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250w PSU help

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  • Power Supplies
  • Graphics Cards
  • Components
Last response: in Components
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September 12, 2013 1:04:34 PM

Ok so im trying to understand how my PSU works so i can upgrade my video card. Currently im using a 8400gs with no problems.
this is what is on the side of my PSU
output +12v / 14a -12v
+5v / 25a +5vsb
+3.3v / 18a
+5v & 3.3v 165w max +5v & +12v 218w max

So from reading i think the cpu and gpu use +12v and 14a = 140w. If thats true and my cpu is using 65 that leaves me with 75 for the gpu right? Thanks for the help in advance

More about : 250w psu

a c 2488 ) Power supply
a c 928 U Graphics card
September 12, 2013 1:19:14 PM

What card are you looking at?
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a c 166 ) Power supply
a c 342 U Graphics card
September 12, 2013 1:27:53 PM

steelo0 said:
Ok so im trying to understand how my PSU works so i can upgrade my video card. Currently im using a 8400gs with no problems.
this is what is on the side of my PSU
output +12v / 14a -12v
+5v / 25a +5vsb
+3.3v / 18a
+5v & 3.3v 165w max +5v & +12v 218w max

So from reading i think the cpu and gpu use +12v and 14a = 140w. If thats true and my cpu is using 65 that leaves me with 75 for the gpu right? Thanks for the help in advance

Roughly speaking, yes. I don't know what CPU you have, so I can't verify your math. The 8400GS is a 40W (3.3A) card. But basically any card that doesn't need a PSU power cable, will be OK. The HD 7750 is a 55W (4.6A) card at max and should be about the max I'd trust with that PSU.
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September 12, 2013 2:04:29 PM

SR-71 Blackbird said:
What card are you looking at?


i was thinking 5570 or gt 240? The games i plan on playing r csgo league of legends and thats it.
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September 12, 2013 2:05:27 PM

clutchc said:
steelo0 said:
Ok so im trying to understand how my PSU works so i can upgrade my video card. Currently im using a 8400gs with no problems.
this is what is on the side of my PSU
output +12v / 14a -12v
+5v / 25a +5vsb
+3.3v / 18a
+5v & 3.3v 165w max +5v & +12v 218w max

So from reading i think the cpu and gpu use +12v and 14a = 140w. If thats true and my cpu is using 65 that leaves me with 75 for the gpu right? Thanks for the help in advance

Roughly speaking, yes. I don't know what CPU you have, so I can't verify your math. The 8400GS is a 40W (3.3A) card. But basically any card that doesn't need a PSU power cable, will be OK. The HD 7750 is a 55W (4.6A) card at max and should be about the max I'd trust with that PSU.


im using a athlon x2 4800+
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Best solution

a c 2488 ) Power supply
a c 928 U Graphics card
September 12, 2013 2:08:24 PM

Here's what you need at a great price , and it's semi-modular.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $24.99
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-12 17:07 EDT-0400)
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September 12, 2013 2:16:49 PM

SR-71 Blackbird said:
Here's what you need at a great price , and it's semi-modular.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $24.99
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-12 17:07 EDT-0400)


it it necessary for those cards? this is a really old computer and dont want to spend to much when im going to end up buying a whole new computer soon. Just need something to last a few more months.
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a c 2488 ) Power supply
a c 928 U Graphics card
September 12, 2013 2:18:37 PM

You can try it , but I'd recommend more power.

Try it , just remember the PSU , I posted.

Take care!
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a c 166 ) Power supply
a c 342 U Graphics card
September 12, 2013 2:22:40 PM

The Athlon 64 X2 4800+ is a 110W (9.2A @ +12V) device. So maxed out, it and the the GT 240 (70W/5.9A) would be too much. The HD 5570 (43W/3.6A) would be OK-ish. Check your PSU's +12V rating again. Are you saying the +12V or -12V rating is 14A? If so, even the HD 7750 would be pushing it.

But your best solution would be a new PSU. See SR 71 Blackbird's suggestion.
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September 12, 2013 3:54:49 PM

clutchc said:
The Athlon 64 X2 4800+ is a 110W (9.2A @ +12V) device. So maxed out, it and the the GT 240 (70W/5.9A) would be too much. The HD 5570 (43W/3.6A) would be OK-ish. Check your PSU's +12V rating again. Are you saying the +12V or -12V rating is 14A? If so, even the HD 7750 would be pushing it.

But your best solution would be a new PSU. See SR 71 Blackbird's suggestion.


am i wrong? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168... 65 watts? or is that not correct.
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a c 166 ) Power supply
a c 342 U Graphics card
September 12, 2013 5:35:23 PM

If you have it in an AM2 socket, it would be 89W or 65W depending on the model. The 939 socket used the 110W model. I used the highest for safety sake.
You can find the exact model of that processor here: http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/K8/TYPE-Athlon%2064%20X2....
AMD made the Athlon 64 X2 4800+ in many variations. Hard to remember now days. It's been awhile since that was a popular chip.
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September 12, 2013 6:39:26 PM

clutchc said:
If you have it in an AM2 socket, it would be 89W or 65W depending on the model. The 939 socket used the 110W model. I used the highest for safety sake.
You can find the exact model of that processor here: http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/K8/TYPE-Athlon%2064%20X2....
AMD made the Athlon 64 X2 4800+ in many variations. Hard to remember now days. It's been awhile since that was a popular chip.


haha alright yea old computer going to buy a whole new one soon just upgrading a lil bit to hold me off for a couple months its a am2 so i should be fine with the 5570 i hope lol
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a c 166 ) Power supply
a c 342 U Graphics card
September 12, 2013 6:57:17 PM

Yeah, no problem then. You may even get by with a HD 7750.
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September 12, 2013 9:11:55 PM

clutchc said:
Yeah, no problem then. You may even get by with a HD 7750.


looked up a few more cards what do you think about a 9500 gt? http://www.hwcompare.com/4101/geforce-8400-gs-512mb-vs-... if thats right its only 10more watts then the 8400 gs but i dont want to risk it if that information is incorrect
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a c 166 ) Power supply
a c 342 U Graphics card
September 13, 2013 8:15:33 AM

The info is correct, but with its slow, outdated DDR2 VRAM... it would be slower and use more power than the HD 5570 you were looking at earlier.
http://www.hwcompare.com/253/geforce-9500-gt-ddr2-vs-ra...

You must be looking at used cards. Are you checking ebay, or where? Do you have a budget limit?
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September 13, 2013 12:57:25 PM

clutchc said:
The info is correct, but with its slow, outdated DDR2 VRAM... it would be slower and use more power than the HD 5570 you were looking at earlier.
http://www.hwcompare.com/253/geforce-9500-gt-ddr2-vs-ra...

You must be looking at used cards. Are you checking ebay, or where? Do you have a budget limit?


all of the above i had a budget limit and i found something im happy with thanks for the help. I got a new 4650 DDR3 1GB. I should be fine as far as the 250w.
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a c 311 ) Power supply
a c 119 U Graphics card
September 13, 2013 3:43:49 PM

steelo0 said:
SR-71 Blackbird said:
What card are you looking at?


i was thinking 5570 or gt 240? The games i plan on playing r csgo league of legends and thats it.


Hi - Agree with Blackbird. You might be able to get by with the gt240, even then it is a gamble. The recommended +12v amps for
a system with a gt240 is 18, you have 14. For a 5570 it's 24 +12v amps. So, yes there is a little
headroom built in, but you also have to consider that PSU might no longer (if ever) delivers it's
rated power, due to aging and the fact that many PSU mfg's overstate and outright lie about their power specs.

I wouldn't risk either of those cards personally.
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