Clutters of red dots - GTX 460 with 300w power supply?

[juezznin]

Hello,
this is my first post on this forum, so if I have violated any rules I apologise.

System:
Dell Studio XPS 8100 (6 months old)
i7 870 quad core 2.93 ghz
Power Supply: Liteon 300w - im not entirely sure, but I took a photo of its details.
http://img856.imageshack.us/img856/7402/powersupply.jpg
Video card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX460

I know the recommended minimum power requirement for this card is 450w and 24 amps on the 12v rail, and my power supply to my knowledge (I have no idea) is 300w and has either 12 or 18 amps next to the 12v rails. (see image link above)

Basically I have been experiencing red and purple clutters of dots appearing on my screen, usually on photographs and gradients (not always). I have reinstalled drivers etc. with no luck. These dots disappear if I restart the computer, but return anywhere from an hour to 10 hours later. The video drivers fail and recover quite frequently (screen turns black then comes back saying it's recovered).

After searching online I found that my power supply may be an issue. I called Dell and someone is coming to look at the computer in the next few days to possibly replace the card (computer is only 6 months old and under warranty), and I would like to present a reasonable case that the power supply they included in this Studio XPS 8100 desktop has caused the graphics card to fail (if this is the case).

Sorry for blabbing on, this has just got me worked up as being an intermediate computer user I did not want to have to deal with getting compatible parts to build my own computer, so I figured Dell would build a computer with compatible parts...

SO, I am wondering what people's thoughts are on my situation and if these issues could have been caused by the power supply not meeting the card's requirements.

Thanks in advance!

[Ninja Prime]

Thats not nearly enough power supply for that system. It came like that? Notice the warning on the PS that says max power will not exceed 350w. Probably the system tried to pull too much power and toasted either the PS or the card or both. Your quad core i7 CPU is probably a 95w lynnfield, and the GTX 460 averages 150w-160w with peaks of up to 180w. Thats potentially 275w, just in those two components. ~100w for the rest of the system is a typical estimate, depending on components. That's 375w potentially. Almost all of that is going to be coming through the 12v rails, which say they are only rated at 300w. You could be pulling in 75w above the rating on your PS, or more.

Even beyond that, its always good to have more power than you need, so your PS isn't working at peak all the time, 450w should be about the minimum for that setup, IMO.

[juezznin]

Originally Posted by Ninja Prime

Thats not nearly enough power supply for that system. It came like that? Notice the warning on the PS that says max power will not exceed 350w. Probably the system tried to pull too much power and toasted either the PS or the card or both. Your quad core i7 CPU is probably a 95w lynnfield, and the GTX 460 averages 150w-160w with peaks of up to 180w. Thats potentially 275w, just in those two components. ~100w for the rest of the system is a typical estimate, depending on components. That's 375w potentially. Almost all of that is going to be coming through the 12v rails, which say they are only rated at 300w. You could be pulling in 75w above the rating on your PS, or more.

Even beyond that, its always good to have more power than you need, so your PS isn't working at peak all the time, 450w should be about the minimum for that setup, IMO.

Thank you for the fast reply!
So from that would you say Its fair for me to question Dell as to why they would allow the option of GTX 460 with that system?

[juezznin]

Thanks for the reply When the technician is looking at the computer I think I'll show him/her the nVidia page and suggest that caused the card to falter.

Originally Posted by abtomat74

.
After doing some reading, maybe the card being offered was a mistake? I saw plenty of forum posts on google of people talking about upgrading their PSU's for this 8100 system, in conjunction with a GTX260 as an option.

Hmm that is interesting! I might just call them again tomorrow to confirm this, and explain everything to them... try my luck at getting a free upgrade :P

thanks for the help!

[Ninja Prime]

Originally Posted by juezznin

Thank you for the fast reply!
So from that would you say Its fair for me to question Dell as to why they would allow the option of GTX 460 with that system?

Yeah, fair question, obvious answer though, they thought they could get away with it. I hope nothing is toast from it, but I would ask them to replace the PS with 450W or better. Have them test everything though, RAM could be toast, CPU could have problems, Mobo could have problems, the GTX 460 could have problems, who knows. Have them replace anything fried because they skimped on a PS, which ironically is probably one of the cheapest components in that system. They probably saved less than $10 going for 300w vs a 450w or 500w.

[juezznin]

Originally Posted by Ninja Prime

Yeah, fair question, obvious answer though, they thought they could get away with it. I hope nothing is toast from it, but I would ask them to replace the PS with 450W or better. Have them test everything though, RAM could be toast, CPU could have problems, Mobo could have problems, the GTX 460 could have problems, who knows. Have them replace anything fried because they skimped on a PS, which ironically is probably one of the cheapest components in that system. They probably saved less than $10 going for 300w vs a 450w or 500w.

Ok, what is the best way for me to test if RAM and other components have been damaged? I am using the computer now, and the only thing visibly wrong is the coloured dots. The Dell technician is coming in tomorrow to test and replace the graphics card, perhaps I could ask them to check the other parts... not that he/she would be 100% truthful in that scenario though..

[Ninja Prime]

You can run MEMTEST86+ to test your RAM, and SuperPi or something to test your CPU, though they will stress the system, but I think as long as you don't have anything high end as far as video running it should be ok power wise. You can find those on the net with a quick search.

[Muppet]

Originally Posted by Ninja Prime

Even beyond that, its always good to have more power than you need, so your PS isn't working at peak all the time, 450w should be about the minimum for that setup, IMO.

Good advice that and one I always try to abide by.

[juezznin]

Everything I tested seems fine, just the graphics card at this point. Getting the replacement card installed tomorrow and waiting for a call back from Dell about the power supply... not looking good on getting an upgraded power supply though, they wont seem to budge.

Everyone has been extremely helpful, thank you very much!

[Quick420]

I read the whole thread,and I feel for you.But now you know to stay away from Dell,the have always been a pain in my arse,with the cases being the worst on the market.Well maybe not the worst but for from good.They use low grade hardware when they can and advertise it like it's a frigggin alienware system.Next time do some research here and dont be afraid of building your own system,people here love to help newbies.We were all new at this @ one point.I wont be surprised to see the Dell tech put in a new PSU first.Good luck M8.