I wasn't so much referring to performance-type upgrades, but more when you need to replace a component and have to go up a level or two because yours isn't available anymore.  That happened to me once.  My graphics card went South while still under warranty and my PSU had to be upgraded because it was underpowered for the replacement card, which was rated higher due to the previous one being discontinued. The other reason you might need to up your PSU is if you needed to add another storage HDD, or extra fans for Summer cooling, etc. 

I have a 1200w PSU, and I certainly wouldn't use that much power, but I'd rather have more than enough than risk component damage with a borderline, just adequate unit that strains to keep up under load.

Philly did you run this, I'll admit I'm curious:

Those have never required anything more then an integrated graphics card. And a newer iGPU will work better for those then an ancient as hell dGPU.

The point of having a graphics card is for 3d graphics, if your game is not rendering a 3d world then you don't need one.

@ starkers I guess I must not be much of computer person, probably should stick with pen/pencil and paper. 

I don't see a need to upgrade the power supply for the following reasons.

1. The integrated graphics seem to be working fine so no need to add a video card

2. The computer is wifi ready, no card needed.

3. I use a 46in LED TV as my monitor which is connected to a home theater system so the sound off the mobo is okay, no sound card needed.

4. I do run a USB HD Docking Station but it doesn't get it's power through the USB connection, has a power cord.

All this means that there are four PCI slots that have nothing in them and thus not adding internal heat to the system

Tell me if I'm missing something or being shortsighted.

@ DaveRI I thought that because I didn't have a video card installed was the reason I couldn't run WEI.  I have sent an email off to Gateway to see what the problem is.  Once they get back to me I will let you know what they say.

I have GTX590 too, FTW! Brilliant card, totally worth the money. Never used it for multi-GPU gaming though, but to render some archviz...and funnily, to that purpose, its better than newer gtx690, which is sold for 300 EUROs more over here now than what i paid for 590 last year. 

Thanks.

I had a Gateway awhile back, it treated me well.  Mainstream package machines are kind of designed to Plug-and-run-as-is as opposed to load-up-the-case.  Not quite sure which I'll do next time around, but it appears that it'll be a little sooner than I was hoping, and at this point plug-and-run is an attractive option.  Computers are great hobbies, they'll suck up all the cash you want to throw at them

Well I guess if you don't intend or need to add anything internally, and any replacement parts [if ever needed] are of the same power rating, then you'll be okay with the 300w.  It just seems like such a small power output in today's terms, with everything bigger and better than in yesteryear, but if Gateway manufactured the machine with just 300w, then I'm sure it'll be fine.  They would have assessed the power requirements for that particular setup and then allocated the correct power output for it, so I guess it was just me being a worry wort. 

After listening to various people with high-end this and that, 300w just seemed underpowered in terms of today's machines. Looks like you got it covered, though, and if ever you do want to upgrade something internally, at least you'll look into upping you PSU to accommodate it.

Having a higher rated power supply than you need isn't a bad thing necessarily.  If you're below maximum load it's cooler, more efficient, and lasts longer.

Stock power supplies are not all bad, but I think you would feel reassured to know a little bit more about your power supply than its power rating which, as I've just alluded to, is the maximum load it can take.  Most computer power supplies run best when they're at 75% or less, which comes out as 225W for yours.  Now that's fine for covering all the basics, but you can see that it doesn't give you a lot of breathing room if you wanted to add things later.

Yes, what MarvinKosh said....

Never scrimp-out on your Power specs.  You 'can' end up frying your entire machine...or at least its MoBo.

I have a bucket-full of bits that used to be an Acer Travelmate ....dead because the psu/charging circuits of the MoBo went tits-up.

Jafo, wouldn't you think thought that the power supply that came with the computer is sufficient for as the computer is configured or doesn't the manufacturer worry about that?

MarvinKosh, based on my replies to starkers, what else would I be looking at putting in the computer?

Manufacturers are pre-occupied with the bottom line...so everything is 'minimal' and will do 'just'.  If and when you wish to add something trivial they'll say..."oh, gosh that will entail you ALSO buy [from us] a bigger PSU".  They get you TWICE.

My last 2 machines were home-made ... so their PSUs were 'appropriate' for not 'just' the current specs but for potential/likely upgrades.

Old one was a P4 3.0gig has a TruePower 600w ...

Current one is a i7 920 with a Antec TruePower Quattro 1000w ... I have 5 physical HDs, 2 burners, the GTX590 and sundry other crap to support...

I suppose if I ever do get to that point that I want to add some new function or option then I would have to get a bigger power supply unit.  I just don't see that happening anytime in the near future.  What can I say, I'm easily satisfied. 

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/graphics/2011/03/24/nvidia-geforce-gtx-590-3gb-review/8 

Peak power consumption of 'just' the Graphic card I use is 491 watts.

Even at 'idle' it's 156 watts.

If you wish to run some high-end 3D games you'll find both your HD2000 and your PSU to be suffering/lacking.... but pushing pens and surfing will be just fine and dandy...