Status report

So my monitor has degraded to the point that it looks like I'm about to fall into the world of Tron. Pink lines, crazy blocks, dots and moving green masses. At other points it looks like the Matrix exploded.

I bought a card from Dell, one of those suggested: an ATI Radeon HD2600 PRO 512 MB DDR2. And now I'm really worried that the power supply for my computer will be insufficient. According to specs online, I have a 460 watt power supply. The specs for the card require a 400 watt power supply. I can't quite wrap my brain around any of this; I'm trying to figure out if my existing power cord will work with it or not.

Website friend is coming over tonight, ostensibly to check out the sale, and he might get tortured about power supply specifics. And pressed into service to move boxes. Poor guy!

Anyway, Dell claimed that it would take 2-3 days for me to receive it, and then when I got the shipping confirmation email, it claimed a delivery date of the 17th. Uh, fail. Today there is a "rescheduled" date of tomorrow, which makes a lot more sense.

So. I've finished sweeping the garage. You would NOT believe how much crud there was. Hulled birdseed was everywhere along one wall. The metal and plastic racks were completely covered with dust and cobwebs. I cleaned some of it off, but they really require a good soaking on the lawn. Yeah, that bad.

( Little more about the garage sale )

Okay, more advice needed

So. I've looked over my system. Turns out the power supply is strangely situated at the base of the unit (check it out) and it's a pain to get out and it's thin. So I can't replace it easily.

I've purchased an ATI Radeo HD2600 Pro 512 MB DDR2, which says it needs 400 watts to operate. It'll be delivered tomorrow.

ETA: Looks like it's a VisionTek model, and it needs 300 watts.

The system's power supply is rated at 460 watts.

I've seen someone on the forums who apparently is running a similar card, with no worries. Most people, though, seem to be suggesting that a separate power supply is necessary.

( My system specs )

So what do you think? Should I hazard putting in the card and hooking it in to the main power supply? Or should I get the card its own separate power supply and just rig it out of the case? Thoughts would be incredibly appreciated.