Read this The Truth About Graphics Power Requirements V2 - Graphic Hardware - Forums - www.atomicmpc.com.au

I had a 9800pro running with this PSU (Macron MPT-300, 300W) just fine, so this article is saying I'd be able to run a 7600GS on my machine OK even though it's technically below the 'minimum specification'?

I skimmed through the article and found it to be a pretty good summary.

The quality of your 300W supply is questionable, just like what is written under the Recommendations heading of the article.

If the power supply is not built to actually deliver rated specs. then it will give you trouble.

It also depends on what else you have running in the PC. How many hard drives? How many optical drives? How many case fans?

You can buy the 7600GS and try it out. Run some graphics intensive software, games, etc. If it holds up, then the power supply is *probably* adequate.

Otherwise, upgrade. A quality 400-450W supply is not expensive. Considering that the power supply is the most important part of a PC, it makes sense to ensure you have a quality one, the more wattage the better, for future expansion. :)

The rest of my system is-

Athlon XP 2200+
1.25GB RAM PC2700
DVD drive
2 Hard drives
Network card
Floppy drive

No case fans.

Although I could easily do without one of the hard drives if necessary. I'm going to get a new system later in the year and this card is only needed so I can start gaming again, money is a factor so if possible I'd like to find the most powerful card that I could run.

I think my PSU rins ~15A on the 12V rail. If not a 7600GS, what would the best card I could get to actually run be?

The usual recommendation is to get the fastest video card you can afford.:D

According to your system specs, its probably AGP, so your limited to AGP cards only, meaning your options are even less.

Even though the PS specs is 15A, the supply needs to be constructed with quality components to maintain close to that 15A rating. So for example, your 300W rating may only be able to cleanly deliver 250W.

You might want to look for an older high-end card from a few years ago, for example a 6800 Ultra. Even a used one should be able to tie you over until your new system.:)

But a 6800 Ultra uses more power than a 7600GS.

?