The best graphics card a CX550M can power?

corvo_1 · Nov 1, 2017

I'm curious which best performing graphics card I could get which would not cause any problems in terms of power consumption.
I'm currently running a Strix GTX 970 and I was hoping for something for a little more powerful.
I also have a Ryzen 1400, a 1TB HDD and a 128GB SSD running and that's pretty much it for anything else which can require significant power.
What sort of card could I potentially upgrade to while keeping my current power supply?

JalYt_Justin · Nov 1, 2017

Theoretically you could go with a 1080 and you'd really be pushing your PSU, so I'd recommend a 1070. It's a pretty large step up from a 970 considering 1070 is basically equal to a 980ti.

Luuk__ · Nov 1, 2017

You could probably get at least a GTX 1070, not sure about the 1080 and the 1080Ti.

Unless you're having low FPS I wouldn't recommend upgrading as of yet, but that's totally up to you.

EpIckFa1LJoN · Nov 1, 2017

For starters those PSU's aren't always reliable. But you shouldn't have any problems running up to a 1080. Anything more you'd be cutting it extremely close, and emphasis on the "SHOULDN'T"

BTW, the 1070, 1070 Ti, and 1080 all run at 180W at load.

TechyInAZ · Nov 1, 2017

I have a GTX 1080 on my EVGA G3 550W. However keep in mind that the CX550M isn't nearly as high quality as a G3, so I'd recommend a max of a GTX 1070.

corvo_1 · Nov 1, 2017

JalYt_Justin :

Out of the 1070 and 980ti, which would you recommend? Apart from price, is there any noticeable difference in performance?

EpIckFa1LJoN · Nov 1, 2017

corvo_1 :

980 Ti runs at 250W your PSU won't be able to adequately handle it.

Like I said in my above post. 1070, 1070 Ti, and 1080 all run at the same 180W at load. It depends more what you need. 980 Ti and 1080 Ti run above 250W and are out of the question for that PSU. 970 runs at 150W for a comparison.

Also, I wouldn't get anything overclocked unless you plan on upgrading the PSU.

JalYt_Justin · Nov 1, 2017

EpIckFa1LJoN :

Not quite. Here's a few examples from Anandtech:

Needless to say they are close, but they don't use the exact same amount of power. Keep in mind that a 1080 is a more powerful 1070, and that requires more power. It wouldn't make sense for a stronger GPU to use the same amount of power.

lubosblacksmyth · Nov 1, 2017

GTX 1080 should be fine under 200 watts. Even can overclock it.
Its like max 400w for your system 75% od max load of PSU. But no way GPU above 200w.
And 070 runs at 150w not 180.

samer.forums · Nov 1, 2017

CX550M can handle even GTX 1080 ti System. full system using 1080ti will draw 410-450 watts .

https://www.anandtech.com/show/11180/the-nvidia-geforce-gtx-1080-ti-review/16

and the new CX550M with 5 years warranty are good power supplies.

they can give full 550W on 12V

http://www.corsair.com/en-us/cx-series-cx550m-550-watt-80-plus-bronze-certified-modular-atx-psu-na

JalYt_Justin · Nov 1, 2017

samer.forums :

Theoretically yes it can handle a 1080ti, but you never want to use almost all of the wattage on your PSU if you want it to live for any decent amount of time. Also the quality of CXMs aren't THAT good. Power supplies work best at 50-80% usage, not at 100% usage. You don't see too many systems with a 1080ti and a CX550M. It's not that those people don't want to save money, cause they do, but it's that it's not very good to send your PSU under near-full load.

samer.forums · Nov 1, 2017

JalYt_Justin :

where is the full usage ?

that power supply is 550watts not 410 watts

as I said , full INTEL system with GTX 1080 Ti will draw 410 watts .

thats 74% not 100%

and the new CX550M is good . it gives FULL 550Watts on 12V

lubosblacksmyth · Nov 1, 2017

Yeah 1080ti is little bit to much but 1080 with ease do not worry.

EpIckFa1LJoN · Nov 1, 2017

JalYt_Justin :

I would check that source incredibly carefully.

BTW its TOTAL SYSTEM POWER, which can't be accounted for unless he's using the exact same system.

And yes I am aware actual numbers differ, but based on Tom's Reviews, the 1070 runs about 150W, and the 1080 FE about 175W. BUT, Nvidia's own spec sheets rate them at 180W and recommends minimum PSU wattage at 500W so my point still stands; The max I would go with that PSU is a 1080 and that even may be cutting it close.

Thanks for your pointless correction though. Even though I also said a 1080 was about as high as that PSU could handle xD.

samer.forums · Nov 1, 2017

lubosblacksmyth :

nope , GTX 1080 ti will work FINE on his System and will be working 74% of its power. if not less . The OP is using Ryzen 1400 !!! a 65 watt CPU.

That 410 watts System is using 140 watts CPU overclocked and GTX 1080 ti

https://www.anandtech.com/show/11180/the-nvidia-geforce-gtx-1080-ti-review/16

EpIckFa1LJoN · Nov 1, 2017

samer.forums :

That's a lot of assuming for a budget grade PSU.

samer.forums · Nov 1, 2017

EpIckFa1LJoN :

First it is rated 550 Watts .

second : this is FULL SYSTEM power NOT only GPU

Third , it needs to achieve 74% only for GTX 1080 ti if not less . the 410 watts is for 140 w CPU not 65 Watt Ryzen.

actually if calculated right , using his Ryzen 1400 , his total system power with GTX 1080 ti will be around 360 watts .

and finally ... look at the total system power WITH GTX 1080 ti in all reviews .

Exaggerating the need of best power supply is wrong.

The CX550M is one of the best budget power supplies and corsair did a GOOD JOB releasing it.

lubosblacksmyth · Nov 1, 2017

I got on 12M520 evo psu R9 280 oc thats 200 wats. + I5 3470(77w) + 2 hhds + dvd rom+ mobo+ram, 2 fans, that max 400w and no problem.

EpIckFa1LJoN · Nov 1, 2017

If you want to put a $750 GPU in the hands of a $50 PSU go right the fk ahead. Don't come crying when it doesn't work or blows up.

samer.forums · Nov 1, 2017

EpIckFa1LJoN :

First mind your language.

Second , GTX 1080 ti is rated 250 watts , how much it costs has nothing to do with power usage.

and third , CX550M will not blow up . it is a 5 years warranty DC to DC power supply and good quality.

I can show you a $1000000 SSD card that will work fine with CX550M , price has nothing to do with power usage.

and fourth : it is not $50 power supply , it is $114

http://www.corsair.com/en-us/cx-series-cx550m-550-watt-80-plus-bronze-certified-modular-atx-psu-na

can be found special offer for $75 or less but this does not mean it is a cheap product.

and finally mind your language again.

JalYt_Justin · Nov 1, 2017

samer.forums :

CX550M is not high enough quality to handle the load of a 1080ti. Just because it's in the wattage range doesn't mean it can handle that wattage effectively. There would be no reason for more than $60 PSUs if a lower quality PSU could handle the highest end systems.

EDIT: In response to you saying it's $114... https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139147&ignorebbr=1&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-PC&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-PC-_-pla-_-Power+Supplies-_-N82E16817139147&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4eXPBRCtARIsADvOjY2dVhSE8HCvnC_LZI8YlgT79wcyjFROLEzdvETOQEHm15aDsl_1JUcaAudREALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

It might be more expensive in your country. In the U.S. it's $60, which is about as cheap as you can afford to go for a power supply.

samer.forums · Nov 1, 2017

JalYt_Justin :

That price is not the list price. when it was released it was $114 and I showed you the link in USA , from the Company SITE ITSELF

here AGAIN

http://www.corsair.com/en-us/cx-series-cx550m-550-watt-80-plus-bronze-certified-modular-atx-psu-na

you should be happy that you can get a $114 power supply for $60 now !!!!

and again it IS a good Quality power supply. you are just assuming.

and here is a review for its brother the CX750M

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story6&reid=486

The best graphics card a CX550M can power?

Prominent

Reputable

Commendable

Admirable

Titan

Prominent

Admirable

Reputable

Honorable

Notable

Reputable

Notable

Honorable

Admirable

Notable

Admirable

Notable

Honorable

Admirable

Notable

Reputable

Notable

Share this page