PSU and Graphics Card Compatibilty Recommendations?

taylorbh

Honorable
Apr 29, 2013
4
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10,510
I am looking to buy a new power supply and graphics card. I'm looking at the Geforce GTX 650 Ti Boost (2GB). The power supply I have now is not adequate for this card. I'm not sure what kind power supply this card requires. I've been looking at the Corsair Builder Series CX600 600W ATX 12V v2.3 80 Plus Bronze Certified PFC Power Supply or the Corsair HX Series HX750 750W ATX 12V 2.3/EPS12V 2.1 SLI Ready Crossfire Ready 80 Plus Certified.

I would appreciate if anyone could tell me if either of these power supplies are compatible with this card, or if not, what PSU is?

Please let me know if any information on my computer is needed (DxDiag report, etc.) Thank you!
 
Solution
I dislike 550-700W units. For the most part they are more then you need for a single GPU, but not enough if you want to run two. So you are just spending more money for a PSU that you'll never use.

You can get whatever you want, it's your money:p I tend to make a couple of assumptions when talking to people about PSUs. First, that most of us are running one GPU. If so, nearly all of them will have system loads <300W. A 7950 system will need around 325, 350-375 for a 7970. If you are using a 7870 or GTX660TI or less your load will be less then 300W assuming a standard rig. (one or two drives, no water pump, no LED lights, etc.) Two, that a bigger PSU costs more then a smaller PSU. This is the bigger iffy one because of...

Dixevil

Honorable
Apr 29, 2013
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10,510
I wouldn't go for anything less than 550W, better to be safe than sorry. You never know what you might need in the nearest future.

Good options are Enermax, Seasonic, Corsair, OCZ

You don't have to worry about compatibility as all you need are enough Watts.
 

4745454b

Titan
Moderator
That's what irritates me about the 550-650W PSU. Bigger then you'd need for a single GPU, but to small to run two. They are really for the dumb, or for those running extra things like many hdds, water pumps, lights, etc. The 650TI boost still needs only one 6pin plug right? I know the 650TI is a ~105W card. I'm pretty sure the boost is <150W. With a CPU and normal parts, this is less then 300W. Why buy a PSU that supplies 200+W more then you need?

So, any PSU that has 450W should be fine?

I wouldn't say any. Any QUALITY PSU that is 450-500W will be more then enough. No need for something massive. I would say Antec, Corsair, Enermax, Seasonic, or XFX in alphabetical order. Coolermaster, OCZ, Thermaltake have to many "iffy" units still out there to just say buy their name.
 

taylorbh

Honorable
Apr 29, 2013
4
0
10,510


Would it be okay to get the 600W PSU now, just in case for other needs in the future? For example, if I get a ~500W now and need to run something more demanding in the future, I would need to purchase a more powerful PSU in the end, right?
Also, are modular PSU's better than the ones that are not? I've read mixed reviews.
Thank you both for all of your help! I appreciate it!
 

4745454b

Titan
Moderator
I dislike 550-700W units. For the most part they are more then you need for a single GPU, but not enough if you want to run two. So you are just spending more money for a PSU that you'll never use.

You can get whatever you want, it's your money:p I tend to make a couple of assumptions when talking to people about PSUs. First, that most of us are running one GPU. If so, nearly all of them will have system loads <300W. A 7950 system will need around 325, 350-375 for a 7970. If you are using a 7870 or GTX660TI or less your load will be less then 300W assuming a standard rig. (one or two drives, no water pump, no LED lights, etc.) Two, that a bigger PSU costs more then a smaller PSU. This is the bigger iffy one because of sales. Third, is that there is a more efficient PSU at a similar price. You could get an 600W 80 Bronze for perhaps the same/similar price as a 500W Silver. 300W load remember? So at load (gaming) that 600W PSU will be running at 50%, or around 82% efficient. The 500W will be at 60%, but at around 85%. The silver will save you more money in the long run by pulling less power from the wall socket. Whats worse for the 600W unit is when you are just watching youtube/hulu or sitting at the desktop. Then you are down to around 100W. That is sub 20% load for the 600W unit and will probably be under 80% efficient. But that "lower" 500W unit will be right at 20%, and should be at 82%. Even at idle it will be better off then the larger unit.

IF you were maybe going to upgrade to CF/SLI then maybe. But don't kid yourself there either. Do you even have a board that will support it? Does your case have enough air flow? If you really might then by all means get the PSU now that allows it. But this is where I'm at. I wasn't sure what my GPU setup would have been. I bought the Antec 750W Green. I went with a single 7950. I will probably sell this one soon and go with a 450-500W gold unit. Turns out I didn't need the bigger PSU and now I'll end up buying two of them. (I bought the Antec last year.)
 
Solution

taylorbh

Honorable
Apr 29, 2013
4
0
10,510


Thank you very much, 4745454b! It sounds like bigger is not better in this case. I will take you advice and save the money! Thank you again, I appreciate it!
 

4745454b

Titan
Moderator
To be perfectly clear there is nothing wrong with buying a bigger then needed PSU. But if its going to cost more up front then one closer to what you really need then there isn't much point. It's not like plugging in a 600W unit will cause your computer to blow up. Just make sure you get a quality PSU.