XFX 8600GT XXX Edition

Hey guys, ok so.. I have this computer from HP Presario (model Sr5152nx to be exact) and.. here it is:
AMD Dual Core 4000+
2GB (PC-5300) RAM
Windows XP
250w power supply.

Now I heard changing the PS in HP comps is hard, and I know I have 250w. Ok.. and on the website for this exact graphic card is here click here

it says min. requirement 300w. But, I've talked to a couple people and such and I've looked at results on a review of this card and the watt consumption was a bit under 200 only (with graphic card + computer). Is it okay that if I use this card with a 250w? Everything else I have is stock, came with the computer... and not planning on upgrading anything anymore.

I just need confirmation that this is okay. Thanks.XFX 8600GT XXX Edition
You could try it out, but I can almost guarantee you the computer will eventually start buggin' up, turning off randomly, and sooner or later the psu will just fry and not work. It's imperative that you have at least a 400w psu for this new generation of gpu's. Granted, since it's a GT (It's XFX, btw), it doesn't need an external connector straight to the psu, but none the less, it won't be able to push it through too well.XFX 8600GT XXX Edition
Are you absolutely positive? I've heard before that some 250w power supplies are underrated and can actually hold up pretty well. Am I wrong?

Thanks.

They can hold up, sure, for simple tasks that don't require much energy consumption such as surfing the internet. But if you're planning to game, which I'm assuming considering you're buying the card, I'd seriously consider upgrading your current psu.
I have an HP though.. will I be able to upgrade? I heard for my computer model or something that it's extremely hard.

I just have enough money forthe card.. :/

Since its only the GT it doesn't require a separate power dongle. I had to upgrade to a GTS because my ASUS M2V mobo didn't give enough power to the card on its own. I'd be careful of that too since its probably a no name HP mobo.
Alright.. well that's lame.. can someone help me find a PSU that can fit into my computer properly?

I have a Compaq Presario SR5152NX.

bump...
I would think that your HP would be just fine with a 8600GT in it. People have run far more power hungry cards than that on a 250W and have gotten away with it.To be sure, however, you'll need to take a look at your power supply. On the side of it there will be a sticker with a bunch of numbers printed on it. What is next to or across from '+12v'?
Ok Ill check it out today or tomorrow.

Any other opinions?

I ran the same card with basically the same computer but I had a 300w psu and had no problems at all. I say do it and start to save $$ for a new psu.I upgraded from the 300w to a 550w from overstock and noticed no difference in performance. If you look around you can find coupons for free shipping.
I have that exact graphic card in my pc but my pc has more power then yours do. Far as a power supply goes. If you plan on just the one card at the moment and not sli ing another one to it then a 500 watt should be just fine and there are cheap ones out there for that amount of watts and there are some that have more watts to them and yet are still cheap.A good place is tigerdirect. I have bought alot of things from them and they send them to you in like 3 days roughly and that is the standerd way.I would have to say if you don't want to pay for more parts down the road or maybe a new pc all together then you should buy a psu that is better then the one you have. Espicaly for the games that are out there these days.Make sure when you do buy a psu and say it is the 500 wat and I'm not tell you to get it it is just an example that is all anyways say you order this psu and it comes make sure that what is in side of the box is really the 500 watt psu that you order.I order a 500 watt psu once before and installed it and like in no time at all it burned up and I couldn't figure out why and so I took a look at the psu it self and it said 450 watts instead of 500 watts and so I bought my self another one and made sure that it was correct.
Just to add, a higher-quality PSU with a lower wattage (e.g. 550) will probably be overall better then a non-name (or el-cheapo) PSU with a higher wattage (e.g. 600 watt).So try and go with a trusted brand when you buy your PSU. Also, brand-name PC's can sometimes have some funky PSU designs, so make sure that you open up your PC to check first, you could measure as well if you want.
I have been through 2 psus in the past and one was from Coolman or some thing like that and they was the one who sent me the wrong watage for me and the second one is infinity or some thing like that and so far it is running silent and smooth. For this psu and probable any other make sure you have room to put all of the wires and all cause I didn't figure in all of the wires and so when everthing was all hookeed up I had a bunch of left over wires and so I had to stuff them up and around my fan and under my sound card and into a open bay that I wasn't useing.I got this power supply cause it was suppose to be good far as air flow whent but sence I didn't realize that it had so many wirse to it I think I have deffeted the purpose of getting it O well.
Alright thanks.

But also, with my computer... is there power supply restrictions? Are HP (company) known for that?

I heard somewhere there was.. but also some guy who has my comp said he upgraded PSU.. So I'm confused.

And I'm really on budget... so I'd probably buy a 350w if the 250w doesn't work... but the guy above said it will, so I might as well try it with the 250w right? My only concern is that I can't get a new psu altogether if the card doesn't work with the 250w because of the computer restrictions.. I hope I can.

Thanks.