[kingalex]

Hi there,

I recieved at Nvidia GTX 460 graphics card for christmas however I am having a lot of problems in regards to getting it running.

I'm not quite sure how to check whether my PC fits the minimum requirments but after I installed the latest driver (260.99) the screen keeps flashing, which I suspect is because of my PSU (250w while the graphics card requires 400w).

Some quick information:

PSU - Bestec 250w
OS - Vista 32bit
Motherboard - Asus MZN68-LA
Computer - Compaq Presario SR5610F

Some quick notes: when putting the card in I have two leftover adapters (they have 3 pins each) and I can't find anywhere to connect them.

If you could help me troubleshoot the problem or recommend another card that would work better with my system that would be great!

I wanted to upgrade the card to play WoW.


Sincerely,
kingalex

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Hi kingalex
Do not attempt to run your new card with the present PSU it will ruin the card and possibly other components.
Bestec PSUs are known to be one of the poorest quality PSUs ever made and they can cause serious damage when they pop, including taking the MB, Ram, CPU and any add on cards with them, upgrade your PSU to a minimum of something like this http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817371016

[phillpower2]

Hi kingalex
Do not attempt to run your new card with the present PSU it will ruin the card and possibly other components.
Bestec PSUs are known to be one of the poorest quality PSUs ever made and they can cause serious damage when they pop, including taking the MB, Ram, CPU and any add on cards with them, upgrade your PSU to a minimum of something like this http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817371016

[iammykyl]

Hi Kingalax,

Your suspicion is correct. The psu needs to be upgrades. 400w is the minimum required PSU. To give a little headroom I recommend one with a little higher wattage like this, > http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817371016 Note that it has separate rails and is modular so you only have to use the cables you require for your system..

I was unable to find the exact brand for the one installed in your computer,, would most likely be a cheapo brand. So you will have to open the case and find the exact size of the PSU as it may not be a standard ATX but a mATX.

The 2 adaptors you have left over are for connecting different types of monitors.

Edited by iammykyl, 26 December 2010 - 03:21 AM.

[iammykyl]

Pipped me again, sorry, will have to check the board before uploading my posts.

[Mike]

Thanks for the replies!

Speaking for kingalex:

Does it make sense to upgrade the PSU or opt for another graphics card? The purpose for the upgrade was so that he could play WoW with better graphics; I believe he is currently running NVIDIA 6xxx SE.

If upgrading the PSU is the best option, is it very difficult to do on your own?

Once again thank you for the replies.

Sincerely,
Mike

[phillpower2]

Does it make sense to upgrade the PSU or opt for another graphics card?

Google Bestec PSUs and you will find some horror stories of the damage they can do when they go, it is a case of when they go not if, the present PSU is not capable of powering any modern replacement add on video card and especially cards capable of supporting graphic intensive gaming or 3D designing.

If upgrading the PSU is the best option, is it very difficult to do on your own?

Upgrading the PSU before any other upgrading is the only option I`m afraid, it is not a difficult task, with a little bit of research to gain an insight of how it is done, a Phillips screwdriver and 30 - 60 minutes of your time, here is a guide kingalex and others may find helpful http://tech.blorge.c...-with-pictures/ and don`t forget the guys on the forum will be happy to assist should it be required.
I have done a bit more research on the Compaq Presario SR5610F and found the details for a replacement PSU (namely the dimensions of the PSU) here http://www.cputopia....q-presario.html I don`t know the quality of the PSU at the link and I am not recommending it (a free upgrade from 250 to 480W is not usually a sign of quality IMO) I only wanted to show that the PSU I can now recommend will fit in the space available whereas the previously recommended Antec may not http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817139019 or http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817139018 (based in order on price comparison).
Hope this helps and if we can assist further give us a shout.


NB: When considering either building a new rig or upgrading your present one, always put together a list of your potential components and then use a PSU calculator such as this http://www.corsair.c...er/default.aspx to get the right power output PSU for your system, no purchase is necessary just make a note of the recommendations.

[iammykyl]

As lots of dimension are in mm, here is a link to a conversion table, > http://www.newegg.co...X12V / MicroATX

The 500w or 600w good quality PSUs on this page would do the Job and might just squeeze into your case but you will need to do some very careful research before ordering, > http://www.newegg.co...X12V / MicroATX

[Mike]

Thank you for all the advice and help!

I'll let kingalex know.

Sincerely,
Mike

[phillpower2]

No worries Mike, if we can save one single person computer meltdown it is worth it, below is a link to respected PSU forum JonnyGURU.com with an insight into Bestec PSUs http://www.jonnyguru...=Story&reid=154