Not ready for a new computer yet, but about to purchase a GeForce GT640(512MB) for use in a two year old Dell 546MTt to replace integrated video. Power supply connectors have passed me by, so need some help. On this site I found a comprehensive power requirement chart for many many makes and models (http://www.geeks3d.com/forums/index.php/topic,1946.0.html) and the GT640 reported consumption, for typical 3D, is 64 watts, well below the 75 watt I understand the PCIx16 slot can provide. Now I see no mention of additional power connections as I read the powerful gaming cards require for their much higher power needs. My power supply does have two unused SATA power connectors. If I did require additional power input might these, with adapters, feed the necessary PCI power connector. So am I go - just stuff in the slot, no additional connections, and fire up? Yes, I will remember to connect to my monitor. The GTY640 also indicates it requires a double width slot. How do I assess? I have only one P CI x16 slot. Above it is a card in a PCI Express x4 slot handling the WIFI and its external antenna connector, below an unused regular PCI slot.
Finally realized the pictures of the card clearly indicated its breath is to the left looking down with the output at the top. I have an empty slot to that side so will be ok. Now am I correct on the power - needs no additional other than from the slot?
Cool website, very helpful. You can also check out this website for extra customizations and accurate results. Did you mean GT440? I can't seem to find GT640's anywhere. Could you link me to the one you're looking at so that i could read it specs? You mentioned it requires 64 watts at typical 3D load... No matter what the wattage, your pcie x16 slot can handle it. What matters is how much juice your PSU has. Remember, your pci slots are powered by the PSU. In regards to the double-width question... all this means is that the GT card requires enough space to occupy two pci slots, hence the word "double" slot. Older, skinnier cards, occupy one slot (the slot you install it in), and are hence called "single" width slot. This term isn't commonly used, however. So, if you buy a double width video card, this means you'll have to be prepared to sacrifice the slot below or above the slot that the gpu is connected to.
Sorry about the numbers, have far to many in my head and they are leaking. I have settled on the GeForce GT 440 with 512 for all of 60 bucks - can't go wrong and see I do have plenty of power and space. Ed
GetForce Gt 440 installation a non-event. Because my original onboard monitor did not have a DVI output I had used a HDMI to DVI for my main monitor and a VGA to VGA for my secondary. The output connectors were so close the cable connectors had to be jammed in. I started to hook my new card up the same way just to minimize immediate changes and the HDMI and VGA connectors were even closer so that I could connect only one or the other cables with out sawing off the side of the VGA cable connector. Of course grabbed a DVI to DVI cable and all is well, but interesting that manufacturers put output connectors so close as to be useless. Ed
