Graphics Card Help

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oliverdrums

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I'm trying to install a Radeon HD3870 into my PC but I don't know what to do :(

Do I have to connect it up seperately to the PSU? It came with a wire in the box but doesn't say what its for (I checked the manual).

Also, it states the minimum power supply needed is 350W - what will happen if I run it on a 300W supply?

Thanks
 
It will go into the PCI-E slot as normal, but it will require the additional power supply as well. The cable you got will have a black 6 pin connector on one end and two four pin connections on the other.

The black connector goes into the graphics card and the 2 four pin connectors will plug into two of the same connectors that are on the power supply.

That card will require upto 225watts of power itself, so if you are only using a 300watt supply then you aren't going to have alot left as your processor will use at least 65 and then theres the hard drive and dvd etc.

If you are not sure don't do it, get someone who does.
 
As Waynos says your 300W PSU is really pushing it a bit - but give it a go and see, but I suspect when you start running intensive games its not going to cope.
 
Thanks for your help.

I think I'll wait to get more power before I try it. If I break this PC my girlfriend will kill me!!

Am I right in thinking installing a power supply is a lot more complicated than a graphics card?

Also, are there different types (the equivalent of AGP/PCI-E)?

Cheers again

EDIT Final thing - does anyone know what the 'Cross Fire' bit is for?
 
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PSU's are pretty easy to install, its just a matter of unplugging the cables of the old one from the motherboard/devices, removing the retaining screws to the case and removing - installation is the reverse.


If you give me the spec of your PC - motherboard/processor/attached hardware etc - I will be more than happy to recommend one to you.

Basically CrossFire is where 2 of the same ATi graphics cards are installed together on the motherboard - you need a motherboard and cards that support it.
 
Thanks again for helping out.

My computer specs are as follows,

Dell Vostro™ 200 MT

Base
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo E4500 Processor (2.20GHz,800MHz,2MB cache)

Memory
2048MB 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [2x1024]

Keyboard
Dell™ Entry Quietkey USB Keyboard - UK/Irish (QWERTY)

Monitor
Dell™ 19" Value Wide Flat Panel (E198WFP) - UK/Irish

Video Card
128MB ATI® Radeon™ HD 2400 Pro graphics card

Hard Drive
500GB (7200rpm) Serial ATA Hard Drive with 16MB DataBurst™ cache

Floppy Drives and Additional Storage Devices
No Floppy Drive

Microsoft Operating System
Genuine Windows Vista&#174 Home Premium - English

Mouse
Dell 2 Button USB Optical Mouse

Modem
No Modem

Optical Devices
16x DVD +/- RW Drive

Sound Cards
Integrated 7.1 Channel High Definition Audio
 
A nice Corsair VX 450W PSU would be more than adequate for your needs.


£44 at Scan :thumb:
 
Excellent - I'll order one on Monday and let you know how I get on!

As a thank you I can send you Half-Life 2 : Episode 1, all you need to do is register at www.steamgames.com and I can give you the game as a gift.

Back to the graphics card now...

It has the two Molex connectors that need to be plugged into the PSU (that Waynos_Face mentioned) but both plugs only have three wires/pins in them - shouldn't it have four?
 
Nope, they can in fact just have 2 to work for some devices - no need to worry anyway as you won't need to use that adapter with the Corsair PSU.....it has a direct PCI-E power lead that fits straight to the 6-pin connector on the card :thumb:
 
Hello!

We have success... Sort of.

I got the card and the PSU installed and working but having driver issues.

Do I have to delete the display driver before I install the new one?

When I do delete it Vista automatically starts installing a new driver.

Finally, I'm trying to install the Catalyst Suite straight from ATI - should I be installing something on the CD first or is it ok to go straight for the update?

Thanks yet again
 
No don't delete any drivers.


1. start menu - control panel - device manager - display adaptors- double click on hd3870- update driver- automatically update.

This should install 8.4 drivers which are the newest.

2. Just put the cd in and click on ATI Catalyst, it doesn't matter if you get it from the cd or the site, cd is just easier.
 
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