Need a second opinion!!!!

C

crp6652

New Member
Ok I bought a new graphics card for a computer that I bought from a buddy. I thought my old one was fried because everytime I did a Dirextx Diagnostics test it would say N/A for device. The card the computer came with is a Jaton MX-440-8x. I removed that graphics card adn went to bestbuy to look for a new one. I asked somebody from the geeksquad if they had anything compatible. The guy said yeah we have 2 different ones. He said they will say AGP on them. They only had one left in stock so I just grabbed it and walked it back to him and double checked to make sure it would work. He said it would but I might have a problem with power supply. The card I bought is a Radeon HD 3650. On the box it says recommended 300V of power. When I got home I checked and my computer said 115v/230v. I said what the hell and plugged it in anyways. When I powered on the computer, it said in red letters that I did not plug in the power cord for my graphics card. So I called up the geeksquad to see if I could get an additional power supply. some lady basically answered and told me that I didnt want to add an additional power supply because it would fry my hard drive. Keep in mind that this computer was built in 2001 I believe. But does this sound right or can I add additional power supply?
If you need anymore info about my computer let me know. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.
 
First of all if the card recommends a 300 watt power supply, you said you had 115-230v. That switch you are talking about is the voltage supply going to the power supply. In the USA the default is 115v. If you live overseas sometimes that can be set to 230 depending on the household voltage being delivered to your home. The video card needs a separate 6pin pci-express power connector. Most likely your power supply does not have one. I would recommend getting a brand name power supply that has at least 500w, corsair, thermaltake, pc power and cooling.

Geeksquad doesn't know there butt from a hole in the ground. They overcharge for everything they do. $200 just to remove malware.
 
(My friend told me he saw a Geek Squad employee on an FAQ site while he was fixing his computer... he didn't have to pay for the repair (lucky!))
 
John pretty much it the nail on the head with his answer. What kind of graphics card did you get it is AGP right so it probably doesn't even need a lot of power since all AGP graphics cards are pretty low performance and doesn't need much to run.
 
Well it said on the box for the graphics card that the extra power supply switch or whatever it is was available, and I was planning on getting it but then that lady told me not to and for some reason she didn't sound convincing.
 
That guy at geek squad should have asked some more questions. Like what power supply you have. Then he would have known if you could plug that card in or not.Just take the side panel off and have a look on the side of your power supply. It will normally have the wattage and amps label on it. That 115 and 230 switch should not be touched. I blew up my first PC thinking it was the power switch. :o

If you have a Pcie connection on your motherboard already (and it sounds like you do) I´d take the card back and change it for a 4670. A much better card and does´nt need a 6 pin connector.
 
Radeon HD 3650 AGP requires a 6 Pin Power Connector.

If your power supply doesn't have one, you'll need Molex to
6 pin adapter.

Radeon HD 3650 512MB AGP said:
300W or greater power supply recommended
Click to expand...

Most computers have at least a 300watt power supply, so it should
work without a psu upgrade.
 
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