Geforce 8800 GTS 320MB Power Requirements

[spawn_eternal]

Hi

I am purchasing a Geforce 8800 GTS 320MB next week. I had a look on the web as to what the power requirements are for this card and most web sites mentioned that one requires a minimum power supply of 400W with 26A output. I currently have a 400W PSU, but with 18A output on the 12V rail. I had a look a other power supplies (from 500W up to 1000W) like Antec, Vantec, Enermax, Thermaltake etc. and they all range between 18A and 20A on the 12V rail. Isn't there a possibility that the "26A" rating is a rating combined from all the other rails put together. Because I couldn't find a power supply with a 26A rating on the 12V rail alone. All that I can think is that all the rails' outputs measured together can give one 26A. Could someone please shed some light on the situation please.

 

[doolittle]

Check out PSU 101 from the Hardware -> Power Supplies, PC Cases & Case Mods section in the forums.

The GTS is said to consume about 115w...

The Truth About Graphics Power Requirements V2[/url]"]nVidia Single Cards
8800 GTS ________}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}|' 115W ^

hence, in itself it will only need less than 10A at max alone, so a typical recommended PSU that has a +12v@26A / 312W combined wattage on all the +12v rails would be a good fit for a "basic" system (1 hdd/dvd 2 fans, etc). Read the sticky for more details it describes a way to get a custom system recommendation based on your specs using a psu calculator.

I also have the 8800gts320 along with an opty 175/2gb/3hdd's/1dvd/4 fans on an antec TPII-480w which is rated for 33A max on the +12v rails.

 

[bourgeoisdude]

Doolittle is correct--look at my story below

Granted mine is all on one rail, but if this 3-year-old monster of a psu for the time (in 2004 who could beat a single 30A 12v rail on one psu?!?) can handle the 8800gts so far so good, you are probably ok if your psu has two of those 18A rails (or 18A + 17A or whatever).

 

[dpgqb]

what specific, cost-effective reliable power supplies would you guys recommend to run this card?

I plan on running a Core 2 duo 6420 overclocked, DS3 mobo, 1 dvd drive, 1 HD, and a GTS 320 w/ probably 2 case fans

need something that'll do the job and will last but wont cost alot

 

[Dr_asik]

If you have dual +12V rails, then both having 18A is enough, the total should be at least 26A. That's typical of 450W PSUs though, 400W is usually 18A/16A (if it's a quality PSU).

If your unit is a quality PSU, like a Fortron, Antec, Seasonic, XClio, etc., and have 18A/16A, give it a try, even though you're a wee bit short on amperage. I think it should run flawlessly nonetheless.

 

[CaptKrunch]

DR ASIK,

So if a video card claims a 26 amp draw and your psu rating states 18 amps on 12v1 12v2 12v3 and 12v4 then is it safe to assume that it's passing more than 18 amps on a single rail? I am not getting this. Does a PCI-E connector pull from the 5v and 12v amp limits? Is the 18amp rating on the 12v rail talking about the 12v rail of a pci-e connector? Is this the way it works, it pulls 18 amps off of the 12v line in the pci-e connector and then the remaining amps off the 5v wire inside the pci-e connector? I have no idea, but I am assuming because a crap load of SLI Certified PSU's are claiming they can run dual 8800 gts cards and the 12v amp draw for a multirail PSU usually doesn't exceed 18 amps. Yet they are certified for the video cards. I purchased an XCLIO toughpower 650 watt modular supply and it's on the certified sli for 8800 gts list. Heck, I'm worried it won't run one. http://www.xclio.com/product/PSU_GreatPower/x14-650w.htm LOOK ON THE 4TH TAB.

 

[JAYDEEJOHN]

Enermax noisetaker2 485 watts. Solid and powerful enuff

 

[tdank]

dbl post

 

[tdank]

I tried my first 8800GTS on a low quality 485w PSU. It nuked it. Luckily no hardware damage other than the PSU going up.

DONT SKIMP ON THE PSU PEOPLE!



Yes, its important enough for all caps.

 

[TonyStark]

The card will use about 120 Watts from the 12V rail, or about 10Amps. A 450W PSU with 30Amps on the 12V rail should be fine.

 

[TSIMonster]

There are a lot of PSUs out there that can handle a GTS. What is your price range?

Theres ya a good one for $95 with free shipping:
Corsair 520
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=373100

 

[Dr_asik]

DR ASIK,

So if a video card claims a 26 amp draw and your psu rating states 18 amps on 12v1 12v2 12v3 and 12v4 then is it safe to assume that it's passing more than 18 amps on a single rail? I am not getting this. Does a PCI-E connector pull from the 5v and 12v amp limits? Is the 18amp rating on the 12v rail talking about the 12v rail of a pci-e connector? Is this the way it works, it pulls 18 amps off of the 12v line in the pci-e connector and then the remaining amps off the 5v wire inside the pci-e connector? I have no idea, but I am assuming because a crap load of SLI Certified PSU's are claiming they can run dual 8800 gts cards and the 12v amp draw for a multirail PSU usually doesn't exceed 18 amps. Yet they are certified for the video cards. I purchased an XCLIO toughpower 650 watt modular supply and it's on the certified sli for 8800 gts list. Heck, I'm worried it won't run one. http://www.xclio.com/product/PSU_GreatPower/x14-650w.htm LOOK ON THE 4TH TAB.

With 4 12v rails with 18A each you have plenty of power for most cards, not sure about SLI 8800GTX but anything else is good.

XClio makes excellent PSUs, don't worry about a 650W unit from them running an 8800GTS.

 

[rodr]

im also gettin a GTS-320 MB, and im gonna buy it along this PSU

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16817103942

its an Antec Trio 430 W with 32 A on the +12 rails.

 

[Guest]

So essentially I could buy a 600w power supply and still be able to run dual 8800GTS's with 2 sata drives, dvd burner, 3 fans, amd 5200 x2 proc and mobo and be safe?

 

[daverimer]

What is up sir. I build a similar rig to the one you are proposing.
E6400 OC'd, 2GB RAM @ 800mhz, 8800GTS 320MB, 5 Casefans, 2 optical drives, 1 HD. To go along with all this wonderful equipment I use the Seasonic M12 600W power supply.

I have had zero problems and having a modular power supply was nice b/c that area of my P180b got a little crowded with the fan in the bottom part of the case.

Here is the link to the ps on newegg:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151030

good luck!

 

[bourgeoisdude]

So essentially I could buy a 600w power supply and still be able to run dual 8800GTS's with 2 sata drives, dvd burner, 3 fans, amd 5200 x2 proc and mobo and be safe?

Again, that depends on the wattage going to the +12V rails. Most 600W power supplies will do, yes, but really cheap ones may not. Check the amperage for the 12V rails--I can say that at 600 Watts assuming there are two or more +12V rails most likely it will handle it. Also look to see if it is SLI certified (or that it has two PCIx 6-pin power connectors).

Oh, and I've heard great things about SeaSonic power supplies (never used them personally) too, and based on the specs the one daverimer suggested is more than adequate for that configuration.