Changing the graphic card

Hi everybody, and i beg your pardon for my poor english.
Some month ago i bought a HP a6380it (you can see it here:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/p...=3673481#),and
except for the graphic card (geforce 8400HD 256mb), i think it's a
great pc.
I would like to install a Geforce 9600GT or a 8800GT now, but i'm not
sure the power supply can bear it... The power supply is (as i read
it) a HIPRO HP-D3057F3P, and it's written on it:"don't exceed 268W"
and "max output 300W".
The other thing connected are obviously the mainboard, a barracuda
500gb 7200 rpm, a DVD-RW.

1. Do you think i can change the video card without changing the power
supply?
2. How do you calculate the amount of 'stress' of the power supply? Is
there a tool or a software out there that can tell it?

Thx in advance for the precious help!

"Gianluca" <gian.rossato@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:c8c2bbd9-0bee-46e8-8511-488e5288eb0b@y21g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
> Hi everybody, and i beg your pardon for my poor english.
> Some month ago i bought a HP a6380it (you can see it here:
> http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/p...=3673481#),and
> except for the graphic card (geforce 8400HD 256mb), i think it's a
> great pc.
> I would like to install a Geforce 9600GT or a 8800GT now, but i'm not
> sure the power supply can bear it... The power supply is (as i read
> it) a HIPRO HP-D3057F3P, and it's written on it:"don't exceed 268W"
> and "max output 300W".
> The other thing connected are obviously the mainboard, a barracuda
> 500gb 7200 rpm, a DVD-RW.
>
> 1. Do you think i can change the video card without changing the power
> supply?
> 2. How do you calculate the amount of 'stress' of the power supply? Is
> there a tool or a software out there that can tell it?
>
> Thx in advance for the precious help!

this power supply calculator
http://extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp
will give you an idea of your needs though it doesnt list details like the
exact amperage per rail.
PSU supply power in 3 forms or 'rails' - 12v (for most things) 5v and 3v

you will most certainly need a new PSU of around 450w supplying a healthy 30
amps on the 12v rail for a 8800GT

On Mon, 11 Aug 2008 22:45:05 -0700, Gianluca thoughfully wrote:

> Hi everybody, and i beg your pardon for my poor english. Some month ago
> i bought a HP a6380it (you can see it here:
> http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/prodinfoCategory?
lc=en&cc=uk&lang=en&dlc=en&product=3673481#),and
> except for the graphic card (geforce 8400HD 256mb), i think it's a great
> pc.
> I would like to install a Geforce 9600GT or a 8800GT now, but i'm not
> sure the power supply can bear it... The power supply is (as i read it)
> a HIPRO HP-D3057F3P, and it's written on it:"don't exceed 268W" and "max
> output 300W".
> The other thing connected are obviously the mainboard, a barracuda 500gb
> 7200 rpm, a DVD-RW.
>
> 1. Do you think i can change the video card without changing the power
> supply?
> 2. How do you calculate the amount of 'stress' of the power supply? Is
> there a tool or a software out there that can tell it?
>
> Thx in advance for the precious help!

I'm going to say no. I the GF8400HD you're using now is connected to
the psu by a connector then maybe if its not connected to the psu then
no.

Each manufacturer is slightly different but they should list the minimum
power supply required for their 8800GT and 9600GT cards. IIRC, many
recommend something like 350W. Otherwise you might experience ocassional
reboots or crashes.

On Mon, 11 Aug 2008 22:45:05 -0700 (PDT), Gianluca
<gian.rossato@gmail.com> wrote:

>Hi everybody, and i beg your pardon for my poor english.
>Some month ago i bought a HP a6380it (you can see it here:
>http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/p...=3673481#),and
>except for the graphic card (geforce 8400HD 256mb), i think it's a
>great pc.
>I would like to install a Geforce 9600GT or a 8800GT now, but i'm not
>sure the power supply can bear it... The power supply is (as i read
>it) a HIPRO HP-D3057F3P, and it's written on it:"don't exceed 268W"
>and "max output 300W".
>The other thing connected are obviously the mainboard, a barracuda
>500gb 7200 rpm, a DVD-RW.
>
>1. Do you think i can change the video card without changing the power
>supply?
>2. How do you calculate the amount of 'stress' of the power supply? Is
>there a tool or a software out there that can tell it?
>
>Thx in advance for the precious help!

You should replace the power supply.