(Too long; didn't read? Look at bottom of post)
Hey guys,
First things first, it is better for me to say this: I'm an absolute beginner when it comes to hardware stuffs, so please treat me like how you would treat idiots or stupid people.
Now back to the topic: I'm currently using a Dell Inspiron 580 that's prebuilt with an Intel Core i5 (i5-650 @ 3.2 GHz) and an nVidia GeForce 310. I'm not very satisfied with the latter, so I'm planning to upgrade the thing with a GeForce GTX 550 Ti, a not-so-bad graphics card in my opinion (and not-so-expensive, too).
My question is that, based from what I've read (and luckily understood), will I need to upgrade my PSU as well? The PSU that comes with the Dell Inspiron 580 is quite a cheap one; it doesn't even have supplementary power connections (the 550 Ti needs the PCI-e 6-pin one), but which PSU am I going to get?
I've used some PSU watts calculators on the Internet, and I think I'm going to need a 600-watt PSU or so in order to power the graphics card. From which PSU brand should I get though? Just asking for clarification, because I've seen cases where people got their motherboards fried when their PSUs failed, and obviously I don't want mine to end up that way too.
Again, I'm an idiot and a know-nothing. Please have mercy.
Thanks in advance.
P/S: If you think my graphics card choice is poor and stupid, please do suggest me another one. I'm only looking for good performance and graphics without much hassle and money.
TL;DR: Am upgrading my graphics card to nVidia GeForce GTX 550 Ti; will the installation be easy, or will I need something else like a newer PSU? My current PSU only outputs 300 watts, or so I've read, and the card requires higher (400W minimum), AND a 6-pin power connector, which my current PSU doesn't have.
Hey guys,
First things first, it is better for me to say this: I'm an absolute beginner when it comes to hardware stuffs, so please treat me like how you would treat idiots or stupid people.
Now back to the topic: I'm currently using a Dell Inspiron 580 that's prebuilt with an Intel Core i5 (i5-650 @ 3.2 GHz) and an nVidia GeForce 310. I'm not very satisfied with the latter, so I'm planning to upgrade the thing with a GeForce GTX 550 Ti, a not-so-bad graphics card in my opinion (and not-so-expensive, too).
My question is that, based from what I've read (and luckily understood), will I need to upgrade my PSU as well? The PSU that comes with the Dell Inspiron 580 is quite a cheap one; it doesn't even have supplementary power connections (the 550 Ti needs the PCI-e 6-pin one), but which PSU am I going to get?
I've used some PSU watts calculators on the Internet, and I think I'm going to need a 600-watt PSU or so in order to power the graphics card. From which PSU brand should I get though? Just asking for clarification, because I've seen cases where people got their motherboards fried when their PSUs failed, and obviously I don't want mine to end up that way too.
Again, I'm an idiot and a know-nothing. Please have mercy.
Thanks in advance.
P/S: If you think my graphics card choice is poor and stupid, please do suggest me another one. I'm only looking for good performance and graphics without much hassle and money.
TL;DR: Am upgrading my graphics card to nVidia GeForce GTX 550 Ti; will the installation be easy, or will I need something else like a newer PSU? My current PSU only outputs 300 watts, or so I've read, and the card requires higher (400W minimum), AND a 6-pin power connector, which my current PSU doesn't have.