Which ATI Card for a P4 2.5, w/ low Power Requirments

[Andy]

I have a P4 2.5, and 512 megs of ram. I'm in need of a new video
card. I have no experience with ATI cards, but want to give them a
try. My other problem is my power supply is only 250 watts. Should I
just wait until I can replace the power supply and get a better video
card, or is there an ATI model that will still work ok? Mostly into
FPS, (not that many though) Flight Sims, and Racing. (NR2003 mostly)
Thanks,
Andy

 

[Bill]

I have the same setup except 1GB RAM and went with the ATI9600XT. No power
connection required and installation was a snap. I use Flight Sim 2004 for
gaming exclusively and am pleased with the card. Only thing is when looking
left and right from the 2D cockpit the repaint/draw is somewhat slow.

Bill

 

[Buffalo]

Bill, the power comes from the PSU.
I think you missed it.
He should definately upgrade his PSU first.

 

[Bill]

Yes I understand and knew that. My point is with a 250W PSU you can use the
9600XT with no problem and no need to upgrade the PSU. The 9600XT does not
require a power connection or PSU better than 250W. Other high end cards
recommend 350WPSU and do require a power connection to the PSU

If he isnt ready or willing to upgrade the PSU then the 9600XT is a good
choice.
Hope I explained it better.
Bill

 

[Andy]

Yes I understand and knew that. My point is with a 250W PSU you can use the
9600XT with no problem and no need to upgrade the PSU. The 9600XT does not
require a power connection or PSU better than 250W. Other high end cards
recommend 350WPSU and do require a power connection to the PSU

If he isnt ready or willing to upgrade the PSU then the 9600XT is a good
choice.
Hope I explained it better.
Bill

Thanks Bill. That was the way I understood it. (that the 9600XT
doesn't require power from the power supply.) I still might just wait
and upgrade the PSU anyway, then opt for one of the higher end ATI
cards. I just don't want to "waste" my money on a video card that is
also going to be limited by my CPU. (P4 2.5)
Thanks again,
Andy

 

[Bill]

Thanks Bill. That was the way I understood it. (that the 9600XT
doesn't require power from the power supply.) I still might just wait
and upgrade the PSU anyway, then opt for one of the higher end ATI
cards. I just don't want to "waste" my money on a video card that is
also going to be limited by my CPU. (P4 2.5)
Thanks again,
Andy

Thats a good approach Andy. I see too many people getting high end cards for
under powered CPU's as well as PSU's and then complain.

Good luck

Bill

 

[Buffalo]

Thanks Bill. That was the way I understood it. (that the 9600XT
doesn't require power from the power supply.) I still might just wait
and upgrade the PSU anyway, then opt for one of the higher end ATI
cards. I just don't want to "waste" my money on a video card that is
also going to be limited by my CPU. (P4 2.5)
Thanks again,
Andy

All components in the PC draw their power from the PSU, except for the PSU
itself.
Does the 9600XT draw power from wall socket?

 

[Bill]

All components in the PC draw their power from the PSU, except for the PSU
itself.
Does the 9600XT draw power from wall socket?

No it draws it from the PSU but you DONT need to run a separate power
connector like the other high end cards...thats a little wire with
connectors on both ends..one runs from the card and the other to the PSU . I
can draw a diagram if it would help. And like I said it doesnt need more
than a 250W PSU.

 

[Buffalo]

No it draws it from the PSU but you DONT need to run a separate power
connector like the other high end cards...thats a little wire with
connectors on both ends..one runs from the card and the other to the PSU . I
can draw a diagram if it would help. And like I said it doesnt need more
than a 250W PSU.

That all depends on how much the other devices draw and what voltage bus the
vid card draws from.

I know about the separate connectorused to take the load off the MB and
supply more power than the MB transformers or circuity can, if needed).

Some MB's draw a lot off their 5v bus and convert it to other voltages.

That 250w PSU is probably too small, then again, you may be correct.

He should probably get a PSU with at least 30amp on the +5.0v bus and 15amps
minimum on the +12.0v bus.

Either way, he will make up his own mind.