PSU Wattage needs

Considering my PC Specs (Which you can see in my profile) do you think my system's PSU would handle the installation of a Nvidia GT 1030 2GB GDDR5 running at max power?

I know the specs for the card indicates a minimum 300W PSU but a lot of people have told me that since my CPU is a low wattage one that my 180W PSU could still handle the card.

I have seen other variations of my system which have factory i7 configs (which use more power than my i3) and have a GT 730 (same wattage as GT 1030) with the 180W PSU.

So i guess i should be ok ?

I would get a higher wattage PSU. But I always go overkill on things like this.

The Lenovo ideaCentre 510-15ICB uses a proprietary power supply.
So if you do need a higher wattage, you'll probably have to get it from Lenovo.
For one thing, Lenovo power supplies use different connectors.






This is from the Lenovo forums... it seems you "might" not need a higher wattage power supply.




Telephone numbers for Lenovo...
Make sure to have the serial number of the computer handy, if you call.

Just try it out. If your PC crashes while gaming under full load, you still can invest the few bucks for a stronger PSU.

TigerTom said:

Just try it out. If your PC crashes while gaming under full load, you still can invest the few bucks for a stronger PSU.

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That may be a little tricky. The PC uses a SFF power supply rather than an ATX standard one. It's possible that upgrades exist, though.

My guess is that it won't be necessary. The GT1030 is supposed to max out at 30W.

I would check this out.. it will give you a rough estimate of the power consumption of your parts and then you can determine the PSU you'll need.

I have tried 3-4 of those PSU calculator websites but the results are very inconsistent.

AntonisCy said:

I have tried 3-4 of those PSU calculator websites but the results are very inconsistent.

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They can be but in the end I would go with at least a 700W PSU. Price wise they're not that expensive and it will provide you with plenty of power.

The fact that my pc is small factor and the PSU is propriety and not standard size makes me not wanting to go through the hassle of changing it. I would only install a GPU if my current PSU supported it. It's not like i am going to game or anything its just that i would like to use HDR and higher resolution displays.

That could mean that your PSU is a SFX PSU rather than the 'standard' ATX PSU. Worth checking.
Otherwise, you could move your computer components into another case - either ATX or micro ATX case. That would enable you to use a more 'standard' size PSU, and change your GPU with minimum of hassle.

iko22 said:

That could mean that your PSU is a SFX PSU rather than the 'standard' ATX PSU. Worth checking.
Otherwise, you could move your computer components into another case - either ATX or micro ATX case. That would enable you to use a more 'standard' size PSU, and change your GPU with minimum of hassle.

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I think the OP's PC uses a PSU with a proprietary form. Not an SFX one.

A quick Web search for upgrades didn't come up with anything.

I haven't checked, but the motherboard may be proprietary as well.

Allegedly they exist, but I dont know if it is necessary. That one is not cheap.

Motherboard has a 10 pin socket not 24 pin ATX, so 24 to 10 pin adapter required if using an ATX PSU which probably won't fit anyway.
Same with small Dells except the motherboard socket varies between 6 and 8 pins.

Like Dells the Idea Centres have weird motherboards.

Thing to watch when using a replacement PSU is it either has the correct connectors or you have an ATX to whatever number of pins the motherboard socket has adaptor, the plug socket and switch fit the case cut out and that the PSU fan is not sitting on the bottom of the case which will block the airflow.

I think a 180Watt PSU would be pushing it somewhat though, a GT1030 will work OK with a Dell 260 Watt PSU, as I've tried it in an Inspiron 3881, however other than saving a couple of GB of system Ram any improvement over UHD630 was negligible. In the end, as I can't resist trying to improve stuff, I fitted a 450 watt SFX modular PSU, which actually fits more or less inside when its upside down, fan at the top so the socket lines up with the case cutout, added the 24 pin ATX to Dell adaptor and put my spare 6GB GTX1060 in it, vast improvement needless to say.

If you do contemplate upgrading the PSU carefully measure the space you have, where the fan on the PSU is, will the socket be in the correct place for the chassis, you don't want the fan sitting on the bottom of the case and blocking the airflow and check if any of the screw holes line up or make sure you can drill suitable holes if they don't, I was lucky in that respect. I went modular to avoid a load of unnecessary cables cluttering up the inside of the case as Dell take the power for drives from the motherboard not the PSU, pretty sure Lenovo do similar.

I wanted to update the GPU so i could try a monitor with a higher resolution, frame rate and maybe test out HDR. But if it means i have to change the PSU (which would be a lot of trouble as it seems) i would rather stay with the integrated GPU which can at least run my current resolution at 120Hz.

Put into retrospect, Look at my rig, And it runs fine on 650w.

Devlin1888 said:

Put into retrospect, Look at my rig, And it runs fine on 650w.

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That is actually good. But 180 vs 650 is a big difference so i am finding it hard to put it in retrospect

AntonisCy said:

That is actually good. But 180 vs 650 is a big difference so i am finding it hard to put it in retrospect

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Thats what i was saying, Id prob go for a 500 or something depending on pricing etc between the different wattages, If there isnt much in it id get the biggest one thats value for money too.
But again depending on the type of psu it takes it might not be possible anyway