XPS 420 Upgrades

I have a Dell XPS 420 with a stock 375W PSU, I am looking to upgrade my graphics card and RAM.
Graphics
I currently have a 256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GTS, I want to upgrade this card without changing to a higher wattage PSU. There is a 768MB NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTX listed as one of the graphics options for this machine here:
http://www.dell.com/us/en/gen/desktops/xpsdt_420/pd.aspx~ Disallowed ~xpsdt_420&s=gen
Under "Tech Specs" tab.
Does that mean I can use that card with my current PSU? I’ve seen people with same PSU able to use the 8800 GTX on the Dell forums.
RAM
I currently have 2 GB, 2 x 1 GB sticks. I have 4 slots and want to put another 2 x 1 GB sticks to make 4 GB total.
The RAM is Unbuffered 240-pin 800Mhz DDR2 RAM, would two of these work OK?:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kingston-Technology-1GB-DDR2-DIMM/dp/B000FVTPF0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1246362170&sr=8-1
Can I do that with my current PSU aswell?
I know how to replace and fit a graphics card and RAM fine, I just need help with PSU issues.
Answer #1
I wouldn’t change anything with that PSU. It looks like they’ve given you just enough for the entire spec with no room for expansion.
Just because the card is listed as an option doesn’t mean your PSU can support it. They’d probably put in a bigger PSU for that card as it’s extremely power hungry.
Answer #2
OK, Thanks. What about a 512MB version of my current card?
Or could somebody recommend a NVIDIA graphics card better than my current that will work on a 375W PSU, if there are any.
Edit: I’ve bought 2 x 1GB RAM sticks (the ones in my previous post) after a lot of research.
Answer #3
RAM is a tiny amount of power draw so you’ll be fine with that. You won’t see any marked increase in 3D performance just buying a card with more memory available it it.
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/graphics/2006/11/08/nvidia_geforce_8800_gtx_g80/18
According to that article, it doesn’t draw as much power as I thought it did but I still wouldn’t trust it on that size of PSU
You could chance it and try the 8800 in it but if your PSU goes, you could take other components with it.
Answer #4
Is there any sort of graphics card upgrade I can do or I am stuck with a 8600 GTS without getting a higher wattage PSU?
What about a series 9 equivalent of the 8600?
It says here that the 59 watt 9600 GT needs 300W minimum:
http://www.nvidia.com/object/product_geforce_9600gt_us.html
Under "Specifications" tab.
And from what I can see, it is better than a 8600.