Can the XFX Double D R9-280A run on this PSU?

Benjiwenji · Jul 18, 2015

Hi,

I just want to ask if the XFX Double D R9-280A will run stable with this Thermaltake TR2 TR-500 500W PSU. (click on links to newegg)

XFX suggests a 750W PSU, but most other 280s out there only need 500W. It specifically asks for a 750W 8-pin PCI E connector and a 75W 6-pin, and I cannot find that information on the PSU. I also have heard accounts of people running that card on 500-600W PSU.

I have an Athlon x4 760k, with biostar a85w mobo, 1x HDD, no optical drives, and 2x 4GB DDR3.

I just want to know if i can get away without upgrading PSU. I don't OC or anything.

Thanks,
Ben

RCFProd · Jul 18, 2015

The R9 280 will run as the TR-500 power supply is sufficient enough.

However don't forget that Thermaltake power supplies are terrible.

Benjiwenji · Jul 18, 2015

RCFProd :

Thank you. In that case, I might want to replace my PSU. So what makes it terrible? What should I look for in a good PSU? So that I can find a better replacement.

Karadjgne · Jul 18, 2015

There is a very large difference in quality and junk psus. It's not only the quality of the components used, like high quality and reliable capacitors, but quality of workmanship and design. Junk builders have poor quality control, so solder joints are a mess, spiked, possibly arc contact to ground, lack of good over protections in design, lack of sufficient components to make a decently stable, tight ripple, and the list goes on. A quality psu can easily weigh twice what a pos weighs, simply due to all the additional components used, sizing of components, heavier Guage casing, correct or oversized wiring, clean and neat solder etc.

Johnny guru, RealHardTechX and multiple others have done extensive research on psus, and while the specifics may not mean much, as long as you understand when they say they were expecting to see X, Y, Z and they reveal x,y you'll have a good guess the psu will be mediocre to junk. Read up on some reviews.
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2547993/psu-tier-list.html
This is a good list of psus, accumulated and tabulated from various reliable sources.

Benjiwenji · Jul 18, 2015

Karadjgne :

Thank you. That was helpful. I have another build with an EVGA NEX 750B, and it seems to be quite decent. The reviews have just reinforced my presumptions. Thus, I am leaning towards this EVGA 600B (link embedded). Any thoughts on it? Currently selling at 59.99 from multiple retailers.

RCFProd · Jul 18, 2015

Meh EVGA B1/G1 FSP-based are also not that good. They seem ok but are not comparable to EVGA B2/G2 Super Flower-based units.

Take a look at the PSU tier list and you will see the 600B is only tier three. If you're buying a new PSU try tier 2 or higher.

Benjiwenji · Jul 18, 2015

RCFProd :

Your points are valid, but all the tier 2 PSU start at around $100, whereas I can fine tier 3 PSU from $50. The only real difference explained by the guide was the difference of some Japanese vs. all japanese capacitors. Now, are the differences big enough to cause noticeable performance/longevity gap in my PC? The specs are listed in original post.

Karadjgne · Jul 18, 2015

Prices change. I've seen the XFX 550w ts (tier2) for $25 at newegg, the Antec HCG-M 520/620 for $35 (tier2), my Seasonic m12ii 520 (tier2) was $49 when I bought it. A month ago the Rosewill Capstone 550w was $49 for a few days, the Evga 550w GS was just on sale for $55 etc etc. You'll have to check prices on partpicker.com with some regularity. Someone has a sale, sometime, this just seems to be an off week.

Japanese solid caps are about the best there is in terms of longevity, ability, performance, reliability, quality control etc. And at 105° rating, they are built with psu demands in stride. And are slight more expensive. Where some (most) tier 3 units differ, is they use cheaper, old school chemical caps on the secondaries, the largest and most expensive caps in the psu, responsible for all the oomph the gpu demands, after the primaries get done fixing the voltages. It's these jumbo caps, rated at a measly 85°, that suffer the most abuse, and just happen to be made in Taiwan, with little or no quality control.

So I ask you, are you willing to trust in 1-ply toilet paper, just cuz it's cheaper, or would you rather put that trust in the slightly more expensive 2-ply. A psu responsible for several hundreds of dollars worth of electronic equipment is exactly no different.

Benjiwenji · Jul 19, 2015

Karadjgne :

I did some digging, and I found the xfx ts 550w for $65 but also the rosewill photon 550w for $69 before rebate. The Capstones are now no longer available and are replaced by photons. On paper, the photon is better, jonnyguru even gave a good review on the photon 750w. Still, it is considered new, have you heard any word on the street about it?

Karadjgne · Jul 19, 2015

I haven't personally, but if anyone would know, it would be the guys on the forum pages of that psu tier list. Some of them are extremely knowledgeable about psus, and are constantly searching for such answers.

Benjiwenji · Jul 19, 2015

Karadjgne :

Thanks! I will go ask around. Both of you have been of tremendous help and offered valuable insights.

Karadjgne · Jul 19, 2015

You are very welcome

RCFProd · Jul 19, 2015

These PSU's will all be fine with the R9 280 and doesn't cost 100 dollars.

Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($58.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $58.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-07-19 07:17 EDT-0400

Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 520W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($57.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $57.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-07-19 07:19 EDT-0400

Power Supply: Antec Neo Eco 620W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($64.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $64.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-07-19 07:20 EDT-0400

Power Supply: SeaSonic 520W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($68.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $68.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-07-19 07:20 EDT-0400

Power Supply: XFX TS 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($69.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $69.98
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-07-19 07:20 EDT-0400

Power Supply: SeaSonic S12G 550W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($73.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $73.98
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-07-19 07:20 EDT-0400

Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA GS 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $79.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-07-19 07:21 EDT-0400

Seasonic S12G-550 or the Supernova GS 550w are very recommended.

Benjiwenji · Jul 19, 2015

I am planned on getting the Antec NeoEco 620W because Seasonic is its OEM and 100% Japanese capacitors. However, I am concerned that it is not yet rated on the tier list. Would it be on the 2nd tier?

2nd, would have preferred modular or semi-modular PSUs, but its difficult given my price range. Furthermore, I would have liked to see at least 5 years of warranty from Antec, 3 years is below average in the industry. It's would have been nice to see Antec to show some faith in their product.

I really wanted to like that Rosewill Photon with its all Japanese capacitors, 80plus Gold, and full modular build. But the biggest deterring factor was the 550W @ 40C, lower than the typical industry standard of 50C. Plus, it is made by Sirtec, the same OEM that brought us the Hive series. If it was rated 50C instead, I would have grabbed it.

Karadjgne · Jul 19, 2015

It's amazing. 1 simple question leading to a whole other world worth of info and education.

Addicting isn't it....

Benjiwenji · Jul 21, 2015

For a finally update for y'all. I ended up buying this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207011

the XFX core edition pro 850w. I know I don't need 850w but its was $71.99 after shellshocker and student discount plus a $30.00 MIR.

It's a better deal than the tier 1 - 2 650w right now.

thanks again.

Karadjgne · Jul 21, 2015

Man, sweat deal, nice. And if you ever decide to crossfire, you'll be all set

Can the XFX Double D R9-280A run on this PSU?

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