Video Card & Power Supply question

[Happy_Squirrel]

Hey y'all,

Got a computer gaming/hardware question for y'all. I'm thinking about upgrading my presario with a new video card (agp). This is what I think I'm gonna' get:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3084628&CatId=318

Anyway, I've got a problem. The system requirements spec recommends at least a 400W power supply. My max power out is 250W. So, I've got 3 options:

1. Get the card and hope that my power supply is enough to run it without too much performance loss.
2. Get a different card that needs less power (and probably sacrifice performance).
3. Get the card and buy a new power supply.

Any thoughts on what to do? I'd like to do the third option, but I've never replaced a power supply before, so that raises new questions such as:

a. How hard is it to replace a power supply?
b. Are all ATX power supplies interchangable? If not, how do I pick the right power supply?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

HS

[Meatplow]

Get the power supply.

Underpowered systems fail, simple. I recently ran into lots of trouble with my computer, it was lagging like all hell and it took 10 min to "warm up" before it turned itself on after i pressed the button to do so.

I had no idea what was going on but i did some research, and it was my PSU. I was running a 250 W when my computer needed 400 W + for all it's components, and ever since i got it i had trouble with it. After a couple of years it just died, so i borrowed a friend's 500 W PSU out of his tower and installed it in mine, and it worked. I was shocked how much the processing of my computer had improved, i had never had it running that fast since i bought it. That day i bought a new PSU (Antec Earthwatts 500 W, well recommended) and my computer has been running perfect ever since.

It's not hard to replace, when you take out your current PSU note down on a piece of paper all the connections you've removed. Unscrew it then put the other one in with all the connections back in the right places you just removed, theres nothing else to it. All ATX power supplies are interchangeable i've been told.

[Happy_Squirrel]

Meatplow, thanks for the reply, it was very informative.

I think I'm going to take your advice and upgrade to a new power supply.

[Meatplow]

No worries. These were some 500 W PSU units that were at a reasonable price suggested at www.techsupportforum.com, very helpful site. They are in $AU currency though so see how much they would cost local to you. These are top quality and run at true power unlike some cheaper models.

Antec Earthwatts 500W ($129):
http://www.i-tech.com.au/products/33...er_Supply.aspx

SilverStone Element 500W ($119, $110):
http://www.digitan.com.au/product.ph...cat=878&page=2
http://www.i-tech.com.au/products/78..._20_24pin.aspx

SilverStone Strider 560W ($129):
http://www.i-tech.com.au/products/78..._PSU__SLI.aspx

CoolerMaster iGreen 500W ($119, $119) :
http://www.sltech.com.au/eshop/produ...roducts_id=766
http://www.pcmaniacs.com.au/product_...oducts_id=3464

You probably should post in the computer help thread next time though.