How do I find out if I have this....

[Ferrari308guy]

A 475W PCI Express

[AMDDDA]

http://techreport.com/r.x/psus-0907/pcie-connectors.jpg

if you have those cables you're set, as those are the 8 pin and 6 pin PCIE power supply cables needed for the GTX 280.

[Slotback]

Open up your case and look at the power supply. On the site it's got ratings on it... is it higher than 475 watt? look at the +12v... is it higher than 26amp? If both of them are true then you're almost there... If it doesn't have ratings on it, then google it.

GTX 280 needs an 8 pin and a 6 pin connector. Check if you have them. Picture in AlexanderDz post.

[Ferrari308guy]

Ok, thanks for the help. Before I open up my computer, can you tell me generally where I will find the power supple? Is it where the power cable goes into the computer? Or is it different for every comptuer?

[MWISimmer]

Yes, it's where the kettle lead plugs into the back of your PC.. it's usually held to the case by 4 screws.

[Ferrari308guy]

Well, things are looking pretty bleak, looked at the numbers on the side of the box, and none of them are what I need, couldn't finad any markings about amps though...

Also couldn't find and of those plugs lying around inside, would they be inside the power box? or just tied down somewhere. There was what looked like a 4pin plug with a cover on it that was just there, but no 6 or 8 pin.

[Ferrari308guy]

Looks like my power system has a 305W max output...that really doesn't give me anything....I don't even know if I can upgrade to anything now above me 8600gtx...

[Slotback]

305 watts is usually not enough for even the most basic videocards. :S Sorry. You should get a new one.

[Ferrari308guy]

Yeah, that's what I was thinking, I really don't know how I am managing to power all this stuff. What would happen if I got a 450 watt video card with a 305 watt power supply? I take it that it can't be done right?

How simple is it to upgrade? Just buy a new one? Or are there compatablity things I need to be sure of? Becuase I was thinking of just ruinning out and buying a 500 watt power supply so I can run this new card....

Also, about the 6 and 8 pin plugs. Where would you get those? Do they come with the power supply?

Any help would be geat,
Ferrari

[eno]

What is the computer type? Is your motherboard ATX ?

You may have a problem if you have a DELL but changing a PSU is easy enough as long as you have the space in your case (eeeee that rhymes).

I would also suggest that you get something bigger than 500watts to power your card. As for the plug types they should come with the PSU.

[Ferrari308guy]

Well...I have a Dell, and I believe my motherboard is made by them, I could get you the model number if you want if that helps any.

Could you recommend a power supply if possible?

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3255392&CatId=1079

This is the power supply I was looking at, but I could go bigger if you think so. I was looking through the majority of the power supplies they had, but I am only seeing the 8 pin connector on most of them, no 6 pin (if you scroll down it shows a list of connectors.) Unless that last one marked PCI-E is what they call a 6 pin (I can see it has 6 pins on it

[eno]

Another question ........... what type of Dell?

With it being a Dell you may not have a standard ATX setup  and therefore if you change out the PSU you may need a ATX-Dell converter cable. If you don't have a standard ATX motherboard and you plug a standard ATX PSU in you'll blow both the board and PSU.

[Slotback]

What model Dell is it?

[Ferrari308guy]

I probably should put these things in my siggy one of these days...

Sorry, I know I should have posted this earlier:

Dell Demension E520
Pentium D
Duel Core Processor 820 (2.8Ghz)
3GB RAM
Nvidia 8600GTS

Hope that's all you need  :)

[eno]

Here's what I've found....... It seems to have a standard 24pin atx setup comparing these two pages.

http://pinouts.ru/Power/atx_v2_pinout.shtml

http://support.euro.dell.com/support/ed ... #wp1053345

There only seems to be one difference in that on the dell ATX connector pin 20 isn't connected. So it looks like you'll be able to use any ATX PSU.

The problem that might arise is that a higher wattage PSU will be bigger than your current one ..... and if that is the case then a new case, with all the problems that might cause, will be required.