Q: I'm running Windows XP and I'm upgrading my old graphics card (NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 440 with AGP8X,) to something that has a pixel shader 3.0 and i found this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121222 . I'm pretty sure that it'll work with my system except for my PSU. Right now I have only 250w and the new card needs 400w. I don't know much about PSU's but this is what my current one says: MODEL NO: ATX-250GU (P4) AC INPUT:115/230V~,6/3A,60/50Hz DC OUTPUT:250W +3.3V---14.0A(ORG),+5V---25.0A(RED),+12V---8.0A(YEL) +5VSB---2.0A(PURP),-5V---0.3A(WHI),12V---0.8A(BLU) P.G. SIGNAL (GRAY),GROUND (BLACK) FUSE RATING:6.3A,250V~ (+3.3V & +5V=135W Max) So i need to know what to make sure of in a new PSU before i buy it. Oh yea, my mobo is AMD Athlon 64 Processor 2800+ ~Thanks for the info about the wattage but what about the other stuff like 20 or 24 pins? I don't know much about it so i don't know how to ask.
A: I couldn't find anything more specific than you did regarding the 400W minimum wattage. As was suggested above, you'd be better off looking for something in the 500W-600W range with a amp rating of 20-25 amps on a 12V rail. That should be more than enough "juice" for your card. Be a little wary of low amp cards...they may not supply enough power for graphically intensive applications. EDIT: Regarding your motherboard pins, most current generation PSUs will come with a 20+4 plug meaning they will fit both 20 and 24 pin configurations. Your card likely has a 20 pin motherboard connector so you would be OK purchasing a PSU that states 20+4 main connector. Good luck!