How big of a power supply do I need for my computer?

darkdane7 · Dec 28, 2013

I've been having a problem with my computer crashing while I play games. It usually only happens with newer games, even if they're on the lowest settings. I'm usually able to prevent it from crashing by just running the games in windowed mode though. I'm pretty sure the issue is that my power supply is not enough. I have a 500W power supply that was sufficient before, but my processor stopped working and I was forced to upgrade my motherboard, processor, and RAM. It never crashed like this until I upgrade my computer, and I'm assuming it's because the motherboard, processor, and RAM require more power than my old ones.

These are my current specs:
Processor: AMD FX 6300 Black Edition 3.5GHz Six-Core Socket AM3+
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-78LMT-USB3 Socket AM3+ mATX 760G AMD Motherboard
Graphics Card: Nvidia GeForce 8800GT
Power Supply: Antec 500W
Hard Drive: Intel 530 Series 240GB Sata 6.0Gb/s internal SSD
I also have a 500GB internal hard drive but I don't really know anything more about it than that
RAM: 2 x 2GB DDR3
I'm also running Windows 7 Ultimate 64

I received a 600W power supply for Christmas which I assume will be enough for what I have now, but I'm going to be upgrading my graphics card soon and I need to make sure the power supply will be big enough to support the new graphics card. I'm pretty sure this is the one I'll be getting because I know someone who has an extra: http://www.amd.com/us/products/workstation/graphics/ati-firepro-3d/w7000/Pages/w7000.aspx

Would a 600W power supply be enough for my computer once I get that new graphics card, or else how big of a power supply would I probably need? I'll likely also get 2 more sticks of RAM sometime in the future so I want to take that into account too. Also, I know that graphics card isn't made for gaming, but how good would it be for gaming?

nostall · Dec 28, 2013

Wow, I hope you are doing professional level CAD and other drawing and designing, cause that is a $700 card designed for doing those things. It doesn't draw much power at 150 watts or about 12-15amps so a quality 600watt PSU will do fine.
Here's a Google link (search) that, if it opens, has some more info about gaming with a work station card.
https://www.google.com/#q=workstation+vs+desktop+graphics
Hope this all helps.
I also just noticed, it only has Display Port output: no VGA, DVI nor HDMI. I don't know if there are any adapters for Display Port (so you can plug into the video card, then the adapter, then into your monitor), so your monitor may need to have a DP input connection point.

darkdane7 · Dec 28, 2013

nostall :

Hey, thanks for the response. I don't use my computer for anything like that usually, but now that my computer will be capable of doing it well I might try getting into those sorts of things. I was planning on trying to get a card for around $200 - $300, but my uncle has an extra one of those cards lying around that he said he could give me.
This is the power supply I got for Christmas, would you consider this to be a quality 600W power supply? http://www.bestbuy.com/site/600b-600w-active-pfc-power-supply/2427003.p?id=1219072713094&skuId=2427003&st=categoryid$abcat0507009&cp=1&lp=1
Also, will 600W be enough if I buy more RAM, additional hard drives, etc in the future? I'm not sure if it matters at all, but I forgot to mention that I have a DVD-RW drive.
Thanks for mentioning the display port output, I was assuming it was HDMI. I looked around a little online and it looks like I shouldn't have any trouble getting adapters for the cables I have.

Dark Lord of Tech · Dec 28, 2013

It's a decent power supply made by HEC , with a good 49amps on the 12v rail.

nostall · Dec 28, 2013

darkdane7 :

nostall :

Hey, thanks for the response. I don't use my computer for anything like that usually, but now that my computer will be capable of doing it well I might try getting into those sorts of things. I was planning on trying to get a card for around $200 - $300, but my uncle has an extra one of those cards lying around that he said he could give me.
This is the power supply I got for Christmas, would you consider this to be a quality 600W power supply? http://www.bestbuy.com/site/600b-600w-active-pfc-power-supply/2427003.p?id=1219072713094&skuId=2427003&st=categoryid$abcat0507009&cp=1&lp=1
Also, will 600W be enough if I buy more RAM, additional hard drives, etc in the future? I'm not sure if it matters at all, but I forgot to mention that I have a DVD-RW drive.
Thanks for mentioning the display port output, I was assuming it was HDMI. I looked around a little online and it looks like I shouldn't have any trouble getting adapters for the cables I have.

As SR-71 says, should work just fine even with more RAM and another HD or two and your DVD.

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How big of a power supply do I need for my computer?

darkdane7

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Dark Lord of Tech

nostall

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darkdane7

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Dark Lord of Tech

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nostall

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