Powering my Graphics Card

[Piccolo00]

Recently I purchased an ATI Radeon 9500 Pro which can has to be plugged into the computers own power supply, unfortunately I only have 300watt power for the whole PC. My games start to slow down after a little while into the game, I've contacted the computer manufacturer and the card manufacturer multiple times, and the only thing that they think is that it is possibly the card could be damaged OR I need more power. Yet again, unfortunately my PC is not compatible to switch power supplies.
My question is it at all possible to use a separate 350watt power supply to run my graphics card alone while my 300watt power supply runs everything else? If so can anyone tell me how to make that work?

[Telexen]

You don't want to do that...why won't your system accept another power supply? shouldn't be a problem..just get a new ATX

[Piccolo00]

I called the manufacturer of the PC and they said the system might become unstable if I installed a new power supply. BUT if running a 2nd doesn't work I might just install a 430watt and take my chances because if not I'll never get this graphics card working correctly.

[Telexen]

That's crap, they just don't want you messing with it...You shouldn't have a problem putting a new PSU in.

It's not extremely safe to run a second PSU...in fact, it's extremely UNSAFE.

The motherboard powers your card, so you'll need one to power the board..and one other things like drives/fans...you don't want these powered up at different times...that leads to problems.

[Piccolo00]

ok thanks for your help, the graphics card manufacturers recommended a 430-480watt power supply. Do you think a 430watt will be enough?

[Telexen]

It will as long as you don't buy a cheap brand...it depends on what else it has to power though.

[Bruneau]

Who's the manufacturer? Some (like Dell) have proprietary connectors.

A cheap way to power extras like fans etc. is to pull the PS from an old AT style pooter. Just leave the power switch connected right to it.

[Omardeth]

who makes your pc ? let us know and we can check it out . or better yet take a pic of it with the side off so we can see the guts .

if you want a good cheap power supply give this achieve power supply a try . they are 23$ shipped ..... other online vendors sell them for 30-40$ . i have used 6 of these sofar and they are VERY well built and have worked in every system i have owned .

[Telexen]

I doubt just using an AT PSU to power fans will give much more power to the card though

Like Omardeth said, a new PSU will only cost him $20 - $40 ... so it shouldn't be too big of a hassle.

[Piccolo00]

the computer is a Sony VAIO PCV-RX760. I can't get a pic right now, sorry.