HP ENVY Phoenix 860-014 Graphics Card

[William1911]

My desktop is stated above, and the specs can be found here: https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c04816928 .

The OEM GTX 745 isn't really cutting it anymore . I want to upgrade to an EVGA GTX 970, but I'm afraid my power supply (500W) won't cut it. I don't really want to upgrade so I ask : will a 500W power supply (stock) on my stock Phoenix cut it?

Thanks

[old_geekster]

@William1911 , welcome to the forum.

It is a close call.  It states in the specs that the card requires a 500W power supply unit (PSU).  I suggest that you use a PSU calculator to see what your system requires.

Please click the Thumbs up + button if I have helped you and click Accept as Solution if your problem is solved.

[William1911]

Oh gosh, that calculator has a lot of fields I don't even know how to start answer..

[old_geekster]

@William1911, I know what you mean!

I guess without jumping through all of the hoops that the calculater requires, the easiest answer to your question is, the fact that your PSU is only 500W, the exact amount that the card requires, is not a good thing.  I always recommend at least 100W to 150W more that tne card requires.  This allows for peak needs of the system.  This will not damage the system because the PSU does not push power to the system, but the system draws the amount of power that it requires to operate properly.  I like Corsair products,  The PSU is not the place to save money.  It is the heart of the system.  Here is a page of PSU's on Newegg that will give you a good idea of what you need.  You can read the Customer Reviews for the ones that meet your needs to see what owners have to say about them.

Please click the Thumbs up + button if I have helped you and click Accept as Solution if your problem is solved.