fifthmanstanding Posted January 16, 2011 Report Share Posted January 16, 2011 Hi all. Hopefully someone can help me here. My buddy has a Compaq CQ5300F model. He wants to install a graphics card. Upon looking at the unit, it would seem that the PSU needs to be ugrade to support the card he'd like to get as it does not have enough molex connectors to power the card. Basic upgrades like ram, cpu's, and graphics cards I've done before but never a PSU. I understand the mechanics of the installation process but the tech specs are what gets me. The card he wants is here:/>http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130591It requires a minimum of 450 watts. I know his current PSU is 250 Watts so obviously the old one has to go. In terms of finding one that will work for this computerIn terms of what he has that needs power: He has two SATA hardrives and one Dvd drive. The motherboard looks like it has two of those square, 4 pronged black molex plugins too.Basically what I'm asking is: what do I need to know and how do I go about finding a sufficient power supply unit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fifthmanstanding Posted January 16, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2011 I should probably also mention that my biggest obstacle seems to,so far, be finding a PSU with two Sata power cables and enough molex to power that graph card at a reasonable price. Can you mod the molex with splitters or something? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MANEMAN Posted January 16, 2011 Report Share Posted January 16, 2011 Hi there, and To save you a lot of sweating over technical details, or the correct leads, I have found you a website where they offer PSU Upgrades for the exact model. (Compaq CQ5300F)I think in his case I would be going for the 550 watt version at only $99. (EA550U) (550W EPS12V/ATX12V/ATX) - exact 550W replacement for Compaq CQ5300F)This would be enough for what he wants to do at present with some left in reserve for any future upgrades.The webpages are: *HERE* and *HERE* Hope this is of some help.John. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fifthmanstanding Posted January 16, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2011 the problem with the OEM PSU that he has now is that 1) not enough wattage to power the card, which is solved by your site and 2) even if it was high enough wattage, not enough molex connectors to go to the graph card. Also looking for a PSU in the $30-$60 range. But any other time those links would've been awesome lol. Sorry for being difficult. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-pops- Posted January 16, 2011 Report Share Posted January 16, 2011 1. You can buy Molex splitters very cheaply. You can also buy SATA power/Molex converters and splitters2. Always remember low cost equates with low quality and that higher power means higher price. Don't be mean on what you spend on this very important part of the computer. Power supply units can fail in a most spectacular way with loud noises, smoke and sparks (I've seen it more than once). A good quality unit will reduce the chances of this happening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MANEMAN Posted January 16, 2011 Report Share Posted January 16, 2011 Totally agree with Pops on this.If your friend is spending $160.00 on a graphics card, go the extra mile and get a decent power supply.Some of the high wattage cheaper ones (Chinese ?) have poor quality components. Look inside after a while and see the bulging electrolytic capacitors.It all goes bang with puffs of smoke at the first "Brownout" or voltage spike and variation, or just after the warranty has run out, there you are spending out more money than if you had gon' the right path in the first place.Just our opinion. :) (Seen too many cheapie PSU's and Hitachi HDD's go this way)John. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fifthmanstanding Posted January 16, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2011 Oh I fully agree. And if it were my machine I were upgrading I would def settle on something higher end. But what he's related to me is that he's working on a budget and wants to maximize his peformance withing a $200 range. I was looking at this one:/>http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817148027thought?If there's a brand or something you recommend let me know. I was looking a few coolermaster products and such. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MANEMAN Posted January 16, 2011 Report Share Posted January 16, 2011 fifthmanstanding Said: - thought? Fit it,-try it. - Move out of the district. :) It may last five weeks. It may last five years. - Who can tell ?On paper it talks-the-talk.In reality can it walk-the-walk ?John. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fifthmanstanding Posted January 17, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2011 See, now I'm scared. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bludgard Posted January 17, 2011 Report Share Posted January 17, 2011 See, now I'm scared.I would be too,fifthmanstanding.Cheap can be very exspensive.You have received some experienced input.Run with it.Welcome to Windows Forum.B) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bludgard Posted January 17, 2011 Report Share Posted January 17, 2011 Fit it,-try it. - Move out of the district. :) Mangler Mangling MANEMAN seems to have a firm grip on the matter.If I ever get into the business of correcting computer issues for a living,I shall have the caravan fully fueled at all times.;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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