Radeon R9-280X PSU Requirements

junred56 · Oct 9, 2013

Hey guys, I was just wandering if a 500 watt power supply is capable of powering an R9-280X.
I have a Seasonic S12II 520 watt PSU. I'm not planning on overclocking it any further than the factory overclock.

I know that the R9-280X is just a rebranded 7970 and that card required a minimum of 500 watts.

Also, I have a question regarding the PCI connectors. The card I planning on getting needs 2 8-pin Power connectors and my power supply only has one 8-pin and one 6-pin. Is it okay to use a 6-pin to 8-pin power adapter to compensate for the lack of another 8-pin connector?

Appreciate your opinions guys. Thanks.

CaptainTom · Oct 10, 2013

junred56 :

Still 500w. I wouldn't worry as long as your CPU isn't super power hungry. Also you better overclock it! The 7970 is a legendary overclocker...

junred56 · Oct 10, 2013

CaptainTom :

Well, I have a 3570k at stock clocks. Not gonna overclock it until I get a good aftermarket cpu cooler.

What about the issue with the power connectors? Is it okay to use an adapter for the 8 pin?

CaptainTom · Oct 10, 2013

junred56 :

CaptainTom :

Well, I have a 3570k at stock clocks. Not gonna overclock it until I get a good aftermarket cpu cooler.

What about the issue with the power connectors? Is it okay to use an adapter for the 8 pin?

I cross-fired 2x 6950's on a 600w. This required two of those 6-pinn adapters. It never had any power problems. I believe it is ok to use those adapters. Also what is wrong with your PSU? It's Seasonic...

Mas3nk0 · Oct 12, 2013

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/MSI/R9_280X_Gaming/24.html

The maximum power consumption on R9 280X would indicate that you should be carefull with that PSU under benchmarks such as furmark as the card alone can go up to 330W.

http://www.eteknix.com/sapphire-amd-radeon-r9-280x-vapor-x-oc-3gb-graphics-card-review/15/

Total system under that furmark load did only go up until 460W but thats close with a 500W PSU.

junred56 · Oct 12, 2013

Mas3nk0 :

Yeah, but under normal gaming conditions, is it ok to use a 500 watt psu?

toyftw · Oct 12, 2013

junred56 :

Hi - Yes you are OK with that 520. It has 40 +12v amps and that system requires 30 +12v amps. You are good to go and can OC if you wish.

Yes, the adapter is OK to use.

DrBoo1Ghost · Oct 21, 2013

You probably could get away with it, but there is a Seasonic 620 Watt PSU for only $64.99...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151096

You'd definitely be good with that.

Brumle Pottitskal · Jan 30, 2014

I upgrade my psu to 750w because my old was to smal. But with the 750 I cant overclock my r9 280x card with that psu. If you want to overclock a little i recomand you to go for an 1000w or bigger. But if you not going to i can recomand 750 w psu

DrBoo1Ghost · Jan 30, 2014

CaptainTom :

junred56 :

Are u using the one that comes in the box?

WINTERLORD · Jul 20, 2014

would a cooler master real power pro 650w wich has 60amps be enough for 2x radeon 280x and my cpu draws 130watts

toyftw · Jul 20, 2014

WINTERLORD :

Hi - No, not enough. 2x R9 - 280x might be OK with a good quality 750w unit, but should really have
a good quality 850w unit for CF.
Also, the CM real power pro 650 does not have 60 +12v amps, it has 45 +12v amps and
is mfg by Acbel Poly, an OEM i wouldn't recommend for this kind of rig.

WINTERLORD · Jul 20, 2014

what kind of problems will I run into with a 750watt http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139051

my card is 2 gigabyte windforce version 2 450watt 280x overclocked

toyftw · Jul 20, 2014

WINTERLORD :

Hi again - Altho some sites suggest 900w for 280x in CF, that is the typical overstating wattage
to account for PSU's that don't deliver publ specs.

The CX750M altho a budget level unit does in fact have 62 +12v amps,
more than enough to run a sys with 2 - 280x's in CF. Actual max sys
pwr consumption is approx 243w for 1 card.

You are good to go with that PSU.

WINTERLORD · Jul 20, 2014

great thanks, do you think my 1st gen core i7 920@ 3.4ghz will bottle neck thease 2cards in crossfire?

toyftw · Jul 20, 2014

WINTERLORD :

Hi - Not real sure there, that CPU is tier 3 od Intel gaming CPU's on Toms HW CPU gaming
chart, so I presume there would be some bottlenecking.

lynchy75 · Nov 23, 2014

i bought a R9-280x i looked at alot of sites stating it needed a 500w psu i have a 750w and it blew up 10 mins after using my card ....i keep seeing ppl say 500w 750w but never do i see amps .....iv just bought another psu and still only 750w but iv also gone up the amps to 60amp rather then my old one that was only 25amps

toyftw · Nov 23, 2014

lynchy75 :

Hi again - If your old PSU had only 25 +12v amps then that was the problem. A system with an R9 280x
needs at least 30 +12v amps. Total wattage is not the important spec, +12v amps is. It appears
your 750w PSU that blew up was a "junk" PSU, and if that's the PSU that had 25 +12v amps
then it was def junk and not a true 750, a decent 750w PSU will have approx 60 +12 amps.

Radeon R9-280X PSU Requirements

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