New AGP card & PSU help

[jeggsy]

Currently running an oldish AGP based system and looking to update my graphics card as a final upgrade before I get a new system in a year or so.

Currently running the following spec:-

Abit NF7s V1.2 & AMD Athlon XP3000 CPU at stock speeds (Nforce2 chipset).
2x 512Mb Corsair PC3200's at stock settings.
Geforce 6800 256Mb AGP graphics card.
FSP 400-60PFN 400w PSU (+12v = 15.0A)
Windows XP Pro SP2 with latest updates.

I currently run games such as TOCA3, BF1942, FS2004 & will get FSX. I also run quite a bit of CAD so a descent graphics card is a must.

Was originally looking to get a 7600GT AGP as a replacement as I could get one of these fairley cheap and I wouldn't have to change my PSU due to it's low power requirements.

Obviously the ATI X1950 series cards are ruled out due to my PSU and I wanted to stick with Nvidia because I use my PC for CAD and the Nvidia drivers have better OpenGL performance than ATI's.

I would have liked the new XFX 7900GS card but after asking their Support team, my PSU wasn't up to the task. They say 28A on +12v rail.

Looked at the BFG 7800GS as that was a good price but again, after looking at their website my PSU might hold me back. Its says 400w or 20A on +12v rail.

Is the 7600GT the highest I can run with my PSU ???? Do you think I could risk running a 7800GS or a 7900GS ????

Any help would be great.


Cheers
Paul

 

[semi-pro waster]

You could try it I suppose, if it isn't capable then in theory no damage should be caused, the system will just shut down. My PC is supposed to be recommended for 20A on the 12v rail but my X-Pro 400w only claims to provide 15A or so (caveat to this story though is that subsequent revisions of the PSU changed the label so it is actually 18A or 20A as they underestimated).

 

[jeggsy]

Must admit to being a bit confused about these PSU requirements. I've seen on this site and others, that people have been running cards like the 7900GS on something like 350w PSU's and work fine.

My current 6800 card draws quite a bit of power because it's older technology. Looking at your graphics card sticky at the top of the thread, it shows that the 7800/7900 series only draws slightly more than my old 6800.

I would have thought that if I did get a 7800/7900 series card then it should work OK.

 

[jeggsy]

Decided to stick with getting a 7600GT. Cheaper, less power hungry for similar performance to a 7800GS.

Just noticed on OC that the Gainward 7600GT Golden Sample has now dropped to £82 inc vat.... Bargain !!!

 

[fivefive]

thought the 7900GS is only £10 more than the 7600??