Is this power supply enough for my build?

Fumji · Feb 10, 2014

Basically I've been told by my friend that since my new upgrade I am most likely damaging my components as they are not getting enough power.

These are my specs:

PSU: TX 650w
GPU: GTX 780 3gb
CPU: i7 3770k
RAM: 2x4gb 1600 MHz corsair vengeance
HDD: 2x1TB 7200 rpm
MOBO: Z77-DS3H Gigabyte socket 1155

The external devices I always have connected are:
Logitech G430 Headset
Logitech G500 Mouse
Roccat Isku Keyboard
Two monitors: 24" 1080p 60Hz, 22" 720p Ancient LCD

FlyingHelmet-1373206 · Feb 10, 2014

You're friend is wrong. 650w is plenty

millwright · Feb 10, 2014

Exactly! Nvidia only calls for 600watt
http://www.geforce.com/hardware/desktop-gpus/geforce-gtx-780/specifications

Unless it is a piece of crap non brand name, even then, with 50 extra watts, you are probably still OK

Edit.
Too little power would only hurt the power supply, as it will put out what you connect it to regardless of the rating.
It will overheat, and could fail.

Demand controls load, in all electrical devices.

Fumji · Feb 10, 2014

Ok, thanks for the extremely quick response guys! I'll make sure to correct him.

Fumji · Feb 10, 2014

I've just told him and he still insists that 650 watts isn't enough and that with my set up the GPU alone can take up 600 watts alone. I don't believe him though, is he right?

ram1009 · Feb 10, 2014

You can never have too much power available. It's so cheap and easy to over-design with a larger than necessary PSU that I don't know why I have so much trouble convincing builders to do it. Stress (which creates heat) will kill any electrical component eventually. The more stress, the more heat. The smaller the PSU the more you are stressing it. It's as simple as that.

millwright · Feb 10, 2014

If the power supply fails, and it is not a quality one, then it could damage your computer.

Fumji · Feb 10, 2014

Thanks for the quick reply again. I have done a bit of browsing and have settled with this shiny new PSU. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Antec-Current-Gamer-Power-Supply/dp/B004BLMFUM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1392051555&sr=8-1&keywords=psu+900w#productDetails. What do you guys think of me upgrading to this?

millwright · Feb 10, 2014

Check my link!
The card only draws 250 watts @ full load.
http://www.geforce.com/hardware/desktop-gpus/geforce-gtx-780/specifications

There is no point in guessing when the facts are available. Google is your friend.

millwright · Feb 10, 2014

Unless you have a non brand name power supply now, it is a total waste of money.

Nvidia know how much power it takes to run their cards.
In fact the 600 watts is inflated, because they know people use crappy power supplies.
In reality a quality brand name(edited 550) watt would run that computer perfectly.

Fumji · Feb 10, 2014

Ok, sorry for going a bit stupid there. I did a quick reply without thinking what to actually write. I think I am going to purchase the Antec 900W PSU and have room for future upgrades. Thanks to everyone who replied here!

millwright · Feb 10, 2014

Sorry I meant a quality 550 watt.

millwright · Feb 10, 2014

The only upgrade that would require that big of power supply would be a second graphics card.

That only requires 800watts

ram1009 · Feb 10, 2014

Fumji :

Good for you. Pay no attention to those telling you it's too big. There's no such thing as too much power.

millwright · Feb 10, 2014

True, but there is such a thing as wasting money

ram1009 · Feb 10, 2014

millwright :

Wasted money to you is an insurance policy to someone with a little more wisdom.

millwright · Feb 10, 2014

It doesn't take wisdom to overbuilt something. Any idiot can do that with enough money.
I't dose however take wisdom to build it, properly.

You not only waste money on the purchase, a power supply too big wastes energy.

ram1009 · Feb 10, 2014

millwright :

Sorry but your ignorance is showing. A 1000W PSU costs no more to run than a 500W PSU. Do a little reading before you get into an argument about power supplies with someone who specifies them for a living.

millwright · Feb 10, 2014

It dose if you are running it way below the efficiency curve, granted is is a small amount, but it dose.
My background for 33 years was building power plants, and working on real transformers.
Sorry if I don't know as much as you.

And you are still wrong about getting a bigger power supply, than you need, unless you are buying low end power supplies.

ram1009 · Feb 10, 2014

millwright :

If you oversize a junk PSU you just have more junk. Almost all power supplies have an efficiency band that is centered at about 50% of rated wattage. I try never to run my PSUs above 50%. They run cooler and last longer and there's plenty of reserve power. All that for a few dollars more. That's what I call an insurance policy. I wish I could overbuild everything that easily.

sora · Feb 10, 2014

Fumji :

lolwhat

A 650W PSU is enough but if you're worried get a 750w psu.

Is this power supply enough for my build?

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