Trouble with a GPU upgrade

[Cadsuane]

Awhile ago I recieved a gift of a new graphics card but I ran into a two problems when trying to install it. First of all there isn't quite enough clearance in the tower. The big heatsink and fan is at the rear end of the card which butts up against a plastic shroud which directs air past the CPU heatsink. After getting a bit depressed about that I realized that my 305 watt power supply doesn't meet the minimum of 400 watts required by the new hardware.

So I've gotta solve two problems. The clearance problem I think can be rednecked with a dremel though the graphics and central processor heatsinks would be about 2 cm apart at that point. What do people typically do when this happens though? Are there ribbon cables that extend the PCI slot?

About the power supply, I've actually never replaced one myself though I wouldn't have had any trouble with it if it were still the IDE era. All those SATA cables and miscelaneous junk running to and from the motherboard looks pretty initmidating and I have no idea what to shop for that'd work with my machine. Any advice?

[Cephius]

Honestly, I'd return the card... it sounds like it's going to be more trouble than it's worth for you. By the time you're done replacing components and making it fit, you might as well just buy a new computer.

The processor and GPU heatsinks being near each other really doesn't matter as long as you have good airflow passing over them. They're just there to dissipate heat, so air displacement is most important. I've had cramped quarters in cases before, its never a problem as long as you got a lot of fans and good airflow.

Replacing a power supply is easy. You typically have 1 24 pin power cable that goes to the main board, another 8 pin that goes to the processor, and then the misc. cables that give power to your hard drives. They should all be easy to disconnect.

But again. I'd just return the card.

[Cadsuane]

My friend has informed me that he can't return the card anymore, so I'm stuck with it. Seems a shame to let it rot and I need an upgrade anyway.

The big 24 pin connector is easy to spot, but I also see a 4 pin one just above the memory chips. Are SATA wiring and sufficient wattage the only two things that need to be satisfied?

[Olo401]

If the 4-pin is square and large, it's probably the CPU power connector. If it's in-line and smaller it's a fan, most likely for the CPU heatsink.

[fishstix]

For picking out a powersupply, most importantly, don't go cheap on it. Get something of good quality Corsair, Antec, Thermaltake, OCZ are the only ones I'd ever get (going from quality to price in that order) You'll also have to take a look at the video card, if it has extra power connections, like a 6 or 8 pin connector; if so, the PSU will need those cables too.

[SubzeroDiabolos]

Connecting a power supply is easy as balls. SATA isn't harder than IDE, only 1 way to plug it in.

The hardest part about wiring a computer imo is connecting the case to the mobo, and that doesn't seem to be your case (no pun intented).

[Cadsuane]

I fixed it all up. Ended up cutting the plastic by burning it with a lighter until it was soft enough to chop with a knife. Not while it was still in the computer, obviously. Power supply installation was easy as balls like everyone said. Dunno what I was so scared of.