GPU upgrade on 550w

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mikey48195

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Jan 8, 2014
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I`m currently using a 550w psu with my i5 2500k (overclocked) and an amd 6950.

Does a 550w psu have enough power to be able to power high end cards such as an r9 290 if I were to upgrade?

If you currently have a similar setup please post your build so I can see how much headroom I have.
 
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B
it wont run the r9 290
but you can get the latest gtx 970 with the maxwell architecture
it is extreemely power efficient
has a TDP of a mere 145W
and it even beats the R9 290 in performance
go with the 970
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beni_rohit

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Feb 22, 2014
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it wont run the r9 290
but you can get the latest gtx 970 with the maxwell architecture
it is extreemely power efficient
has a TDP of a mere 145W
and it even beats the R9 290 in performance
go with the 970
 
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Suztera

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Mar 18, 2014
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A R9 290 does not take 650W on its own... With a full system maybe depending what components and how much you overclocked.
At most a R9 290 takes around 300W ish with the GPU on its own.
 
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sammy sung

sammy sung

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I'm well aware, I figured it was implied that I meant the full system load. Your GPU dictates the most amperage, so when referring to overall wattage required you do so with the GPU in question. And if any overclocking is in the plan, as would be expected with a 2500K, he won't be best suited with a 550W power supply. He could skate by, as you noted, but that wouldn't be the safest plan
 
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TopLuca

TopLuca

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Jun 2, 2012
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Thats nonsense I'm afraid.

The GPU's TDP is 250W and most aftermarket models consume around 300W as they come overclocked and fitted with more adequate cooling solutions.

Why Graphics cards' manufacturers recommend higher wattage PSUs as they aren't sure what's in your system and how much wattage do your other components consume that's why they always recommend something that's very overkill to ensure that the card will run fine moreover they aren't sure that the consumers are running on quality PSUs so they bare in mind that some consumers run on generic and bad quality power supplies that aren't able to deliver their specified power that's why they recommend 750W for the 290 while in fact a quality 550W PSU will run it no problems.

In most cases if it can run the 6950 it can run the 290 , The 6950 has a tdp of 250W

Estimated system wattage with the 2500K OC and 290 with other peripherals should be around 500W which is 90% of the PSU horsepower , if its good quality it should be able to supply 500W continuously :)
 
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mikey48195

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Jan 8, 2014
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I looked up the 970 and it does seem to be considerably more power efficient than the 290, with a slightly better performance. Sounds like i`ll be much safer going with the 970, thank you for the feedback
 
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beni_rohit

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im glad i could help
 
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