Need a graphics card!

Why is nothing easy these days?

My PC
Processor: Intel Pentium Dual Core E6300, 2.8Ghz, 2MB Cache, 1066Mhz FSB
Hard Drive: 500 GB SATA 2 HDD, 7200RPM, 16MB Cache
Memory: 2 GB DDR2 800Mhz
Graphics: Intel® GMA 3100
Optical Drive: 22x Super Multi DVDRW
Connectivity: 6 x USB 2.0 ports (2 Front)
10/100 Ethernet LAN
1 set 5.1 channel Audio jacks (3 jacks),1 x PCI Express x 16 Slot, 1 x PCI Express x1 Slot, 2 x PCI Bus Slots
2 x PS2 Ports (Keyboard and Mouse), 1 x Parallel Port, 1 x Serial Port, 1 x VGA Port
Operating system: Windows® 7 Home Premium
255w PSU

I am after a £40-60 graphics card & I am totally confused by what is out there. As the PC is new I just want a new gpu that is W7 complaint and works with a PSU running at 255w. I have seen suggestions on other forums about this http://www.ebuyer.com/product/173705
anyone with any other suggestions?

255W?

unfortunately yes..

Despite what they say in the comments, it's not worth the risk. An overloaded PSU will fail on one rail and spike the others. If it doesn't have the right circuit protection built in it'll trash components on your motherboard. Ebuyers value PSUs are dirt cheap anyway.

There's a fanless version of that card available that I thought might be more suitable for a lower powered PSU but even for that a 400W is recommended by Sapphire
http://www1.sapphiretech.com/mt/products/products_ov...
Looks like time for a new PSU if you need a discrete GPU but avoid ebuyer value PSUs and other cheap brands,
This one is a bit of a bargain at the moment
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/152505

Regards,
Steve

In reply to a post by blfamily:

Why is nothing easy these days?

My PC
Processor: Intel Pentium Dual Core E6300, 2.8Ghz, 2MB Cache, 1066Mhz FSB
Hard Drive: 500 GB SATA 2 HDD, 7200RPM, 16MB Cache
Memory: 2 GB DDR2 800Mhz
Graphics: Intel® GMA 3100
Optical Drive: 22x Super Multi DVDRW
Connectivity: 6 x USB 2.0 ports (2 Front)
10/100 Ethernet LAN
1 set 5.1 channel Audio jacks (3 jacks),1 x PCI Express x 16 Slot, 1 x PCI Express x1 Slot, 2 x PCI Bus Slots
2 x PS2 Ports (Keyboard and Mouse), 1 x Parallel Port, 1 x Serial Port, 1 x VGA Port
Operating system: Windows® 7 Home Premium
255w PSU

I am after a £40-60 graphics card & I am totally confused by what is out there. As the PC is new I just want a new gpu that is W7 complaint and works with a PSU running at 255w. I have seen suggestions on other forums about this http://www.ebuyer.com/product/173705
anyone with any other suggestions?

It isn't a dell compact model is it ? regardless if it is nor not can you link us to the model of the computer u have brought.

In reply to a post by 12eason:

Despite what they say in the comments, it's not worth the risk. An overloaded PSU will fail on one rail and spike the others. If it doesn't have the right circuit protection built in it'll trash components on your motherboard. Ebuyers value PSUs are dirt cheap anyway.

I doubt it need 400watts, they go above what the card really needs, but I still would not risk it. power supplies are pretty cheap, even a good make these days, but if the computer uses when of those compact power supplies, then that could be expensive.

I agree with the OP it is all so complicated now.

Saying all that, I currently have a power hungry P4 ht with a ridiculously hungry x1950pro card from the 80s or something, along with 4 harddrives and some PCI cards. I was running them all off a 350w PSU for a year or so before the onboard sound started to fail. I then had to add an old soundblaster platinum Ex, complete with external box and secondary card. That made it bluescreen randomly, but it lasted a good few months before it started to annoy me. Then I took a 150W PSU out of another old box, literally hammered it into two of the 5.25" drive bays and spliced the motherboard power sensors.

It's very noisy atm.

re:Then I took a 150W PSU out of another old box, literally hammered it into two of the 5.25" drive bays and spliced the motherboard power sensors.

It's very noisy atm.

Could I refer you to the bottom line of kwikbreak's sig.

If you can't fix it with a hammer you've got an electrical problem.

I have an ATI HD4670 which you can get for around £50, runs all the latest games no probs, and that's at resolution of 1920x1080.