Is 650W PSU enough for upgrade to GTX 780 6GB and new CPU cooler in Dell XPS 8500?

JakeCuddihy · Jul 24, 2014

Hello Tom's Hardware community, this is my first post! I currently own a Dell XPS 8500 with:

256 GB SSD
24 GB RAM
I7-3770 3.4
GTX 660
460W PSU

I render 3d scenes and am not satisfied by render times on my GPU. I want to upgrade my GTX 660 to a GTX 780 6GB. My CPU also reaches maximum temperatures of 80 degrees celsius when rendering, (even after cleaning dust). So, in addition to the GPU upgrade I plan to install a Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO - CPU Cooler and apply Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Paste to my CPU. Lastly I intend to replace my 460W PSU with a SeaSonic 650W PSU.

Will the GTX 780 6GB be compatible with my current configuration? Also, will the new 650W PSU be enough to support the TGX 780 and be compatible with my current configuration?

Thank you for taking the time to look at my question, have a great day!

EDIT: After looking around more, (which I did prior to asking this but should have looked harder, sorry) I see that my CPU and motherboard would probably need to upgraded to avoid bottle-necking with this card. Is it even worth pursuing upgrading this pc or should I instead make plans to start from scratch?

Dark Lord of Tech · Jul 24, 2014

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $69.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-07-24 13:56 EDT-0400

emdea22 · Jul 24, 2014

Will the GTX 780 6GB be compatible with my current configuration? - YES, with the addition of the Seasonic PSU
will the new 650W PSU be enough to support the TGX 780 and be compatible with my current configuration? - YES

I wouldn't upgrade the cpu as its plenty fast

JakeCuddihy · Jul 24, 2014

emdea22 :

Cool, so you don't think bottle-necking would be an issue with the I7-3770 and a GTX 780 6GB? I saw that mentioned in the first post of this thread.

JakeCuddihy · Jul 24, 2014

Thanks for the answer. Is this a better option than the SeaSonic PSU? Should I be looking for a 750W instead of 650W?

Dark Lord of Tech · Jul 24, 2014

It's a great power supply made by the best SuperFlower.

I would go to 750.

JakeCuddihy · Jul 24, 2014

Alright awesome, I like the price too! Do you think I would experience any bottle-necking between my CPU and the new GPU?

emdea22 · Jul 24, 2014

Seasonic makes better power supplies than Superflower and 750w is more than you need. EVGA are mostly budget alternatives to other PSUs

Dark Lord of Tech · Jul 24, 2014

Seasonic makes better power supplies than Superflower < Not any more.

Dark Lord of Tech · Jul 24, 2014

Here's a review of the 850W G2 , I own 2 of them.

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story6&reid=377

Performance (40% of the final score) - we're down to scoring time again. And, as with all other recent units from EVGA and Super Flower, this one will be a breeze to score. Pass for Gold, both cold and hot, means no points removed from a perfect score. Amazing ripple suppression the likes of which has only been seen a handful of times on this site means no points removed there. And finally, yes, this unit did manage to hold onto an average of 1.2% regulation in the hot box so no points come off there, either. This guy's getting a 10.

Functionality (20% of the final score) - full modularity. Lots of cables. Good cable lengths. Plenty of connectors. Switchable semi-fanless mode. Lots of goodies in the box. Nice size 16 gauge line cord. I really can't think of anything to complain about here, either. 10.

Value (20% of the final score) - $144.99 is the asking price of these at Newegg right about now. It shares this price with the Silverstone ST85F-GS. Now, about the only thing that unit has on this one is its much shallower depth. Other competition? What other competition? Coolmax? More money, if you can believe that. Corsair HX850? More money. Corsair RM850? More money. Themaltake Toughpower Grand? More money. Seasonic X-850 KM3? Way more money. EVGA has this category locked right down. 10.

Build Quality (20% of the final score) - I'm going to remove a point for the fan control wiring and be done with it on this one. Soldering is good enough to pass with no deductions, the AC line filter is pretty much all there in the end, the component selections are fantastic, and the capacitors are wall to wall Japanese. 9.5.

Vic 40 · Jul 24, 2014

If you don't mind that the psu isn't modular will the next already do fine,
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/xfx-power-supply-p1650snlb9
at least if you can order from ncix.

For the same money as the evga could you get this gold rated 750watt seasonic (still very good),
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/seasonic-power-supply-ssr750rm

emdea22 · Jul 24, 2014

I've had two superflower PSU fail on a mining rig of a friend which I recommended. He replaced them both with Seasonic and he's happy ever since. I'm not saying they are not good but certainly not as durable as seasonic PSUs are.

Maybe EVGA adds something worthwhile to the mix...

jeffredo · Jul 24, 2014

The SeaSonic gold 650W power supply you chose could probably run two GTX 780s. As far as your CPU bottlenecking a GTX 780 - absolutely not.

JakeCuddihy · Jul 24, 2014

Vic 40 :

Is there any downside to having more wattage than necessary?

JakeCuddihy · Jul 24, 2014

jeffredo :

Excellent, it sounds like everything works out. Thanks for the advice!

vagrancyx · Jul 24, 2014

emdea22 :

budget alternatives? EVGA's supernova's are some of the most highly rated.

Ytyoussef · Jul 24, 2014

I wouldn't do an sli on 650w, but it is indeed enough power for what you need it for.

JakeCuddihy · Jul 24, 2014

Ytyoussef :

Thanks, I'll make sure to remember that.

Vic 40 · Jul 24, 2014

JakeCuddihy :

No,the pc will only draw what it uses (well a little more,efficiency still plays a role).The only thing with some psu's is that efficiency takes a dive under 20% load,but with a gold rated psu that's often not such a big deal,these are most of the times even on lower loads still quite efficient.

JakeCuddihy · Jul 24, 2014

What does everyone think of that CPU cooler? Is there something a little better or would that help well with my overheating? Is it worth looking into liquid cooling?

vagrancyx · Jul 24, 2014

That is one of the better coolers to go with outside of looking into liquid cooling. If you're not overclocking there really is no point blowing money on liquid cooling or even closed loop liquid cooling.

Dark Lord of Tech · Jul 24, 2014

The SeaSonic gold 650W power supply you chose could probably run two GTX 780s. ....LOL

Is 650W PSU enough for upgrade to GTX 780 6GB and new CPU cooler in Dell XPS 8500?

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