What happens when GPU needs more power than the PSU can provide?

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bcodemz

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Jun 18, 2013
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I'm curious, what happens when a GPU tries to draw more power than the PSU can provide?

Currently I have a GTX 680, and I'm wondering if I might be throttling the card because I'm not providing it with enough power since I'm using power from SATA cables for one of the 6 pins.
 
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geofelt

geofelt

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If a psu does not have two 6 pin connectors, it probably can't deliver enough amps to use adapters.

A gpu will draw more power under load, and I think it can recognize a lack of power and underclock if necessary.

You can run GPU-Z or another monitor to check out that possibility.

More worrisome is that a cheap psu can get overloaded and destroy your parts because it does not have sufficient protective circuitry.
 
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bcodemz

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I have a stock PSU from my HP desktop (460W). It has plenty of power. The maximum power draw I can get from my computer is about 309 watts with Furmark for GPU and Intel burn test for CPU running simultaneously and 4 hard drives, 1 SSD, and 1 optical drive all copying data at the same time. Assuming 75% efficiency from the PSU, the PSU is only supplying 232 watts, half of its rating.

I can't really get my 680 to use much power. I measure only about 150W difference between idle and normal load (i.e., no Furmark). Assuming 75% efficiency of the PSU, that's only 113W that the 680 is using on load.
 
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