PSU Upgrade

Hi, first time poster here but long time reader.

Anyway my question is do I need to upgrade my power supply for a new video card I'm getting tomorrow.

My current PSU is a 250W Bestec ATX-250-12z

I'm currently using intergrated video (Nvidia Geforce 6150SE) and the card I am upgrading too is: XFX PVT86SYAFG GeForce 8400GS 512MB

If I do have to upgrade the power supply I obviously can't order one and have it arrive tomorrow, so my other question is, if in fact it does need a bigger power supply what would happen if I installed the video card on my current one just for the few days it takes for UPS to deliver the new one...if that makes any since...I mean would it blow the vid card or just cause my current PSU to fail?

The power supply I was looking at upgrading too if I have too is: COOLER MASTER eXtreme Power Plus 460W

Thanks in advance

 

What type of case is this going in? Is it a Dell, HP or other prebuilt PC? or is it a normal sized case? That old PSU sounds like some generic one used in prebuilts so im just wondering, though it does say it's ATX which would be AWESOME

Welcome! glad you finally decided to join the party here lol

 

It's a Compaq Presario SR5223WM Desktop PC

Just a cheap computer I bought at Wal-Mart during Black Friday, I thought it was a good deal lol

Heres a link to the page at HP if it helps any.

Compaq Presario SR5223WM Desktop PC

EDIT: oh and the support guy on HP told me its a standard ATX

 

If it is a standard ATX, you should have no problems installing a new PSU which is HIGHLY recommended for the new video card. Those Best-Tec PSU's are real piles of :crap They seldom last longer than 2 years, and even small power surges or sudden outages can kill them. You should be able to run the video card off of the 250w for the time being, just don't give the video any type of 'work out' or you run the chance of the PC acting all weird and possibly freezing or shutting down. There's no real risk of damaging any components though. Can't you buy a good PSU at your local PC store and save yourself some time and the shipping charges?

:wine Happy Holidays :dancer
and Welcome to MajorGeeks! :major

 

i highly recommend this PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153023

I was running the rig in my sig with this little champ and it handled it no problem. 5 star rating and over 1500 reviews...plus u get a good rebate. It should handle what you've got with ease. But the CM PSU u posted will work fine as well. Im just going from personal experience

 

Thank you, someone else also recommended that Thermaltake to me as well, so I guess I am going to go with that. I'm running the card on the 250 now, but I'll be replacing it soon. Unfourtanally we don't have a "pc store" where im from, I have to rely on the web lol, but newegg ships pretty quick so its no worry.

Thanks again and Happy Holidays