I'm changing my graphics/video card in my Dell Dimension 4600, does BIOS need to be reset and PSU changed?

Question

My nVidia GeForce FX 5200 card failed recently and the new card I'll be installing is an ATi Radeon X1650 PRO (AGP 8x - I know the technology is dying out but I'm constrained by the motherboard).

Minimum requirements are all met except for the recommended power supply. Currently my PSU delivers 250w but the graphics card would like 300w or more. Is it necessary that I upgrade the PSU? According to some reports 250w works fine such as from here (look for ^ROAR^'s post):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=14-131-070&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&Pagesize=10&SelectedRating=5&PurchaseMark=&VideoOnlyMark=False&Keywords=&Page=

Also does the BIOS need to be reset after installing the graphics card?

Thx a lot for your replies in advance.

Answer 1

All you will need to do is install a more poweful PSU, you can buy a 500W one for less than £20. Your 250w PSU may work fine for a wee while but it will eventually go pop & probably take out your motherboard & graphics card with it!

As for the BIOS, there shouldn't be a problem & you will not have to reset it at all!

Answer 2

the bios doesnt need to be upgraded at all as far as the psu goes  try it the worst thing that can happen is the  card not receiving  enough power and not  doing anything  

Answer 3

you just need to install the drivers, shouldn't need to touch BIOS. your PSU should be ok just don't be trying to burn CDs and print stuff or pretty much anything that will draw extra power while your gaming

Answer 4

Your power supply probably will work. ATI gets that figure by using a thirty percent safety margin over what a generic desktop should need with it, assuming everything is at full load. If you just have a Celeron and one disk drive, your power draw is rather low, so you've just got to check the 12V rail. If this is a real old ATX supply (eg. Pentium 3,) the rails will be skewed very heavily towards the 3.3 and 5v side, and you just won't have enough 12V oomph even if the system is under a minimal load. The x1650 pro shouldn't use more than about 4 amps at full load, so that means you're likely okay.

Answer 5

No the bios doesn't need to be reset but I would consider a new power supply. PC Power & Cooling makes a great Dell replacement PS...expensive though.