Geforce 9600 GT Wattage

[optix2000]

What's the wattage requirements for a nVidia Geforce 9600 GT? My current setup is an Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300, 4 GB of DDR2 RAM, a 7.2k RPM 1TB HDD, a 7.2k RPM 120GB HDD, a 20x DVD+/- Burner, and some integrated Geforce graphics. All this is running on a 350 Watt PSU. There are no high power USB peripherals, besides a USB mouse and keyboard, and an SD Card reader. I was considering having the 350 Watt PSU power the motherboard and having a 250 Watt PSU power the video card and haddrives, but I don't know how much the card will pull from the motherboard.

[Computer_Commando]

Running 2 separate power supplies on one computer is not as simple as it sounds.  Unless you like to tinker with electronics, I would not recommend it.  A single 400-500W would be better.  350W PSU seems a little on the light side for your hardware, but if you're having no issues with it now, there is no reason to replace it.

[optix2000]

I haven't put in my 9600 yet. The computer is currently running under an integrated card. I don't know how much the 9600 will pull, and I don't want my power supply to die under high load. I have a 500 watt PSU, but it doesn't have the motherboard connectors.

[Computer_Commando]

Power requirements should be printed on the box, but could be around 100W.
What motherboard connectors are missing on the 500W?

[optix2000]

The extra 4pin connector. Actually, it has the extra 4pin connector as a SEPARATE cable, and they don't link up side by side unless I were to cut away some plastic.

[Computer_Commando]

The extra 4pin connector. Actually, it has the extra 4pin connector as a SEPARATE cable, and they don't link up side by side unless I were to cut away some plastic.

The separate P4 connector OR the additional 4-pin which adds to the 20-pin to make 24-pin?
If you have the former, then it's a P4 PSU.  They make adapters for the latter to convert 20-pin PSU to 24-pin motherboard.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812887007&cm_re=20_pin_to_24_pin_adapter-_-12-887-007-_-Product
OR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812189060&cm_re=20_pin_to_24_pin_adapter-_-12-189-060-_-Product

[optix2000]

I have a 20 pin connector, but I also have a separate 4 pin connector that DOES NOT attach to the 20 pin to make it a 24 pin. The motherboard needs a 24 pin connection. I guess I'll go rip apart an old Molex and make my own 24 pin connector.

[Computer_Commando]

I have a 20 pin connector, but I also have a separate 4 pin connector that DOES NOT attach to the 20 pin to make it a 24 pin. The motherboard needs a 24 pin connection. I guess I'll go rip apart an old Molex and make my own 24 pin connector.

You're not understanding what I said.  The separate 4-pin goes to it's own connector on the mobo (that's the P4 connector).  The adapters I listed do the 20 to 24 conversion for $4-5.  You can probably buy it at your local computer store.

[optix2000]

Well, my main question was whether 350 Watts is enough to power a Geforce 9600, or do I need to:
A) Use two PSU's to power everything. (350 watt on mobo, 250 watt on Video card + HDDs)
B) Use a 500 Watt PSU with an adapter and hope it's enough to power everything.

[quaxo]

Unless you have the tools and know-how to put two power supplies into your computer without frying anything, you would be better off using the 500w PSU with an adapter. 500w should be more than enough to power that system.

Even if you knew how to make the power supplies work at the same time, I would strongly recommend against it.

[optix2000]

What I'm confused about now is why so many people have crazy high wattage power supplies (ie 750+ or 1000+ watts), I was really surprised that a quad core could run on a 350 watt PSU.

[quaxo]

What I'm confused about now is why so many people have crazy high wattage power supplies (ie 750+ or 1000+ watts), I was really surprised that a quad core could run on a 350 watt PSU.

That's for people who do things like SLI/Crossfire and have lots of extras like liquid cooling, several HDDs, DVD drives, overclock, etc. which require lots of extra power. 1000w is a bit excessive anyway, even in those cases. It's like owning a Ferrari: You've got all that power but don't really need it. ~500w should be more than enough for what you need.

[Computer_Commando]

What I'm confused about now is why so many people have crazy high wattage power supplies (ie 750+ or 1000+ watts), I was really surprised that a quad core could run on a 350 watt PSU.

Bragging Rights!   More is better!!

[Geek-9pm]

Did somebody already post this link?
http://www.pcper.com/article.php?aid=522&type=expert&pid=14

[broque]

 It's not the volts (watts) It's the amps