compatibility?

fjjbnjn

Member
would a SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 5450 1GB 64-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP be compatible with this build?

intel pentium 4 3.2 ghz
3 gb RAM
305w power supply(i originally put 300w, but i think it was 305w, not much of a difference though)

if I need to upgrade my power supply would 500w be good enough?

any advice helps thnx.
 
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d50b9d8b_800px-pci_und_pcie_slots.jpeg
 
all of the spots were open. does this mean I do have one open or is this a case that my motherboard doesnt have PCIe x 16. or do all motherboards have them, because if that is the case then yes, I do have one open.
 
If you see a slot that looks like that long yellow one, then yes you have one. We can't say if you have one or not unless you tell us what motherboard you have.
 
If you see a slot that looks like that long yellow one, then yes you have one. We can't say if you have one or not unless you tell us what motherboard you have.

dell optiplex gx620

[edit] just googled my moter board and im pretty sure it has a PCIe x 16 slot, but I need some closure.
 
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Because I know GX620's inside and out, yes I can say you indeed have a PCIe x16 slot.
 
You don't really need a PSU. We stick 5450's in GX620's and OptiPlex 755's all the time.
 
You don't really need a PSU. We stick 5450's in GX620's and OptiPlex 755's all the time.

Unbelievable.

Completely and utterly irresponsible.

Just because you 'did' it doesn't make it a good choice. God.

A Dell 300W PSU was never, ever designed for a ANY discrete gpu.

The 5450 may be low powered but telling this guy to not worry about the PSU is completley and uttterly irresponsible - especially from a mod. :mad:

AND, given its an investment is 20 bucks. Just very poor advice.

The Dell 300W PSU probably has 18A MAX on the 12V rail (if you're lucky), not factoring in derating or capacitor ageing. Deduct for its poor quality, age etc etc, you're probably looking at 12A (144W).

Even ATi recommend a minimum power supply of 400W. And manufacturers always urge on the lower side of requirements (due to wanting to sell graphics cards to as many people as possible).


ok thank you, one more question. do psus have to be compatible or can any psu be used for any build, and are watts the most important thing about a psu? because I had a few others I was looking at that were more watts for the same or less price on newegg.

Its not about watts mate, its about the amps on the 12V rail and the quality of the PSU itself.
 
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Unbelievable.

Completely and utterly irresponsible.

Just because you 'did' it doesn't make it a good choice. God.

A Dell 300W PSU was never, ever designed for a ANY discrete gpu.

The 5450 may be low powered but telling this guy to not worry about the PSU is completley and uttterly irresponsible - especially from a mod. :mad:

AND, given its an investment is 20 bucks. Just very poor advice.

The Dell 300W PSU probably has 18A MAX on the 12V rail (if you're lucky), not factoring in derating or capacitor ageing. Deduct for its poor quality, age etc etc, you're probably looking at 12A (144W).

Even ATi recommend a minimum power supply of 400W. And manufacturers always urge on the lower side of requirements (due to wanting to sell graphics cards to as many people as possible).




Its not about watts mate, its about the amps on the 12V rail and the quality of the PSU itself.

I read that manufacturers usually range on the higher side of requirements to avoid returns. but then again you know more than I do by far lol.I think that Ill stick my psu for now and as soon as I can, I'll upgrade to something better.

edit: also I looked at the ati website, and the 400w power supply is recommended, but not minimum. I have also read of other people using it with less watts and not having any trouble.
 
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I read that manufacturers usually range on the higher side of requirements to avoid returns. but then again you know more than I do by far lol.I think that Ill stick my psu for now and as soon as I can, I'll upgrade to something better.

edit: also I looked at the ati website, and the 400w power supply is recommended, but not minimum. I have also read of other people using it with less watts and not having any trouble.

Recommended is considered minimum especially when talking about very low quality units. Also, regarding reading other people using them, thats not a very good way to judge because you'll only ever see people saying 'I use it and its fine' and almost never 'yeah i tried it, it buggered my computer'.
 
Recommended is considered minimum especially when talking about very low quality units. Also, regarding reading other people using them, thats not a very good way to judge because you'll only ever see people saying 'I use it and its fine' and almost never 'yeah i tried it, it buggered my computer'.

but then again the rest of my computer parts aren't very great either so wouldn't they not stress out my psu as much. plus I could just not ever let my computer run if I leave the room to avoid it overheating and potentially damaging something.

[edit] I've been researching and the power usage is only like 20w because it is fanless and low end.
 
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I personally wouldn't worry about the PSU issue myself. You're probably fine with what you've got.
 
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