I have a 250W PSU, but for a new video card, I need a 300W PSU. Uhh, is this absolutely neccessary? Just like to check before I fork out the cash for a new one :|

depending on what you have in your system if you have a 250 w psu i doont think it would be wise to tempt fate. Get a new one, because even if it does run it is really putting a strain on the thing and i think youll end up replacing it anyhow. also dont buy a cheapone ,cause youll be paying for a new one after that. The newer card REQUIRE better psu's especially the nvidia lines. ATI has also started useing psu power to supplement it self. I may be a linux newbie but I am Hardware Certified (a+) and i would get a new psu.REQUIRE a psu with power for a video card

i would think about a 350 or a 400 though.

without current system specs its impossible to tell you yes or no.

just some FYI, all modern systems since the first Athlon slot A came out and the ALL P4s you have had a min. requirerment of a 300W PSU.

if you are still running a 250W PSU then you have a low end PIII (under 600speed) or an old 486 AMD and that new vid card will be AGP8x and will not fit your MB.

if you are running a newer system and still runnign on a 250W PSU, its a wounder you system works at all. current systems (2G + CPUs with 128+M vid cards, and all the other fun stuff) require 350W or better PSUs.

let that be your guide.

As a general rule, if the manufacturer indicates that there is some minimum hardware requirement, I wouldn't advise arguing with them. That being said, if you are going to upgrade, I'd go at least 400W. The marginal cost difference is pretty small between say 350 and 400. Good luck with it -- J.W.

Thank you for your help guys.

If u have time, could u please recommend a PSU for me from this list? I have a 1.8GHZ Athon processor on a compatible MB.

http://www.auspcmarket.com.au/index....ucts.php?input[category_id]=96

the only PSUs that i buy are the Antec line of PSUs. they have 2 lines the higher end is called TruePower, but the standard line is still heads above the average PSU out there...

a good PSU is just like good quality ram. do not skimp. FYI with a 1.8G CPU you should be running nothing less then a 300W PSU, if you are running any kind of a gaming box, then i would go no lower then 350W, and if its a server with multiple drives id go no less then 400W.

'tis a gaming setup

thankyou for your help.

what are the rest of the specs on that system. if its a gaming rig you might want to consider higher then 350W even a truepower line 350W might be a bit low.

Quality is just as if not more important than Wattage rating. Getting a decent antec PSU is much better than a "generic" thing that comes with your case.
You shouldn't need more than 400W, perhaps not more than 350W, but make it a good one! there's nothing worse than an overloaded PSU dying taking out your motherboard and perhaps more with it.

I likewise recommend Antec -- J.W.