Is my 12V rail enough to power a GTX 970

Shadowex99 · Aug 29, 2015

Alright so i bought the Cooler Master Elite V2 - 550W Power Supply. What i'm wondering is how much it's pcie pins can handle. I have an Asus Radeon HD 7850 right now but i'm planning on getting a GTX 970. When you buy a graphics card people tend to overclock as well which is what i want to do. Does it fit exactly or is there a little headroom.

My Build:
http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/kFtQWZ

bignastyid · Aug 29, 2015

Short answer is no. The PSU is low quality(to the point of being a danger to the other components) and for a supposed 550w PSU its very weak. A 384w 12v rail on a psu advertised as 550w is just pathetic(and imho should be illegal). I highly suggest getting a better PSU. Looks like good PSU for that rig with a 970 is going to cost atleast $80.
http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/xfx-power-supply-p1550sxxb9

Shadowex99 · Aug 29, 2015

Will it be enough to just power my Asus Radeon HD 7850 Overclocked for a year? If the short answer is no then i'm screwed lmfao.

Shadowex99 · Aug 29, 2015

http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/b/KsM8TW this guy seems to be fine with it? Maybe?

bignastyid · Aug 29, 2015

Shadowex99 :

I wouldn't. Jonnyguru scored it a 6.6 out of 10. Its a 400w PSU thats being advertised as a 550w unit. If you were running a 750i it would probably be ok as it has good voltage regulation, but it uses cheap capacitors and being made by solytech the protection circuits are probably iffy.

Ironsounds · Aug 29, 2015

Hello... Your HD 7850 GPU is 130 watts 11 amps @12vdc. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radeon_HD_7000_Series

Shadowex99 · Aug 29, 2015

That really scares me because I'll legitimately get introuble for wasting my parents time. If i leave it stock will it be fine for a year?

Shadowex99 · Aug 29, 2015

I mean I just don't want to burn out my other components.

turbopiki · Aug 29, 2015

Your PSU is low quality, but it should be enough for HD7850, but before you connect GTX 970 get a better quality PSU

Ironsounds · Aug 29, 2015

Hello... Temperature is directly related to component failure... keep your PS Fan clear of debris and access to good cool air flow.

turbopiki · Aug 29, 2015

OP which of the parts in your PCpartpicekr link do you already have, if you didnt buy anything yet you can maybe get few other things cheaper that wont affect perfromance and get better PSU

Shadowex99 · Aug 29, 2015

What are the chances of it burning out my whole PC. I don't think that all my components have warranty so that's definitely not an option.

Shadowex99 · Aug 29, 2015

I already have purchased everything. The motherboard is already being shipped is the last thing to come in.

bignastyid · Aug 29, 2015

Shadowex99 :

Hard to tell, my biggest concern is the cheap primary cap, when secondary caps fail its unlikely to fry the system but when a primary fails it's usually bad news. As Ironsounds suggested make sure to keep it cool those cheap caps hate heat and will degrade faster when hot.

Shadowex99 · Aug 29, 2015

Does NCIX do returns no questions asked? It's already put in my system but i have everything that was in the box. I can easily put a new rubber band around the power cable and slip the plastic back on but do you think they will take it? I bought it yesterday and I heard they have a 15 day return policy.

bignastyid · Aug 29, 2015

Shadowex99 :

They will probably take it back but you may have to pay a restocking fee.

Shadowex99 · Aug 29, 2015

Can they just deduct it off my refund?

Ironsounds · Aug 29, 2015

Hello... Check their website for RMA instructions... Typically you just have to Pay one way shipping/10% re-stocking fee if this is not an exchange for another one of their product. How much was the PS?

Shadowex99 · Aug 29, 2015

I got this power supply instore. Guy recommended it so i purchased it.

bignastyid · Aug 29, 2015

Shadowex99 :

You maybe just able to echange it at the store without a fee. And if the guy who recommended that unit is there kick him in the balls for me.

Shadowex99 · Aug 29, 2015

It gets cold in the winter anyway so I think it might hold up. Is there a way to monitor PSU temps?

Shadowex99 · Aug 29, 2015

Just read the "JonnyGuru" post on it and it said to last me maybe around 2 years more or less? That's more than enough time for me to get a new one. This thing was only about $50 and overclocking might be okay as long as I don't mess with the voltage too much. Thanks for all your help guys!!!

Shadowex99 · Aug 29, 2015

Jonny Guru also said it was a 500 Watt unit and not a 400 watt. 400 watt and you should just sue them LOL.

Ironsounds · Aug 29, 2015

Hello... PS failure will always happen... Some sooner than others... I have replaced and repaired a MANY in the industrial environment and PC's... it is not a BIG concern of mine to expect it to last forever, as long you stay within the Temperature and Output, for the JOB you want to do. I have not experienced PC component failure due to a Power Supply "Flame out" or failure.

Shadowex99 · Aug 29, 2015

I'll usually just be playing games and rendering sometimes for school projects. Nothing that pushes the limits of my PSU too much. I tried an Antec 500 watt psu from a person that lives next door with my card and a slightly more power hungry cpu and it seemed to not have any problems at first sight. Let's hope this one lives up to my low expectations.

Is my 12V rail enough to power a GTX 970

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