What does a limited wattage motherboard even mean?

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
C

chrisgroth

Reputable
Nov 9, 2015
13
0
4,510
So I own a Dell Optiplex 790. I'm looking to game on it, and to do so I want to buy a new GPU (Gigabyte Windforce GTX 960), a new case (Corsair Spec 01), and a new PSU (EVGA 500W Semi Modular). HOWEVER, I have heard that the motherboard in thos desktop has a limited wattage PCI-E slot? So my question is, if I get a 500W PSU, instead of the 235W one in it, will the limited wattage matter? Please help!!
 
Solution
P
What I found about that Dell Optiplex 790 is that it got max limit of 35W on PCI-e. Normal specification for PCI-e slot is maximum of 75W.
When you plug in GPU it can draw power from PCI-e or/and from extra cables comming directly from your PSU.
Some GPU do not need these extra cable as they can draw enough power from PCI-e slot alone.

Now about that Gigabyte GPU. It got 2x 6-pin slot, each should deliver up to 75W so combined 150W.
+ possible 35W from pci-e mean total 185W max. With normal PCI-e specification it would be 225W.
According to this review power consumption under load for that card should be something between 125-130W so that GPU should get enough power from those 2 6-pin cables alone.

To matter of PSU, if you...
Sort by date Sort by votes
P

pm4

Honorable
Apr 28, 2014
421
2
11,160
What I found about that Dell Optiplex 790 is that it got max limit of 35W on PCI-e. Normal specification for PCI-e slot is maximum of 75W.
When you plug in GPU it can draw power from PCI-e or/and from extra cables comming directly from your PSU.
Some GPU do not need these extra cable as they can draw enough power from PCI-e slot alone.

Now about that Gigabyte GPU. It got 2x 6-pin slot, each should deliver up to 75W so combined 150W.
+ possible 35W from pci-e mean total 185W max. With normal PCI-e specification it would be 225W.
According to this review power consumption under load for that card should be something between 125-130W so that GPU should get enough power from those 2 6-pin cables alone.

To matter of PSU, if you want that GPU you need better PSU, 235W supplied in it won't certainly be enough.
That 500W should be ok, make sure it's supplied with atleast 2 slots/cables for PCI-e power connector.
 
Upvote 1 Downvote
Solution
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom