Is my PSU good enough for a XFX 7850?

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MattBeastblood

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Mar 25, 2013
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So the PSU is 300W. It is a Gateway DX4870-UB308, i3-2130 cpu, 6gb RAM, and

I'm going to install a XFX 7850 FX-785A-ZNL4 to the PCI port, but the XFX website entry for this GPU says I need minimum of 500W PSU. Is that true? I know the i3-2130 uses very little wattage, so I'm not sure if I actually need 500W. I'm sure it couldn't hurt to get one, but since what I'm pretty sure the actual draw of the 7850 is only 130W, I'm not sure if it's even necessary.]

Also, I've looked up to see if there's any bottleneck issues with this CPU/GPU combo but I've read a few places it's fine. Hopefully this gateway mobo will allow me to upgrade the CPU at some point, but at least I have a great GPU to use in another PC if I go that route.
 
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jasont78

jasont78

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i wouldnt unless you like hot, noisy, then smoky psu's spend an extra 60 bucks and dont risk your whole system. btw your gateway psu in your compu might say 300 watt on the sticker doesnt mean it will handle 300 watt on the 12v rail. it might have 200watt on the 12v rail and the rest on the 5v and 3.3v rails which hardly get used anymore, not to mention oems put the cheapest parts in they can get their hands on typically. i still remember about 12 years ago do the same thing only it was an oem 450w psu and it burnt out on my new system on the first time it powered up and i can tell you that system wasnt yet overclocked
 
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bignastyid

bignastyid

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You will need a new power supply a 300w psu will not power your system plus a HD7850. Knowing what "quality" components Gateway uses I bet that psu only has, maybe, 20a on the 12v rail, not enough to power the gpu and your cpu at max load. More than likely when loaded(if it even turns on) the psu would blow and very possibly destroy the system with it.
 
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MattBeastblood

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The extra amperage isn't an issue is it? Even with the crappy gateway parts?

How about this one?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182032&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

More wattage and cheaper. I think it's only 19a, that's not a problem is it?

 
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MattBeastblood

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I ended up ordering this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182277

I hope it works with my computer but it should, tons of connectors, and it even supports crossfire though I won't be doing that on this computer. With my GPU and this PSU I think they should carry over to my next computer, whenever that is.
 
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Airm3n-1292454

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I would consider something other than that psu. While it would probably be fine for regular stuff at low loads it looks to be quite an old design and if you plan to keep using it for years you may find that having a more efficient psu would pay for itself in the long run. The corsair one mentioned above would run your system fine and probably with less usage. If you did plan to run crossfire then the 600w you selected would barely be able to run 2x 7850's if they require 21 amps anyways or at least it would be so close to the max that your psu would most likely die in a very short time.
 
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MattBeastblood

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Crap, my PSU isn't on that list. It says to replace anything not on that list. That sucks. I'm gonna see if they can change my order. Thanks for the list though, that's helpful
 
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Airm3n-1292454

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Well its more of a crapshoot if you pick another one. It may be good maybe it isn't. But the ones on the list there have a well known reputation and its a lot more likely to get one that will work solidly for years. The corsair units I have have 5 year warranty and the axi one I have is 7 years. Chances are they aren't going to warranty something for that long unless they are confident its gonna last at least that long. If you look at the one you ordered it doesn't inspire confidence showing only :
"Limited Warranty period (parts): 1 year"
"Limited Warranty period (labor): 1 year"
 
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MattBeastblood

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I actually changed my order to this one because it's on the list on Tier 3

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817194090

It's only 450W but at least it's better quality. Only has 1 PCI connector but the 7850 only needs one anyways
 
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MattBeastblood

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The new one I changed the order to actually has a 3 year warranty so it should be good. It has a good rating on newegg too which is a good sign, only 2 people rated it anything below 5 eggs

This one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817194090
 
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