8800 GT Upgrade - Do I Need More Power?

[Russian5]

Greetings, any help would be appreciated.

I have a Dell e521 system, which I believe comes with a 305w psu (which, from what I've read performs well for its rating).

Athlon duo core 3800+
4 gigs corsair DDR2

Anywhow, I've just upgraded the video card from a 7600GT to a superclocked 8800GT.

Install went great, although I had to disconnect one of my optical drives to use the cord to get power to the video card. I have enough connections but it wasnt long enough when connected to the optical drive, just purchased a longer cable for 2.99.

3d Mark score jumped from 3400 to about 7600, windows vista rating are all at 5.9 aside from the processor. Running COD4 smoothly at all high settings in SP with no issues. I really have two questions.

1) Do I need more power? I've never installed a power supply and would avoid it unless the consensus is that it'd add 10%+ performance to the card.

2) How much do you think my cpu is bottlenecking my performance? Its obviously the weakest point in the system. How much would an upgrade help for gaming? If I did upgrade to the item below, would I need more power after that upgrade?

For instance, how much would this improve it?:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16819103194

Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

B

Found this manual, I believe this is the power supply I currently have.

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dime521/en/SM_EN/techov.htm#wp1060548

Any suggestions on what I should purchase (hoping to run over to microcenter tonight) would be appreciated.

[Scinto]

think you need a new Power Supply, a 500w should be more than enough,

[Cantina_Fly]

Just installed my 8800GT yesterday.

Athlon 64 X2 4400+ @2.5Ghz
2GB OCZ Plat.
500W Seasonic PSU

This was upgrading from a 7900GTX. Your CPU should not be a problem unless you're running at a low resolution where the GPU doesn't need to do much. I played all last night at 1600x1200 and all the eye candy. I only dipped down into the 30-40FPS land during air strikes and such.

For your PSU, look at the label on it that has the specs. Specifically the +12v rail. You want to see how many amps it can deliver. If it has multiple listings for +12v (you have more then one 12v rail) then add them together. You want at least 34 amps total.

Since the card doesn't need much juice to display your Windows desktop, it could look like it's running fine, but when you seriously stress it, your system will crash.

[PvtGomerPyle]

What does your video card need in wattage to run well??? Most cards give a min for the power supply. IF you buy a new PS it has to fit the Dell as you can't just buy one off the shelf and slap it in. Dell's are funny that way. There are companies out there that specialize in PS for Dell computers.
Will your motherboard handle the new processor? Same socket and bios to run it.
Check all these out first before you buy.

[Russian5]

Yeah, I ran COD4 fine with all high settings. 1280 x 960 resolution I think. I have a 22" LCD.

I think I'll pick up a 500W psu... seems like the right thing to do to be on the safe side. It will most likely increase performance and avoid damaging the card.

I've never been to a Microcenter store... they should have some good psus in stock?

[Cantina_Fly]

A good PSU won't "increase" performance, so much as give you more stability. And a 500W PSU running at 60-70% load is much cooler then a 350W running at 90-100%.

[Russian5]

psu

I did a bit of research and it looks like the e521 is a bit different from many Dell systems, in that I *can* actually buy an off the shelf psu and slap it in. Most of their other systems are not like this, but the e521 does not use a proprietary psu. From what I've read...

[PvtGomerPyle]

Just be sure you can return the power supply if it doesn't fit in the case. That's the biggest concern. Also check the documentation on your Video card as most recommend that it be on it own power connector not shared with anything else.

[Scinto]

assuming this is the place;

http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0245606

[PvtGomerPyle]

Here's a source that handles PS for Dell computers

http://www.pcpower.com/products/power_supplies/dell/

What are the specs on your video card? Make, memory etc???

I just randomly checked on a EVGA GeForce 8800 GT Superclocked Edition 512MB card and minimum PS recommended was a 400 watt

[Russian5]

Scinto: Yep, thats the place.

Gomer: Thats the card I have, spot on.

Thanks for the PC Power link... looks as tho this would be the one to get.

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0241038

[PvtGomerPyle]

Check out this link again as they are $10 cheaper for the same PS

http://www.pcpower.com/products/power_supplies/dell/

[Russian5]

Thanks for all the help.

If Microcenter doesn't have it at the store I'll order from PC Power. Thanks!

[PvtGomerPyle]

Any time.... Glad to help. Dell's can be funny.....
Good Luck

[TOOL-Gambit]

I have the same card and I have a 500w power supply because my old PS overheated too much.