Best video card to run on a 180watt PSU?

[Washoe]

I have a budget PC from newegg... 180 watt PSU. Currently has an onboard ATI Radeon 3000. Wondering if it is at all possible to find an upgrade to the video card. I don't expect to be playing Crysis 2 on it or anything. Just wondering what my options might be (if any).


btw I'm thinking of something like this:

HIS H545H1G Radeon HD 5450 (Cedar) 1GB 64-bit DDR3

Thanks!

 

[nanaki333]

i wouldn't bother with anything that has a 64 bit memory bus. it wouldn't be much better than your current IGP. i would go with a 6650/70 like this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150542

 

[Washoe]

Thanks nanaki ... I found a 5450 that's 32-bit here:

HIS H545HO512 Radeon HD 5450 512MB 32-bit DDR3

My biggest concern is with the power supply though - would it be handle that 6670 or this 5450? The 5450 says 400 Watt or greater power supply recommended. Is the answer: "Duh - it says 400 watts and you have 180 watts, therefore it won't work", or is this something I can overlook and still get away with?

 

[Lonyo]

HD6670 is going to be the most you can get performance wise with low power.

As far as power requirements, they are basically done with really bad PSUs in mind.
Since you have a budget PC from Newegg, the PSU might not be that good, so you would be advised to check what it says on the side it can output (specifically at 12v).
Also the other specs are important to make sure overall system power use won't be too high.
The 6670 itself doesn't use masses of power though.

 

[nanaki333]

i've got a custom rosewill mini-ITX case with 150W PSU using a 45w AMD x2 that has a 6650 in it and it does just fine. they mainly wanted it for dual display and watching netflix HD and flash games and such. it's never had a problem or shown any signs of such.

 

[betasub]

Thanks nanaki ... I found a 5450 that's 32-bit

LOL, I think nanaki meant you should look for something with a 128-bit memory interface. 64-bit memory = slow low-end cards (maybe that's all your PSU can handle, or all you need), but 32-bit... sheesh, ack!

And the 400W "requirement" for a 5450 is a joke. They have minimal power requirements - perhaps someone can confirm just how low.

 

[tweakboy]

180w it too low for CPU and GPU and other stuff.

it doesnt have enough voltage either I bet.

 

[Lonyo]

180w it too low for CPU and GPU and other stuff.

it doesnt have enough voltage either I bet.

Please don't spread FUD.

 

[Zargon]

I ran a 5670 on a very small PSU with a machine that idled at 35watts. its max TDP isnt that high

with a 6450 etc you are probably going to be able to do it easily, when teh gpu maxes out under 50w TDP.

the 6670 maxes at 66w, the 6570 is 44w.

 

[nanaki333]

LOL, I think nanaki meant you should look for something with a 128-bit memory interface. 64-bit memory = slow low-end cards (maybe that's all your PSU can handle, or all you need), but 32-bit... sheesh, ack!

And the 400W "requirement" for a 5450 is a joke. They have minimal power requirements - perhaps someone can confirm just how low.

DOH! i was wondering why he mentioned a 32 bit card too. it didn't click until now.

 

[Washoe]

LOL, I think nanaki meant you should look for something with a 128-bit memory interface. 64-bit memory = slow low-end cards (maybe that's all your PSU can handle, or all you need), but 32-bit... sheesh, ack!

LOL ok I get it now :forehead smack:

And the 400W "requirement" for a 5450 is a joke. They have minimal power requirements - perhaps someone can confirm just how low.

Thanks - I still have my eye on a 5450 just to be safe about power requirements. Totally budget build here. For my aunt who does light gaming (Railroad Tycoon, adventure games, I think she plays some WoW too)

 

[Zargon]

at what res?

 

[Washoe]

btw this is the rig:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883108456

The PSU is Lite-on 180w. Regarding output it says +12V === /14A MAX

later it says +3.3v/+5v/+12v Power shall not exceed 170W

I double checked to make sure it has a pci e slot! Has one that says 16x.

Only one problem is - I do not see a PCI-E power connector! Checking newegg to see if there are adapters that might work... (or do I even need one for these budget cards...?)

 

[Washoe]

at what res?

1280x800

 

[toyota]

there is no pcie connector because you will not be able to power a card that requires one anyway.

 

[Washoe]

there is no pcie connector because you will not be able to power a card that requires one anyway.

thanks.

 

[Washoe]

ok I think I'm just going to go with this:

PowerColor Go! Green AX5450 512MK3-SH Radeon HD 5450 (Cedar)

$25 with MIR... I still spent well under $400 total. My aunt will be happy. Thanks all for the help.

 

[Zargon]

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-5570,2552-4.html

sounds like the 5570/5670 or 6 series varients are the best bet.

most of the low end cards dont have the PCI power connector anyways because they dont need it

 

[Washoe]

Thx for the input Zargon - I am taking a look at some 5570s on newegg now.

 

[-Slacker-]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139026

You have been warned.

 

[Zargon]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139026

You have been warned.

I have 3 machines in my house that together wouldnt max out the PSU.

a reference 5570 has a TDP of 43w.


washoe what else is going in this rig?

 

[Washoe]

washoe what else is going in this rig?

Lenovo H405 (7723-1AU)

Processor AMD Athlon II X2 255 3.1GHz
Memory 2GB DDR3 1333MHz
Hard Drive 500GB 7200RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s
Optical Drive DVD±RW Drive
Integrated ATI Radeon 3000
Sound card - Integrated
Power Supply 180 watts, universal, manual switch
Keyboard PS/2 Keyboard
Mouse USB Optical Mouse
Operating System Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit

That's it

 

[Zargon]

unless the mobo is an utter POS you should be fine I would think

the aII x2's are super powersippy

you have a kill-a-watt?

 

[Washoe]

you have a kill-a-watt?

No... never heard of it.

 

[Zargon]

its a little power meter you can plug into the wall then plug the computers power cord into, to get a watt reading