power supply vs geforce8800

[Anti-Social_FatMan]

hi guys

i'm probably the least hardware savvy person on the planet, so i could do with some help!

i'm on the verge of upgrading my now depressingly old 7800 to a shiny new 8800, but from the few sites i've checked, they all recommend a 500w psu for the 8800

i'm currently running on a 480w psu, and frankly don't want to have to spend an extra £60 on something i might already have - so what's the real deal? can i get by? will i likely suffer any problems at all?

thank you all for any help you can offer

below is a list of stuff in my computer, if needed to better answer my question

nforce motherboard
amd 4200+ dual core cpu
1gb ram (soon to be 2)
geforce 7800 (soon to be 8800)
wifi network card
audigy 4
generic usb keyboard
razer copperhead mouse
1x hard drive
1x big fan on the cpu
1x small outlet fan at the rear

 

[gurusan]

What model number:? How many amps on the 12v rail?

You most likely WILL need one...skimping on the power supply is a no no.

 

[Apokalipse]

depends on the quality of that power supply.
If it's a good brand, I'd say it will be fine with a GTS. GTX might be pushing it though.

I use a 580W PSU (Hiper Type-R) with my GTS 320MB card though.