause the IBM case is black...and the spare case I have is white...it'll look ugly but oh well lol

 

[gus669]

Well if you don't mind "ugly as hell" why don't you just get a 350watt 0r 400 watt PSU for 35 dollars drill a hole in your case run the ATX connector through the hole to your motherboard and attach the PSU with Velcro on the outside. Sure it will look ghetto but "Oh Well"!

I sincerely doubt it will fry the Mobo. Mainly I think IBM was taking a cheaper way out when they made the system and put that dinky 175 watter in there. It is cheaper to buy a 175 watt PSU then buying a 300 or 350. Cost to manufacture is the bottom line. Cheap IBM, what else is new?

 

[rclarke250]

gus669 IBM has done nothing that dell,gateway,or hp hasn't done. Also you should know,IBM has not made a pc for a couple of years now. they sold the pc company,but still get product from them. And I can tell you this,I have an IBM 185w ps. fru 24p683. as a test I hooked it up to a p4 2.2ghz pc,it has a 5600 xt, and ran ut2004, and battlefront.during a lan night as a test. It ran no problem.