How much power?

[Niavlys77]

Hey all, just wondering how much power would be recommended for my system?

This is what I got:

Intel Pentium 4 3.2GHz

XFX 7950GT Extreme w/ Passive Cooling

Western Digital 160Gb

2X1Gb Crucial Ballistix DDR2 PC2-6400

And right now I'm using a seemingly crappy Dynex 500W PSU. I'm not really having problems but I'm wondering if I might be starving my video card. Any suggestions?

 

[Allargando]

the Dynex part is bad, but the 500W should be fine.

Check the amperage on the 12V rail and make sure that it's at least 18amps.

If you have more than 1 12V rail I'm not sure if you need each rail to be at least 18amps or not (intuition tells me to just add the amperage of all the 12V rails, but I have no idea if that's correct)

 

[markkleb]

a Corsair 450 would be ideal. Any good 350 to 450watt PS would be fine.

(I use the word GOOD, Corsair,PC Power & Cooling,Seasonic,FSP,Sparkle,Silverstone)

 

[MikeEnIke]

a Corsair 450 would be ideal. Any good 350 to 450watt PS would be fine.

(I use the word GOOD, Corsair,PC Power & Cooling,Seasonic,FSP,Sparkle,Silverstone)

What he said

 

[markkleb]

lol

 

[Niavlys77]

Lol yeah I knew the Dynex part was bad, but got it through a friend working at Future Shop for 40$ so it was a sweet deal. Anyways, on the box it says this:

Voltage: +3.3V +5V +12V1 +12V2 -5V -12V +5Vsb

Max Load: 35A 40A 16A 18A 0.8A 0.5A

Does that mean its got 2 12v rails? And therefore you're still unsure if its good enough lol?

 

[markkleb]

yes that has 2 12V rails. But be careful of specs put on the outside of the PS. There are VERY FEW PSs that live up to their specs.

While it may be fine (or it may explode and take your hardware with it) taking chances with a poor PS is silly. Always start with a good one from the beginning.

I like single rail non modular power supplies best.

 

[FarFarAway]

Take it this way, what part has an input into EVERY SINGLE component on your PC? Yes that's right, the PSU

Getting a bad PSU is like having a bad heart, everything else could be fine but the thing that pumps around the blood to the body breaks and your up sh1t creek without a paddle

 

[Niavlys77]

Ok well if I get a new psu I'm gonna go for one that'll last me for as long as possible, so what brand do you think would be best to go with? And size wise, do you think like 750w would be good?

 

[Niavlys77]

And actually, I'm thinking of maybe getting the Thermaltake Toughpower 1000w. Good choice choice for future proofing?

 

[MikeEnIke]

And actually, I'm thinking of maybe getting the Thermaltake Toughpower 1000w. Good choice choice for future proofing?

1000w is a little overboard i think, i'd probably go with a 600w, or a 500w and just upgrade the PSU now and then for my needs.

 

[Niavlys77]

Alright thanks for the help

 

[markkleb]

the 750 could run a crazy computer. PC Power & Cooling makes a very nice 750

http://www.pcpower.com/power-supply/silencer-750-quad-black.html

I heard some reviews of the Thermaltake PS that were ok but I would way rather go PC Power & Cooling.

One thing about The PC Power PSs is they tend to run above what is printed on their sides (other companies run less)

The Corsair 550 is a great deal if you can find one and can easily run a pair of 8800GTs in SLI and a quadcore.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004

 

[Niavlys77]

Well was looking around many places, and then found a guy near my place was selling a good psu cheap so I couldn't not buy it lol.

So I now got an OCZ EvoStream 720W and got it for only $125CAN. So I'm good to go. Thanks for all the suggestions and help guys, but I couldn't pass up on a good deal. Hopefully I made a good choice