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My PSU powerful enough?

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CompG33k   07-07-2007 at 02:22:35 AM

Hi

I'm looking to upgrade my older rig which is still using agp to prolong its life. I just have a quick question. Currently my rig has a 380 watt power supply which is rated with 24 amps on 12 volts. However I do want to upgrade from my 9800 pro to a 7800gs or at least a 7600gt. My question is will my power supply be enough even though both the 7800gs and 7600gt have a minimum requirement of 400watt PSU with 26amps on 12 volts. My current rig consists of:

AMD 3500+
ASUS Mobo
1 x 80 gb SATA HDD
1 x 160gb SATA HDD
1 gb OCZ DDR400 Premier ram
Antec Sonata
ATi 9800 pro 128mb

thanks for your comments as they are greatly valued and appreciated.

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lostandwandering   07-07-2007 at 03:38:39 AM
- 0 +

I have no idea were the 26 amps recommendation came from. Everything I have seen for the 7600GT says 400watt and 18 amps. You would be fine. You could handle a 7900GS with that PSU (400watts and 20amps). Actually now that I look, you could put a 7950GT in your system. I think the 26amp rating you saw was for SLI not a single card set-up, which is what you are looking for if I'm not mistaken.

Reply to lostandwandering
xciter   07-07-2007 at 03:38:05 PM
- 0 +

What brand is you psu?Best to show a photo of the sticker on the psu.

Reply to xciter
Gamesua   07-07-2007 at 03:52:47 PM
- 0 +

Quote :

What brand is you psu?Best to show a photo of the sticker on the psu.


He has an Antec Sonata, with Antec 380W PSU.
I don't think it should be a problem..

Reply to Gamesua
xciter   07-07-2007 at 04:28:12 PM
- 0 +

It will handle even 8800 if you don`t clock.

Reply to xciter
CompG33k   07-07-2007 at 10:31:30 PM
- 0 +

However since my rig is agp based i was wondering if a sapphire x1950pro would be suited for my rig based on my power supply. I believe the recommended PSU is 450 watt but i've heard some people of running this card with 350watt. Can anybody confirm this? A sapphire x1950pro 512mb is going for approx 185 Canadian which is a good deal when compared to a BFG 7800gs OC which goes for 230 after $40 MIR

thanks in Advance

Message quoted 1 times
Reply to CompG33k
xciter   07-07-2007 at 10:40:54 PM
- 0 +

At Price/ performance the 1950 is the best choise. And don`t worry the PSU will work fine. Even if you overclock.

Reply to xciter
SuicideSilence   07-07-2007 at 11:19:26 PM
- 0 +

Quote :

It will handle even 8800 if you don`t clock.



i highly doubt that

Reply to SuicideSilence
lostandwandering   07-07-2007 at 11:38:35 PM
- 0 +

Quote :

At Price/ performance the 1950 is the best choise. And don`t worry the PSU will work fine. Even if you overclock.



The 1950 requires 30amps on the +12v rails. The 8800 needs 26. Both of those options are stretching his PSU beyond it's limits.

Reply to lostandwandering
womble   07-07-2007 at 11:51:10 PM
- 0 +

I'm sort of in the same boat as you but with a 420W Thermaltake power supply (though the +12V rail on mine looks miserable..18A - 216W)

The following link might be of interest as it has a breakdown of the most popular cards:-

GPU power requirements

I've been looking at the 7900gs as that looks pretty efficient, about the same as my 9800pro. Also been mighty tempted by a nice passively cooled 1950pro, but a little worried about the extra wattage and face it Nvidia's drivers seem better for linux.

Seems to be weird info on some of the card manufacturers' sites e.g. can't see bugger all on ATI sites for power requirements and the last Nvidia one I looked at seem to like quoting only for SLI power requirements.

Hopefully you should be OK, reasonable 12V rail and your not running a P4 Prescott!

Reply to womble
Zorg   07-08-2007 at 12:16:24 AM
- 0 +

Quote :

What brand is you psu?Best to show a photo of the sticker on the psu.


Quote :

He has an Antec Sonata, with Antec 380W PSU.
I don't think it should be a problem..Is that the Smart power 380?


Yipes :!:


Message edited by Zorg on 07-26-2007 at 07:57:39 PM
Reply to Zorg
CompG33k   07-08-2007 at 12:23:17 AM
- 0 +

I believe it is the Antec TruePower 380watt PSU but it will be able to power the sapphire x1950 pro right?

Reply to CompG33k
blade85   07-08-2007 at 12:27:01 AM
- 0 +

Quote :

However since my rig is agp based i was wondering if a sapphire x1950pro would be suited for my rig based on my power supply. I believe the recommended PSU is 450 watt but i've heard some people of running this card with 350watt. Can anybody confirm this? A sapphire x1950pro 512mb is going for approx 185 Canadian which is a good deal when compared to a BFG 7800gs OC which goes for 230 after $40 MIR

thanks in Advance



my rig is in my sig :wink:

22A on the +12V rail.

Reply to blade85
TonyStark   07-09-2007 at 05:42:08 PM
- 0 +

CompG33k wrote :

However since my rig is agp based i was wondering if a sapphire x1950pro would be suited for my rig based on my power supply. I believe the recommended PSU is 450 watt but i've heard some people of running this card with 350watt. Can anybody confirm this? A sapphire x1950pro 512mb is going for approx 185 Canadian which is a good deal when compared to a BFG 7800gs OC which goes for 230 after $40 MIR

 

thanks in Advance

 

Power consumption of graphics cards is over exaggerated.

 

The x1950PRO sucks about 65W of juice, most of which comes from the 12V rail. That equates to about 5 Amps of current.

 

Source:
playtool

 

xbitlabs

 


EDIT: forum screwed up my links.


Message edited by TonyStark on 07-09-2007 at 05:48:53 PM
Reply to TonyStark
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