Graphics Card Question.

I've been meaning to upgrade my graphics card for a time now, and I set my eyes on ATI HD 4550 512MB,  the problem is my power supply is only 300w. My question is do you think I should buy a new PSU or will this one be just fine ?

Also will I need to underclock if I keep my current power supply ?

Depends. The 4550 peaks at 155 watts, so unless your system is really low-power, I'd say you wouldn't get away with it. What else do you have in your system? You might sneak by with a CPU rated up to 95 watts.

And how exactly do I check for the power consumption of my CPU ?

Sorry for sounding like a total noob.

Follow these instructions to post a DxDiag so we can see your system stats. It'll tell about all the hardware you've got, as well as system manufacturer.

it should be fine, I have a standard dell vostro and I upgraded it from a 3450 to a 4670 which uses more power than the 4550. I have a e8400 wolfdale and 2 gigs of ram. As long as it doesn't require a 6 pin connector (4830 and above) it should be fine.

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System Information
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Time of this report: 8/11/2009, 00:41:57
       Machine name: Venoma3d
   Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.090206-1234)
           Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: DIXONSXP
       System Model: Ei 304
               BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
          Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.00GHz (2 CPUs)
             Memory: 958MB RAM
          Page File: 838MB used, 1473MB available
        Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
    DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
     DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.5512 32bit Unicode

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DxDiag Notes
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  DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
      Display Tab 1: No problems found.
        Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
          Music Tab: No problems found.
          Input Tab: No problems found.
        Network Tab: No problems found.

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DirectX Debug Levels
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Direct3D:    0/4 (n/a)
DirectDraw:  0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectPlay:  0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow:  0/6 (retail)

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Display Devices
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        Card name: ATI RADEON XPRESS 200 Series
     Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
        Chip type: ATI Radeon Xpress Series AGP (0x5A61)
         DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
       Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_5A61&SUBSYS_0C81105B&REV_00
   Display Memory: 64.0 MB
     Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
          Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
  Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
      Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
   Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6844 (English)
      DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
 Driver Date/Size: 8/1/2008 05:32:35, 311296 bytes
      WHQL Logo'd: Yes
  WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
              VDD: n/a
         Mini VDD: ati2mtag.sys
    Mini VDD Date: 8/1/2008 07:38:20, 3266560 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71EE2-1921-11CF-5769-8B2CA1C2CB35}
        Vendor ID: 0x1002
        Device ID: 0x5A61
        SubSys ID: 0x0C81105B
      Revision ID: 0x0000
      Revision ID: 0x0000
      Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_D ModeWMV8_B ModeWMV8_A ModeWMV9_B ModeWMV9_A
 Deinterlace Caps: {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
                   {552C0DAD-CCBC-420B-83C8-74943CF9F1A6}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                   {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
         Registry: OK
     DDraw Status: Enabled
       D3D Status: Enabled
       AGP Status: Enabled
DDraw Test Result: Not run
 D3D7 Test Result: Not run
 D3D8 Test Result: Not run
 D3D9 Test Result: Not run

Do you have PCI express slots? You current card looks like AGP, which is an older standard. You'd do fine with a 4550 in terms of power consumption, but you'd need a PCI express slot to put it in. AGP versions of the Radeon 4650 and 4670 are available, however. Example: www.newegg.com

So, you can't use a 4550, because you don't have the necessary slot on your motherboard. If you can't afford to upgrade to a board that has one, you can purchase an AGP 4650/70. Even with either of those, your 300 watt power supply would still do fine.

I opened up my PC and checked the slot when I first started looking for a new video card, I have a PCI-express slot. It specifically has written PCI-express x16 beside it so I'm pretty sure it is it. Also the my current card is integrated into my mother board so I have no idea what slot it is.

Ah, an integrated card. That's different. In that case, you are by all means capable of using the 4550. I calculated your wattage (with a few assumptions) to 198 watts. You'll be fine.

Good luck with it all. A 4550 will be a HUGE step up from that Xpress 200!

Thanks ever so much for the help.

Now I should enjoy TF2 properly without the need to play in DirectX8.