Do I need a new power supply for a new graphics card?

DavAguirre

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Feb 16, 2014
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Hello!

I recently bought a new Geforce GTX-760 graphics card for my PC. I now noticed that the recommended requirements state I need minimum 500w power supply, and my pc only has a 460w power supply. The graphics card does work and I can play games with it (except Crysis 2, it keeps shutting down randomly while playing).

The question, is it necessary to get a new power supply or can I stay with the one I already have?
If I do need a new one, what do you recommend for my PC, how to know which one is compatible with the motherboard?

Here are my specs:

Computer: HP Pavilion Elite HPE-450f PC

Intel Core i7-870 Processor

GTX760-DC2OC-2GD5 Graphics Card

8GB DDR3 system memory

1TB Hard Drive

MS-7613 (Iona-GL8E) Motherboard

460W Power supply

 
Solution
Shutting down is not a good sign. I strongly recommend you update your psu asap. Do not overclock anything in the interim and do not push your system in the meanwhile. You can probably get away with light use but you are risking a lot over an $80 fix.

For less than that you can get some really good psu's like these:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256071
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438014
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139048

Protect your system and give yourself peace of mind to enjoy it. You've spent what, over $1,000.00 when you add all your parts up? Don't risk damaging it over skimping $70. Maybe you can sell your old psu; so if you get like...

jnewegger23

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Shutting down is not a good sign. I strongly recommend you update your psu asap. Do not overclock anything in the interim and do not push your system in the meanwhile. You can probably get away with light use but you are risking a lot over an $80 fix.

For less than that you can get some really good psu's like these:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256071
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438014
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139048

Protect your system and give yourself peace of mind to enjoy it. You've spent what, over $1,000.00 when you add all your parts up? Don't risk damaging it over skimping $70. Maybe you can sell your old psu; so if you get like $20-$40 for it then you really aren't spending much at all. The reason I recommended the higher psu's btw so you don't have this issue again any time soon.
 
Solution

jnewegger23

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I see the reasoning behind your question. However, with your new psu being strong enough it will distribute the power to the components as they need them so no need to worry as your components are new enough to work with almost any psu. It's more a matter of not straining the psu as the power source and failing to meet those needs. Good question but for our purposes no you don't need to worry about that.
 

pcgaming98

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Jan 24, 2014
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Maxmimum wattage? The only thing that comes to mind is CPU voltage but that's if you're overclocking. Other than that, no, you can get as big a power supply as you need, and it wont harm your components, only if it's faulty then it could.
 


there is no such thing as maximum wattage a component will handle.a component will only draw the current (watts or amps)that it needs to function within its manufactured specifications.in other words if a component draws 200w and your power supply is 1200w,the component will only use the 200w it was designed to use. i think you are confusing current with voltage.if a component is designed to run on 5vdc and you power it with 10vdc you will kill it.so dont worry about getting too big of a power supply.can only go too small on that one.