Risk putting a pcie graphics card on 250W Psu?

[Gipo]

As above really!

Running an HP system with onboard graphics, its a 250W PSU currently running 2x hard disks, DVD drive.

Would it die if I tried to upgrade the graphics on it! Just need something that supports the latest shader model, as my old Shuttle and X800 XTPE couldn't support it - haven't been able to play mass effect since I got it!!!

[pharm]

As above really!

Running an HP system with onboard graphics, its a 250W PSU currently running 2x hard disks, DVD drive.

Would it die if I tried to upgrade the graphics on it! Just need something that supports the latest shader model, as my old Shuttle and X800 XTPE couldn't support it - haven't been able to play mass effect since I got it!!!

If your CPU isn't too grunty then you should be able to stay within the power envelope. You might run into trouble feeding enough current to one of the rails though: That 250W isn't going to be evenly available across all of the 5v/12v supply rails.

[Gipo]

I was thinking that.

Best save for a beefier PSU methinks! Though with a house purchase on the way, may be tough!

Although... I do have 56 quid in Paypal - enough for a better psu and decent(ish) 2nd hand PCie card?

[pharm]

I was thinking that.

Best save for a beefier PSU methinks! Though with a house purchase on the way, may be tough!

Although... I do have 56 quid in Paypal - enough for a better psu and decent(ish) 2nd hand PCie card?

Well, a Radeon 4350 or 4550 only pulls 20W max (they're mostly passively cooled). Not going to win any performance records, but will still outperform any integrated graphcs excepting possibly the latest AMD 3200/3300 chipsets. £30 new!

You *might* be able to manage a 4670 (60W max), but that's going to depend a lot on the rest of the system.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Unless your Shuttle is an AGP one it should handle an HD4670 easily.