Could I safely run my build with my current PSU?

Plasmio · May 17, 2013

So, after finally getting a POST problem sorted out, it was brought to my attention that my PSU, by Nvidia's standards, is too weak to run a GTX 660.
Here is my build: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Y0nz
According to PCPartPicker, I have power TO SPARE while running a GTX 660, but Nvidia's lowest recommended power supply is at 450. Is it possible for me to run my build safely with a 430 watt bronze PSU?

dietrich1 · May 17, 2013

it would technically work, but it's like puttin new wine in an old bag or however that parable goes. you'd be on the borderline of brownin out yr system and could hurt it .

Plasmio · May 17, 2013

Should PCPartPicker's wattage estimation be considered correct? If so, I have more than 30 watts in reserve.

dietrich1 · May 17, 2013

yeah i mean 30 watts is a pretty thin line in today's pc's. i'm not exactly sure how much power each componenet uses, but at any given time, i mean if they start gasping for power and they don't get it they have no choice but to shut down. it'll most likely hurt your psu from workin full load too long but could also do damage to other stuff

i'd personally get a new psu in the 600 watt range that way you can keep it for a long time. keep the packaging and everything so like you can hand it in for replacement if it fails in years down the road. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151095

i'd google the downfalls of underpowering pc parts and if you're not willing to take the risks, then buy somethin like that. it stinks havin to shell out cash but PSUs are one of those pieces you don't wanna really skimp on.

Immaculate · May 17, 2013

PCPP says 350 Newegg says 450... pretty wild there right

killerhurtalot · May 17, 2013

dietrich1 :

I hate wattage estimators and everything about them. The actual power consumption doesn't get ANYWHERE CLOSE to them. They assume you have the shittiest of the shitty PSUs that will literally fail when they go anywhere near their branded limit.

http://www.legitreviews.com/article/2023/11/

every single damn review that's using the latest hardware (this one uses 3960X with TDP of 130W (5W higher than the X4 965) maxes out at just over 300w even when overclocked. (ok fine... they're using a SSD and not a HDD... add a couple watts to the total...)

Your PSU will be fine...... 600w is way overkill... not to mention the efficiency will drop a ton when it's at half load versus 2/3rds load...

dietrich1 · May 17, 2013

killerhurtalot :

yeah this is true bro. i didn't take into consideration what brand you have. if you have a good quality one, don't bother upgrading, but if you think you're gonna use it for future pc hardware, then i'd get like a 600 watt just so you'll be set. don't be scared with the higher number wattage like your bill's gonna skyrocket. the components PULL the power so it'll only take what it needs that's the beauty of whatever i still think little goblins are in there powerin my stuff heh but yeah it's whatever you want yr ceiling to be like. if you want to get by, then you got it already. if you want more elbow room for future more power hungry hardware, get a 600. don't worry about singl vs multi rail. they both have their advantages. just make sure the efficiency is at least a bronze rating like what you got. bro it's the weekend let's get crunk.

Fulgurant · May 17, 2013

Plasmio :

It should be fine. Nvidia (and AMD) make recommendations based on generic power supplies, the advertised specs for which are less than reliable. The 450 W recommendation, in other words, is not for people who go to the trouble to investigate the quality of their PSU and how much power their specific configuration needs.

Your power supply is a good one, though. It supplies about 336 Watts of continuous power on the +12V rail.

Your GPU shouldn't consume more than a maximum of about 133 Watts. It's harder to find concrete real-world numbers for your CPU (because so many review sites simply measure power draw at the wall outlet instead of measuring individual components), but given that your CPU has a TDP of 125W, it shouldn't ever draw anywhere close to the ~200 Watts you should have to spare at 12V after accounting for the video card.

Unless you're having a problem, I wouldn't worry about it. If you want to be safe though, and if you still have time, you might return the PSU for a larger one.

Fulgurant · May 17, 2013

killerhurtalot :

dietrich1 :

I hate wattage estimators and everything about them. The actual power consumption doesn't get ANYWHERE CLOSE to them. They assume you have the shittiest of the shitty PSUs that will literally fail when they go anywhere near their branded limit.

http://www.legitreviews.com/article/2023/11/

every single damn review that's using the latest hardware (this one uses 3960X with TDP of 130W (5W higher than the X4 965) maxes out at just over 300w even when overclocked. (ok fine... they're using a SSD and not a HDD... add a couple watts to the total...)

Your PSU will be fine...... 600w is way overkill... not to mention the efficiency will drop a ton when it's at half load versus 2/3rds load...

Well said.

Plasmio · May 17, 2013

Fulgurant :

Plasmio :

It should be fine. Nvidia (and AMD) make recommendations based on generic power supplies, the advertised specs for which are less than reliable. The 450 W recommendation, in other words, is not for people who go to the trouble to investigate the quality of their PSU and how much power their specific configuration needs.

Your power supply is a good one, though. It supplies about 336 Watts of continuous power on the +12V rail.

Your GPU shouldn't consume more than a maximum of about 133 Watts. It's harder to find concrete real-world numbers for your CPU (because so many review sites simply measure power draw at the wall outlet instead of measuring individual components), but given that your CPU has a TDP of 125W, it shouldn't ever draw anywhere close to the ~200 Watts you should have to spare at 12V after accounting for the video card.

Unless you're having a problem, I wouldn't worry about it. If you want to be safe though, and if you still have time, you might return the PSU for a larger one.

Yeah, I looked into returning it, but it's past it's 30 day warranty, so I either try my build with my current PSU or wait and get a higher wattage one.

Plasmio · May 17, 2013

Taking into consideration what's been said, I may just try it out.

killerhurtalot · May 17, 2013

Plasmio :

Fulgurant :

Yeah, I looked into returning it, but it's past it's 30 day warranty, so I either try my build with my current PSU or wait and get a higher wattage one.

your PSU will work fine.

killerhurtalot · May 17, 2013

Fulgurant :

Plasmio :

It should be fine. Nvidia (and AMD) make recommendations based on generic power supplies, the advertised specs for which are less than reliable. The 450 W recommendation, in other words, is not for people who go to the trouble to investigate the quality of their PSU and how much power their specific configuration needs.

Your power supply is a good one, though. It supplies about 336 Watts of continuous power on the +12V rail.

Your GPU shouldn't consume more than a maximum of about 133 Watts. It's harder to find concrete real-world numbers for your CPU (because so many review sites simply measure power draw at the wall outlet instead of measuring individual components), but given that your CPU has a TDP of 125W, it shouldn't ever draw anywhere close to the ~200 Watts you should have to spare at 12V after accounting for the video card.

Unless you're having a problem, I wouldn't worry about it. If you want to be safe though, and if you still have time, you might return the PSU for a larger one.

that's also a old CX430 model. The newer ones has max rated of 12V@32A which is 384W. More than enough for his set-up.

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