Sign in with
Sign up | Sign in
Your question

Is my psu enough to handle my new graphics card?

Tags:
  • Computers
  • Graphics Cards
  • Graphics
Last response: in Graphics & Displays
Share
November 16, 2013 12:11:34 PM

I recently added a Sapphire HD 7870 GHZ Edition 2GB into my setup and lately when it hits higher loads in games my computer freezes and eventually gives me a wierd graphics glitch and my computer crashes. I've stopped gaming and it's all fine as I speak, but I think I've traced the problem to my psu. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300951058675

I ran tests on everything else. My psu is older and I'm unsure of any of it's specs as it's a cheap psu.

Can anyone shed some light before I fork over what little cash I have for a new psu?

More about : psu handle graphics card

a b U Graphics card
November 16, 2013 12:21:22 PM

It looks like an bad PSU with 70% eff but even with that it should handle the GPU.
m
0
l
a c 182 U Graphics card
November 16, 2013 12:41:23 PM

StarBG said:
It looks like an bad PSU with 70% eff but even with that it should handle the GPU.


Efficiency does not work that way.
It only determines the amount pulled from the wall socket.

For example :

A 1000W PSU with 80% efficiency will draw 1200W from the wall to deliver 1000W, the rest is lost in heat and vibration.
Of course that is assuming the powersupply actually CAN deliver 1000W.

Now what ACTUALLY determines wattage is the Amperage on the different rails.

So lets say a PSU provide 60Amps on the 12volt rail and it only has ONE rail.

60A x 12v = 720W,

Now since the 12v rail is pretty much the ONLY one that is relevant in modern systems, that is what you need to look at to determine wattage.

For example. The Corsair CX600M is rated at 600W, BUT only has 46Amps on the 12v rail. That means it only delivers 552W.

Now there are HUNDREDS of lying PSU manufacturers out there, so don't trust the rated wattage.

Anyway, now, unfortuantely that is not the ONLY variable. HEAT is important to, often they can not even deliver the give 552W above a certain temp.

So now to the point, that power supply is CRAP, sorry for saying so but it is.

It is likely rippling HARD and causing your system to freak out. Replace it!
m
0
l
!