Sign in with
Sign up | Sign in
Your question
Solved

Am I close to my PSU limits?

Tags:
  • Power Supplies
  • Power Consumption
  • Graphics Cards
  • Components
Last response: in Components
Share
September 12, 2014 9:12:14 AM

Just a quick disclaimer, I'm writing this from work, so I can't provide 100% accurate model numbers on the parts I list.

Basically, my gaming rig is a few years old now, and I've been adding little bits and pieces to it that I never originally intended to have. I have a 650W PSU (Silverstone). So far, that PSU is running:

ASrock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 motherboard
Intel Core i7 2600k CPU (after-market cooler, but single slow fan and not really relevant)
Crucial 256GB SSD
Two Seagate 1TB 7200 RPM HDDs
Seagate 3TB 7200 RPM HDD
Radeon HD 6950 2GB (not OC)
Corsair 16GB Vengeance RAM

I don't think that much power, relatively speaking, are being drawn from the USBs. They are powering a Razer Taimat 7.1 headset, an ROG GX1000 mouse, and an Alienware TactX keyboard.

Basically, I'm obtaining/replacing a few pieces of hardware, and I want to make sure that I'm not pushing my PSU too close to the limits. I'd rather avoid buying a new PSU.

New hardware: Oculus Rift DevKit2, flight controls (h.o.t.a.s.).

Replaced hardware: I'm replacing my Alienware TactX keyboard for a Corsair K95 RGB.
I'm replacing my Radeon HD 6950 with http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168... . This is really what has me worried.

What I'm mostly trying to ask, is if switch my old graphics card for that new one, will my computer ignite and/or explode?

More about : close psu limits

Best solution

a b ) Power supply
a b U Graphics card
September 12, 2014 9:19:57 AM

your fine with 650W
Share
September 12, 2014 9:22:35 AM

Thank you. Do you know how much headroom I might have if I ever decide to pick up another HDD?
m
0
l
Related resources
a c 311 ) Power supply
a c 119 U Graphics card
September 12, 2014 9:26:48 AM

Urzu1000 said:
Just a quick disclaimer, I'm writing this from work, so I can't provide 100% accurate model numbers on the parts I list.

Basically, my gaming rig is a few years old now, and I've been adding little bits and pieces to it that I never originally intended to have. I have a 650W PSU (Silverstone). So far, that PSU is running:

ASrock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 motherboard
Intel Core i7 2600k CPU (after-market cooler, but single slow fan and not really relevant)
Crucial 256GB SSD
Two Seagate 1TB 7200 RPM HDDs
Seagate 3TB 7200 RPM HDD
Radeon HD 6950 2GB (not OC)
Corsair 16GB Vengeance RAM

I don't think that much power, relatively speaking, are being drawn from the USBs. They are powering a Razer Taimat 7.1 headset, an ROG GX1000 mouse, and an Alienware TactX keyboard.

Basically, I'm obtaining/replacing a few pieces of hardware, and I want to make sure that I'm not pushing my PSU too close to the limits. I'd rather avoid buying a new PSU.

New hardware: Oculus Rift DevKit2, flight controls (h.o.t.a.s.).

Replaced hardware: I'm replacing my Alienware TactX keyboard for a Corsair K95 RGB.
I'm replacing my Radeon HD 6950 with http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168... . This is really what has me worried.

What I'm mostly trying to ask, is if switch my old graphics card for that new one, will my computer ignite and/or explode?


Hi - I agree with esco, 650w unit is plenty. However, plz check your Silverstone model # when you can &
post it here. The 650's I found all have enough power, but one of them has a lower tier OEM. Still
enough power, but if it's that one you'd want to start saving to upgrade the PSU in a few month's.



m
0
l
a b ) Power supply
a b U Graphics card
September 12, 2014 9:30:55 AM

Urzu1000 said:
Thank you. Do you know how much headroom I might have if I ever decide to pick up another HDD?


i would only worry about graphics cards HDD and such have very low power draw

m
0
l
September 12, 2014 10:03:15 AM

toyftw said:


Hi - I agree with esco, 650w unit is plenty. However, plz check your Silverstone model # when you can &
post it here. The 650's I found all have enough power, but one of them has a lower tier OEM. Still
enough power, but if it's that one you'd want to start saving to upgrade the PSU in a few month's.



I'll get the model number when I get home if I can somehow locate the box. Thank you for bringing that up.

m
0
l
September 12, 2014 10:07:11 AM

esco_sid said:


i would only worry about graphics cards HDD and such have very low power draw



Thank you. I'm glad to know that I won't have to worry if I start to max out my 5TB of storage haha.
m
0
l
a c 311 ) Power supply
a c 119 U Graphics card
September 12, 2014 10:10:08 AM

Urzu1000 said:
toyftw said:


Hi - I agree with esco, 650w unit is plenty. However, plz check your Silverstone model # when you can &
post it here. The 650's I found all have enough power, but one of them has a lower tier OEM. Still
enough power, but if it's that one you'd want to start saving to upgrade the PSU in a few month's.



I'll get the model number when I get home if I can somehow locate the box. Thank you for bringing that up.



Hi - If you don't have the box, the model # is most likely also on the label that's affixed tot he side of the PSU.

m
0
l
September 12, 2014 10:16:51 AM

That makes it a little easier; I'll just check that then. I can't help but notice that "Power Supply Master" tag. Mind if I ask what your preferred PSU brand or manufacturer is?
m
0
l
a c 311 ) Power supply
a c 119 U Graphics card
September 12, 2014 10:33:53 AM

Urzu1000 said:
That makes it a little easier; I'll just check that then. I can't help but notice that "Power Supply Master" tag. Mind if I ask what your preferred PSU brand or manufacturer is?


Hi again - 1st realize that all brands (at least that I'm aware of) have some PSU's in their line that aren't
better quality. A consequence of competing for the lower price/higher unit sales customers.

As for mfg's (OEM's), the two that come to mind as having higher overall quality lines would be
Super Flower (makes EVGA's better units and Rosewill Capstone, Tachyon, & Lightning series),
and Seasonic which they sell under their own brand and OEM all XFX's PSU's, Corsair's AX series,
plus PSU's for other brands such as Antec.

Enhance Electronincs and Flextronics also appear to be better quality makers, but not a large sampling
to evaluate.

Then there are makers such as Channell Well (CWT) that have the facilities and tech depth to produce
almost any quality level.

So, in a nutshell, I would lean towards the 1st 2 I listed, but would always dig into the specific model I
was interested in.
Trusted reviews are key when available. There's three reviewers I would trust the most;
Hardware Secrets, Jonnyguru, and Hard Ocp.



m
0
l
September 12, 2014 10:43:07 AM

I've heard a lot of good things about Super Flower. I'll definitely look around the first two you mentioned for the next computer I build, and I'll be sure to inspect the individual models.

Thanks for the help and advice haha. I feel more knowledge now.
m
0
l
a c 311 ) Power supply
a c 119 U Graphics card
September 12, 2014 10:49:19 AM

Urzu1000 said:
I've heard a lot of good things about Super Flower. I'll definitely look around the first two you mentioned for the next computer I build, and I'll be sure to inspect the individual models.

Thanks for the help and advice haha. I feel more knowledge now.


You might want to (in spare time) before your next build, read these articles;
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/181

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/410

and if you want to get into more tech:
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Anatomy-of-Switc...

m
0
l
!