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Potential Underpowered GPU

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  • GPUs
  • Components
Last response: in Components
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February 21, 2014 5:40:42 PM

Hi all,

Having rebuilt my gaming PC and being left with a surplus of parts I am using them to upgrade my family computer.

The two components in particular are a Gigabyte GTX 670 2gb and a Silverstone Strider Essentials 500w 80 plus PSU.

The GPU is stated on the box as reccomended for a minimum PSU of 600w however the system itself will only be drawing power for a single HDD, a DVD RW optical drive and the motherboard. (CPU is an i7 3770, no overclock on any components and no headroom for upgrades needed)

Is this okay? Or do i risk damaging components.

Research has told me that the main difference between safety and not is in a quality PSU. This PSU is relatively new (no more than a year) and was originally in my setup with the GTX 670 for 2 months without issue. My setup also ran more HDDs and the i5 4670K (not yet OC'd) which I'm told also draws more power.

Please advise,

Regards

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February 21, 2014 7:54:17 PM

The GTX 670 is a 170W gfx card (14.2 amps @ +12V) maxed out. http://www.hwcompare.com/12500/geforce-gtx-670/ Slightly higher during occasional peaks.

If this is your PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?gclid=CMPJpf...
...you should be marginally OK with its 34 amp +12V rail.
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February 21, 2014 8:23:18 PM

Thanks for your reply,

That is the PSU I have.

Could you please elaborate on "marginally okay" ?

Ie. will it be okay in all but the situations that stress the GPU to it's limits and is there any potential damage to equipment or are there safety measures in place

Regards
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February 21, 2014 8:29:20 PM

If the card were to be used on a daily basis for high end gaming for hours on end, I'd suggest a bigger PSU. But for everyday use and occasional gaming, it will be fine. The Siverstone is a good PSU: http://www.eggxpert.com/forums/thread/323050.aspx
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February 21, 2014 8:40:48 PM

I don't think you introduce much risk due to an under powered PSU. It is more of a question of whether or not the graphics card will operate at that wattage. As long as the cooling fans operate, your risk of damaging the system (by a PSU below the recommended wattage) are minimal.

The risks of damage to the PC from a PSU (apart from user error) are usually when the PSU overheats or it shorts out electrically.
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February 21, 2014 9:27:44 PM

terry4536 said:
I don't think you introduce much risk due to an under powered PSU. It is more of a question of whether or not the graphics card will operate at that wattage. As long as the cooling fans operate, your risk of damaging the system (by a PSU below the recommended wattage) are minimal.

The risks of damage to the PC from a PSU (apart from user error) are usually when the PSU overheats or it shorts out electrically.


Thanks for your reply,

I may be wrong, but it was my understanding that a PSU could overheat and/or short out electrically with a potential "ripple" effect to connected components if the components attempted to draw more than the PSU was capable of. (A rudimentary explanation).

That being said, this PSU and GPU had been running quite nicely in my build (a pretty huge oversight on my behalf to not check the compatibility of the two beforehand, but such is the price of teaching myself) and the build that is going into has less power intesive components so logically I thought it should be alright.

I will outline the risks to the owner of the computer and he can decide. At the moment the gaming that happens is BF3 and World of Tanks pushed to a 32" tv.

Thankyou both for your replies

Regards
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