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Raptor 001
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March 6th, 2009 00:00
8600 GTS Not Receiving Enough Power
Hello Everyone,
I have recently updated some drivers to the NVIDIA 180.84 Drivers, specifically designed for running Grand Theft Auto IV PC better. I restarted my computer when it prompted me to, and after I logged in, I got the following message.
"Your NVIDIA Graphics Card is not recieving sufficient power. As a result, the graphics card has lowered its performance to a level that allows continued safe operation.
To remedy the problem, ensure that your NVIDIA graphics card has the supplemental power connector attached."
I have posted this in some other forums, and they have said that if I wanted to keep playing GTA IV, I would have to get a new graphics card and a PSU to go with it. Is there any way to fix this without having to buy an ATI Radeon HD 4850 and a 500 Watt PSU. Apparently, Dell are notorious for for making machines that will only just run the parts in it, with their budget PSU's. Specifications Below:
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
4.00GB DDR2 RAM
NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GTS 256MB
Dual 320GB Hard Drives 5400RPM
415 Watt Standard Dell PSU
Windows Vista Home Premium Service Pack 1 32 bit
Thanks for any help in advance.
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Posted March 6th, 2009 17:00
Well, I have been considering getting a 4850 or even a GTX 285, but I would have to get a new power supply for one of those, but I haven't checked to see whether the connector is attached or not. I have recently replaced a dead motherboard, (Yes, I was the guy who had the XPS 420 with the super crazy bust-a-nut fan and no OS booting), so I may have forgotten to reconnect the cable when I put it back together. If the cable hadn't been connected wouldn't the message have come up before I installed the drivers though. I'm not particularly sure about the power supply: it may have been a 350W.
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Posted March 7th, 2009 03:00
Since it didn't report the problem until after the new drivers, they may have set a new parameter that wasn't being used before.
According to the Dell manual the power supply could either be a 375 or a 425 watt model (probably depends on what options were shipped with it). At any rate, since Dell rates their power supplies low the 375 is at least 400 and probably more like a Retail 425 watt model.
Inspiron 16 5630 Laptop and WD22TB4 Docking StationSelf-built desktop for recording studio application383
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Posted March 7th, 2009 05:00
Hey Rator 001,
I am running the nVidia 9800 GT in my XPS 420 with no power issues at all and the 350 W Dell stock PSU, but I think that is the top of the GPU possible without a or additional PSU. The GTX 285 will for sure not run in the 420 without another power supply, but the 9800 GT should run the newer games with ease.
Best,
Darrell WV
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Posted March 7th, 2009 06:00
Hi Darrell WV, Your PSU will run an 9500GT and the 9600GT. I think you have an problem with that 8600 card.
fireberd
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Posted March 6th, 2009 04:00
Dell power supplies are always underrated. e.g. your 415 watt power supply is more like a 450 or even 500. You should have more than enough power for that video card. Do you have the additional PCIe power connection made to the video card? I've seen video cards with higher rated power requirements work within the Dell power supplies without problems. You may want to consider, at some point, a better video card, the 8600 series are "OK" for some games but they are not for intensive games such as GTA. I have an 8600GT in my Q6600 processor PC and wouldn't consider almost any of the newer games.
Here is the specs for an 8600GTS from www.newegg.com:
"Minimum of a 350 Watt power supply. (Minimum recommended power supply with +12 Volt current rating of 22 Amp Amps.)
Minimum 450 Watt for SLI mode system. (Minimum recommended power supply with +12 Volt current rating of 24 Amp Amps.)
An available 6 pin PCI-E power connector (hard drive power dongle to PCI-E 6 pin adapter included with card)"