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Upgrading GPU and wondering if PSU can handle it

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  • GPUs
  • Power Supplies
  • Components
Last response: in Components
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May 9, 2014 1:17:20 AM

Hi,

I tried looking at guides but failed to ease my mind about it. So im asking for help before i burn something...

I decided to replace my RAM and GPU with:
MSI Radeon R9 270 "Gaming" 2048MB GDDR 5 PCI-Express™ 16x - replacing old GPU
Crucial PC3-12800 "Ballistix Sport" 8192MB 1600 MHz DDR III - replacing old RAM

The PSU i at present time have is this one. Random pic from google but its exactly the same. Supposedly rated at 600W but numbers dont add up... Also R9 GPU needs 500W supply and im not sure if combined power output translates to ability to power 1 source that demands 500W.
What i also have is:
Intel i5 cpu 750@2.67GHz
Xonar D1 sound card
2x HD (one is SSD disk)
1 old TV tunner


Thank you for any info you may provide and feel free to ask for more data if needed.

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a b ) Power supply
May 9, 2014 4:15:03 AM

Your PSU is rated at 600w total output - the wattages shown for each rail add up to 598.6w, so they do add up all but for a negligible 1.4w, but labelling on LC units has a reputation for being inaccurate or misleading anyway, often sold as 600w when it's actually much less.

Whilst 600w is plenty for an R9 GPU, (500w recommendation includes a healthy amount of overhead) personally I wouldn't want to be using some obscure make of PSU to power it, LC brand is not considered to be a good make at all. If it fails it could take some motherboard components with it.

Get a Corsair or a Seasonic if funds will allow. You're paying for reliability and accurate labelling with those brands.
No point in pairing a high-end (and expensive) GPU with a low-end PSU that's already nearing the end of it's life probably. The R9 might just prove to be it's undoing.
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May 9, 2014 6:45:46 AM

Thx for help. Would you be able to recommend what power output on psu i should aim for? Id prefer to buy a psu that i can later use in a new rig.
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a b ) Power supply
May 9, 2014 7:18:43 AM

I'd recommend 700w Corsair or Seasonic. It'll cover anything you might upgrade to in the future, and still it won't be working flat out (which is something you should strive to avoid if you want it to serve you well).
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May 9, 2014 7:55:25 AM

Phillip Corcoran said:
I'd recommend 700w Corsair or Seasonic. It'll cover anything you might upgrade to in the future, and still it won't be working flat out (which is something you should strive to avoid if you want it to serve you well).


Could you elaborate on the bolded part? I suspect im missing something due to language gap. Thx
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