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Is my seasonic S12 600W going to be enuf for an upgrade?

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September 13, 2006 2:25:46 AM

I bought it assuming it would be plenty for my next upgrade, if not my next couple upgrades. But now I used the PSU calculator from the sticky above and its saying I may need over 600W

Im looking at a D915 (till C2D price drops) but a 920 was closest match with an overclock to 3600Mhz and V. bump to 1.35V. 2 sticks DDR2, 7900GT, 1 SATA, 2 optical drives, sound blaster, 1 USB, and a few case fans. Thats it, my basic settup.

The thing that really drove the wattage calculator up is the surge compensation and capacitor aging??? I put those at 20% (recommended from notes 3 and 4 at bottom of the page)and it says I may need 655Watts!!. Without either of those set, it says I only need 468Watts, I like that second number much better.

I would probably not do alot of multitasking but certainly be playing some FEAR or Quake4 all maxed out. So how much CPU utilization will that actually need? Or if I was decrypting and burning DVD's. I put CPU at 100% but I understand I probably wont be Running that CPU at 100%.

So I guess the questions I need answering are these: How much CPU will gaming and light multitasking need on a D915?

AND, can someone shed a little light on this issue of SURGE compensation and CAPACITOR AGING in relation to my PSU (S12 600W)?

Thanks in advance,

little_scrapper

More about : seasonic s12 600w enuf upgrade

a b ) Power supply
September 13, 2006 2:50:10 AM

Quote:


The thing that really drove the wattage calculator up is the surge compensation and capacitor aging??? I put those at 20% (recommended from notes 3 and 4 at bottom of the page)and it says I may need 655Watts!!. Without either of those set, it says I only need 468Watts, I like that second number much better.

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AND, can someone shed a little light on this issue of SURGE compensation and CAPACITOR AGING in relation to my PSU (S12 600W)?


Sorry I can't give you an answer to capacitor aging, but I can help you out with an estimated power consumption on the 12v rail:


D915 - overclocked to P EE 965 speeds.................162w Pentium EE 965 Power Consumption

7900GT (Overclocked)............................................57w GPU Power Consumption chart

1 350GB Hard Drive...............................................25w (a bit high but whatever)

3 120mm Case Fans - Full Speed............................15w

2 DVD Burners........................................................28w

All other components draws power from 3.3v/5v rails

Total estimated max power consumption................287w

Total amps used...................................................23.92a
September 13, 2006 2:51:51 AM

I ran all that you listed, plus a few more(dvdrw via usb2, 2nd SATA, etc) on a dell 380w psu, it was a 7800GT, but close in power usage.

The dell worked like a dream on a thermaltake T2 430w with a power hungry x1900xtx, total power draw was 380 at max load.

My new e6600 rig, with double the HD, and a lot more toys ( lcd reads, fans, fan controllers, etc) and all the above, is at 340w, read from the gauge included with the 500w thermaltake purepower psu I am now using.

You have plenty of overhead to do most anything you want.

Power usage is way overestimated most times, quality of the power and the 12v rail will keep you straight.
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September 13, 2006 3:02:18 AM

Thats what Im saying!! I wouldnt ever imagine a pair of 18A +12V rails wouldnt be enough.

How about CPU utilization for gaming and light multitasking?(decrypting and burning DVD's, and surfing the net while I wait, and listening to music probably be the most I'd ever do at once.)What kind of CPU percentage will that use?
September 13, 2006 3:37:47 AM

I can tell you from actual practical experience with this power supply that you should have plenty.

I run a water-cooled system, Pentium D, 940 @ 3.85GHz with a crossfire configuration (1900xtx & 1900xt), 2 SATA drives, 1 optical drive, w/soundcard and a pile of USB devices attached.

The PSU calculator told me I need over 900W.

I run 24/7, w/gaming and other intense applications (including a 48 hour, dual prime burn-in), and I've never had any issues at all.

In fact, I run another very similarly configured system with the same power supply.

The Seasonic is a great PSU, I'd be VERY suprised if it gave you any trouble.

Good luck!
September 13, 2006 4:12:39 AM

Quote:
Thats what Im saying!! I wouldnt ever imagine a pair of 18A +12V rails wouldnt be enough.

How about CPU utilization for gaming and light multitasking?(decrypting and burning DVD's, and surfing the net while I wait, and listening to music probably be the most I'd ever do at once.)What kind of CPU percentage will that use?


The capacitator aging supposedly refers to the fact that as capacitators get old, they gradually loose the capability to hold power. Therefore a larger capacitator is needed to hold a given power level for a given number of years. Personally, I think 10% is a better estimate than the 20% which you used.

Using the 10% numbers, I ran them through and found a recommended 572 wt psu, which your 600 wt fits nicely. Unless you add a bunch more hardware, your chosen psu looks good.
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