Is My PSU Too Small?

Minky7 · Dec 2, 2015

So I just bought a new grpahics card (GTX 970) and it's been working fine. I've been playing rainbow six siege for 4 hours and it had no problem with that, however once I booted another game (Space Engineers if you're familiar) it crashed after about 2 minutes. I saw a message about power fluctuations on the american megatrends screen. Is my psu too small (500 w)?

PSU : Thermaletake TR2 500W

Graphics Card : GV-N970TTOC-4GD GTX 970

Luminary · Dec 2, 2015

The TR2 is a very poor unit. It would be best to upgrade it in order to avoid power failures like you are experiencing now. The wattage is roughly in the right ballpark, it the TR2 just doesn't supply reliable power.

Here's a much better unit to pair with a GTX 970:

Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($55.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $55.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-12-02 22:33 EST-0500

Minky7 · Dec 2, 2015

Luminary :

Thank you very much! This might seem like a stupid question, but could I continue to run my PC without risk of damage at least until the new unit arrives?

Luminary · Dec 3, 2015

You will probably be able to run it for basic web browsing safely, but I don't recommend playing any games.

Minky7 · Dec 3, 2015

Luminary :

Ok, thank you!

Luminary · Dec 3, 2015

You're most welcome.

Minky7 · Dec 3, 2015

Luminary :

Sorry to keep asking question, but I have no idea what I'm doing with a PSU. How this one (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/corsair-cx-series-modular-cx750m-750w-atx-power-supply-black/8324202.p?id=1218872214205&skuId=8324202) they have it on sale, it's enough if I ever want to upgrade, and it modular!

Luminary · Dec 3, 2015

No problem at all, please feel free to ask as many questions as you have. Happy to help.

The CX line is not a very good choice. Corsair does have some very good models of PSU, but the CX line is not one of them.

If you wanted a quality semi-modular 750w PSU for future upgrades, the EVGA 750 B2 would be a very good comprimise between price and performance and is currently $15 more than the CX 750:

Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($75.39 @ Amazon)
Total: $75.39
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-12-03 21:53 EST-0500

Minky7 · Dec 3, 2015

Luminary :

Good to know, I will be sure to buy from that line, thank you very much!

Luminary · Dec 3, 2015

No probelm. Last bit of advice, if you look for EVGA try and stick to the B2, G2, GS, or P2 models. The B and Nex lines aren't nearly as good.

Minky7 · Dec 3, 2015

Luminary :

Thanks for all the help! I think I should be ready to go!

Minky7 · Dec 4, 2015

Luminary :

I'm sorry to keep asking, but could you tell me a bit about other models? As I've said I've no clue about PSUs. What are the other good brands and models?

Luminary · Dec 4, 2015

No trouble at all.

Here's a comprehensive list of PSU's from Tom's, it lists a wide variety of quailty PSU's.

Look at tier 1 and 2 for the highest quailty units: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2547993/psu-tier-list.html

Also, here is a very good Tom's article that goes into all the aspects of choosing a good PSU: http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-2150235/choose-perfect-power-supply.html

Minky7 · Dec 4, 2015

Luminary :

Thank you again! How's this? (http://www.bestbuy.com//site/evga-supernova-atx12v-eps12v-power-supply-black/1312576177.p?id=mp1312576177&skuId=1312576177) They didn't mention any g series only g2, I'm sorry for being so annoying.

Luminary · Dec 4, 2015

Not annoying at all, we're happy to help here at Tom's.

The G Nex series isn't quite as good as the G2, but it is still a perfectly good unit and would power your system just fine. Recieved an 8.5/10 from Johnny Guru, you can read the full report here:

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story6&reid=442

Minky7 · Dec 4, 2015

Luminary :

Thank you very much! That will hopefully be it!

Luminary · Dec 4, 2015

You're most welcome, very solid choice.

Cheers!

Minky7 · Dec 9, 2015

Hey, i'm sorry to do this again, but i've tried some games including the one thaty it crashed on and it hasn't crashed again. Could it have been a freak accident, and if so should i still go ahead and upgrade just to be safe?

Luminary · Dec 9, 2015

I would personally recommend upgrading it, like I said at the top the TR2 really isn't a good unit to have powering your other hardware. If you can't afford it right away you'll obviously have to make do, but do try to upgrade it as soon as you can to ensure your system is getting reliable power.

Minky7 · Dec 9, 2015

Luminary :

Will do!

Minky7 · Dec 27, 2015

Luminary :

Sorry, but ?http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438059

Is My PSU Too Small?

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