How many watts does my PC need?

Glorious Goglets · Apr 24, 2015

Do I need 500w or is 430w enough for this build?

Intel core i5-4460 3.2 ghz
8gb ram
EVGA gtx 960 4gb

This computer is pre-built by dell. Only the graphics card was bought separately. Thanks for taking time to answer.

Dark Lord of Tech · Apr 24, 2015

Glorious Goglets :

A decent 430w will run those specs.

DonkeyOatie · Apr 24, 2015

System will use less than 100W, GPU up to 120W with peaks of as much as 200W, so 430W is enough. I would want to use an Antec, or Silverstone in that Wattage range, The Antec VP450 or even Antec BP550 are decent budget choices. I would use nothing cheaper.

digitaldoc · Apr 24, 2015

http://powersupplycalculator.net/

I get 312W when I put it into the calculator, so 430W should be adequate. On the other hand, there is no harm in getting the larger PSU, and with less strain will generally last longer.

Dark Lord of Tech · Apr 24, 2015

Made by Super Flower = The Best.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Power Supply: Rosewill Capstone 450W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($64.25 @ Amazon)
Total: $64.25
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-24 19:16 EDT-0400

jimmysmitty · Apr 24, 2015

The minimum required PSU is 400W, per NVidia. I do have a question however.

Is this 430W PSU the stock Dell PSU or an after market PSU? That will make a big difference as stock PSUs tend to be very cheaply built. If so, I would buy a decent aftermarket 450-500W PSU from Corsair or Seasonic.

Glorious Goglets · Apr 24, 2015

jimmysmitty :

This is an aftermarket PSU by EVGA. Here's the link to it: http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-80PLUS-Certified-ATX12V-100-W1-0500-KR/dp/B00H33SFJU/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1429918251&sr=1-1&keywords=psu

DonkeyOatie · Apr 24, 2015

I would not use that EVGA W1 PSU. The Capstone above is very good, and there are much better options for the price.

digitaldoc · Apr 24, 2015

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-1804779/power-supply-unit-tier-list.html

Here is the list of PSU's and which ones are good/bad.

Glorious Goglets · Apr 24, 2015

DonkeyOatie :

How about a coolmaster PSU?

giantbucket · Apr 24, 2015

do you have a beer-budget or a champagne-budget? no point at looking at a Rolex if you can barely swing a Timex.

DonkeyOatie · Apr 24, 2015

Glorious Goglets :

Yes, and No. Cooler Master VS is good, but expensive, others I would not use.

Glorious Goglets · Apr 24, 2015

giantbucket :

I don't know what you're asking. Is your question about PSUs?

Glorious Goglets · Apr 24, 2015

DonkeyOatie :

How about this PSU: http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Elite-Power-RS460-PSARI3-US/dp/B002G1YPHK/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1429919561&sr=1-1&keywords=cooler+master

giantbucket · Apr 24, 2015

i'm asking: if you're going to buy a replacement power supply, how much can you realistically afford? the Tier-1 power supplies that people link to are sometimes way beyond what some people are realistically willing to or able to spend, and there are more affordable options that still do the trick but aren't as great. they're safe, reasonable, but not bulletproof.

Glorious Goglets · Apr 24, 2015

giantbucket :

I might be able to spend another $40 for a replacement.

giantbucket · Apr 24, 2015

this is apparently a great unit for the price:

XFX TS 550W
http://www.ncixus.com/products/?sku=59615&vpn=P1550SXXB9&manufacture=XFX&promoid=1611

there's also the EVGA 500B
http://www.ncixus.com/products/?sku=85625&vpn=100-B1-0500-KR&manufacture=eVGA&promoid=1395

and (prepare for haters), the Corsair CX stuff
http://www.ncixus.com/products/?sku=78577&vpn=CP-9020060-NA&manufacture=Corsair&promoid=1611
http://www.ncixus.com/products/?sku=78575&vpn=CP-9020058-NA&manufacture=Corsair&promoid=1611

(i have two CX430M and one CX500M and they've been great so far, a year or so)

Glorious Goglets · Apr 24, 2015

giantbucket :

this is apparently a great unit for the price:

XFX TS 550W
http://www.ncixus.com/products/?sku=59615&vpn=P1550SXXB9&manufacture=XFX&promoid=1611

there's also the EVGA 500B
http://www.ncixus.com/products/?sku=85625&vpn=100-B1-0500-KR&manufacture=eVGA&promoid=1395

and (prepare for haters), the Corsair CX stuff
http://www.ncixus.com/products/?sku=78577&vpn=CP-9020060-NA&manufacture=Corsair&promoid=1611
http://www.ncixus.com/products/?sku=78575&vpn=CP-9020058-NA&manufacture=Corsair&promoid=1611

(i have two CX430M and one CX500M and they've been great so far, a year or so)

What's so bad about Corsair?

giantbucket · Apr 24, 2015

Corsair HX and AX power supplies are great. and $$$.

the CX line is very affordable but people abuse(d) them and put them in high-power gaming systems which they're not designed for. then when they blow up, they blame the CX instead of themselves. i guess some folks don't realize that when you ask something to perform outside of spec, it doesn't always perform. gee, you don't say...

DonkeyOatie · Apr 25, 2015

http://www.amazon.com/Antec-Basiq-VP-450-Power-Supply/dp/B00EGSGC36/ref=sr_1_4?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1429963378&sr=1-4

Not the best, but in your price-range.

giantbucket · Apr 25, 2015

DonkeyOatie :

i would skip that one specifically. it's actually only a 380W based on the 12V rail. it looks like an old design that had the power split between 12V rails and 3.3V/5V rails.

DonkeyOatie · Apr 25, 2015

I know that, but look what he is running with it, a 4460 and a GTX960. It seems that the OP is going below everything we suggest. It has good enough capacitors.

How many watts does my PC need?

Reputable

Retired Moderator

Champion

Expert

Retired Moderator

Champion

Reputable

Champion

Expert

Reputable

Dignified

Champion

Reputable

Reputable

Dignified

Reputable

Dignified

Reputable

Dignified

Champion

Dignified

Champion

Share this page