Member Avatar for Johnnyone

I would like to upgrade my power supply, in my HP Pavilion a630n, which has a 300 watt unit from factory.So I can upgrade to a good graphics card. I have a 8500GT with passive cooling right now, I would like to upgrade to a 8800GT if Possible.
Thanks John

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This addresses ’s plan to move from a passive 8500GT to an 8800GT and follows ’s suggestion to estimate power needs first. The upgrade is often possible, but check three things before buying a card: (1) whether the power supply has a dedicated PCIe 6‑pin lead, (2) whether a full‑length 8800GT will physically fit, and (3) whether the PSU’s +12V capacity is sufficient — many 8800GT cards expect a 6‑pin connector and vendors/NVIDIA recommended roughly a 450W-class supply with healthy +12V amperage. (tomshardware.com)

Many a630n systems used a small OEM Bestec/HIPRO 300W unit (HP part numbers such as 5187-6114 / HP-D3057F3). Those OEM supplies commonly provide ATX, 4‑pin 12V, Molex and SATA lines but no native PCIe 6‑pin plug, so you will often need a different PSU to power an 8800GT. Also note card length: some 8800GT boards are up to ~228 mm (9 in), so measure the distance from the PCIe slot to the drive cage/front bezel before purchasing a long card. (cwc-group.com)

Practical checklist: open the case and look at the PSU label and cables (is there a 6‑pin PCIe lead?). Measure clearance from the slot to the nearest obstruction. Confirm the exact 8800GT board you plan to buy (some low‑power models draw only from the slot). If the OEM supply lacks a 6‑pin or the card is too long, the safest path is a quality replacement PSU that fits the chassis and supplies at least one PCIe 6‑pin plus adequate +12V current; some HP cases require an OEM‑style replacement so check the part dimensions. ()

Do not rely on Molex->PCIe or SATA->PCIe adapters as a long‑term solution — they are a common source of overheating and failures and are not recommended by experienced builders. If replacing the PSU is not feasible, pick a low‑power card that needs no external connector. Use a wattage calculator as a first estimate, then verify connectors and clearance before you buy. (forums.tomshardware.com)

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Member Avatar for madoverclocker

okay, that sounds like an awesome plan.... what is your question?

if you are wondering how large a psu you are going to need, newegg can help you out.

Member Avatar for Johnnyone

My Question, How do I know my computer can take it ?

Member Avatar for madoverclocker

can take what? the power supply? well, is there enough room in the case? that's the only real prerequisite for upgrading a power supply. if you are wondering how much power you'll need for the gpu, use the link i supplied to calculate how much power you'll need to run the 8800gt.

if a component inside your computer is rated to use a specific amount of power, it will use that specific amount of power and that is it. if you psu generates extra power, it will simply hold that power in reserve until it's needed. upgrading your psu will not cause your computer to go up in smoke (if you install it correctly).

Member Avatar for jilo001

you can ebay,amazon or buy

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