Depends on the card.
A high end 3d card would require something like 450 watts, (even greater foe
SLI), though realistically it's amps that are more important, and only when
you are running full tilt in some 3d game.
My 7950gx2 recommneds a 400 PSU, and 27 amps.
You could either throw in a PCI card, or update to one of the newer low end
cards. Many cards have dual output these days.
The high-end cards are focused on 3d performance, so you won't notice any
difference in 2d performance, except your wallet will heavier using the low
end card.
"rodchar" <rodchar@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:713C9FA3-60CE-4628-9DE8-114407FA7D3A@microsoft.com...
>i was reading on the box of a video card that i was thinking about buying
>and
> it said one of the requirements was a 450-watt power supply. are all video
> cards like this?
> i think i have only a 300-watt. And the 450-watt requirement, what about
> adding the 2nd one does the power supply need to be modified there again?
>
> "HeyBub" wrote:
>
>> rodchar wrote:
>> > hey all,
>> > i'd like to install a 2nd video card and was just wondering if i need
>> > to note anything special when i do this?
>> > thanks,
>> > rodchar
>>
>> Nah, I did it yesterday. Found an old PCI video card, stuck it in, and
>> boom!
>> Second monitor.
>>
>> Got 'em sittin' side-by-side right now.
>>
>> If you get stuck, go to Help/Dual Monitor for info on how to activate the
>> second monitor.
>>
>>
>>