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PSU Based Graphics decision. Assistance Required

Forum Graphic & Displays : Graphics Cards - PSU Based Graphics decision. Assistance Required

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TenaciousleyDead   08-30-2007 at 10:33:01 PM

Hello, I recently sold my x850xt and am looking for a mid-ranged card. Problem is I dont think my powersupply will be able to handle the newer card. My x850xt had amp problems(i think) because it wouldnt overclock more than 15Mhz core, but mem would go atleast 200Mhz more(ram takes less voltage?). The cards i was looking at are
-x1950pro(XT)
-7900GS(GT,GTX)
i was sold on the x1950 but the amp rating dissuaded me, im pretty sure id need to buy a new powersupply.
this is my powersupply: http://www.antec.com/us/productDet [...] odID=26400
I could not find the amp ratings on most cards, but anything under my x850xt amp im sure would be fine. Advice needed, Thank you.

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nucleus   08-30-2007 at 10:48:11 PM
- 0 +

can not find my box that my 1950pro came in,but i think you need a minimum of 450 watts.jeez i believe you need 30 amp on 12v rails.


Message edited by nucleus on 08-30-2007 at 10:57:12 PM
Reply to nucleus
TenaciousleyDead   08-30-2007 at 11:05:59 PM
- 0 +

yup and i think mine is 15a on the 12v(laughable if this wasnt serious). im curious about the 7900GTX cards amperage, and if all else fails any suggestions on a powersupply under 70$ would be helpfull.

Reply to TenaciousleyDead
Anoobis   08-30-2007 at 11:23:59 PM
- 0 +

The X1950Pro will use nearly the same power as the X850XT. But you could run into the same power problems when overclocking.

A 7900GS would be a good option that wouldn't require a new PSU. There is probably even some headroom to overclock the 7900GS, which is a strong overclocker.

------------------------------ I was thinking of the immortal words of Socrates who said, "I drank what?"[/Chris Knight]
You know what ole Jack Burton says at a time like this? Ole Jack says...what the hell[/Jack Burton]

This forum format sucks. Bring back the old one.
 Reply to Anoobis
lostandwandering   08-30-2007 at 11:25:35 PM
- 0 +

I think the recommended for the 7900GTX was 26amps, but I'm not 100 percent positive. The 7900GS was 20, I know that, and the 7950GT was 22. Not sure about the 7900GT.

PSU's: coming as close as possible to your limit.

FSP w/ 30 amps: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817104037

Corsair VX450 33amps (not in stock): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139003

Antec w/30amps (not sure about this series though): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817371006

------------------------------ LAPTOP: Sager NP5760|T7200|2gb DDR2-667| 100gb 7200rpm HDD| 512mb 7950GTX|17'' WUXGA

Desktop: Core2 E7200 | Corsair 2gb DDR2-800 | Gigabyte EP35-DS3L | 250gb Seagate Barracuda | MSI GTX260 (192 SP) | Corsair VX550 | Antec 300 case
Reply to lostandwandering
nucleus   08-30-2007 at 11:27:00 PM
- 0 +

try neweeg or pricewatch.make sure to read the warranty information also,in case a part needs to be returned


Message edited by nucleus on 08-30-2007 at 11:27:55 PM
Reply to nucleus
TenaciousleyDead   08-30-2007 at 11:36:49 PM
- 0 +

The warrenty for what?, i was gonna buy the 7900 second hand. And any idea about the x850xt's amps? so i can compare the other cards, ive been lookin all over for it.

Reply to TenaciousleyDead
Anoobis   08-30-2007 at 11:36:52 PM
- 0 +

I prefer this Mushkin 550W.

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817812002

 

EDIT: These new forums suck arse!! Embedding links is a standard feature on just about any forum. Gay.


Message edited by Anoobis on 08-30-2007 at 11:39:11 PM
------------------------------ I was thinking of the immortal words of Socrates who said, "I drank what?"[/Chris Knight]
You know what ole Jack Burton says at a time like this? Ole Jack says...what the hell[/Jack Burton]

This forum format sucks. Bring back the old one.
 Reply to Anoobis
Gravemind123   08-30-2007 at 11:39:26 PM
- 0 +

7900GS uses 45W only at stock, but can overclock quite well, and should still use less power then a stock X1950Pro. A 7900GT even uses less power at stock then an X1950Pro does and also uses less then an X850XT. You should be fine with a 7-series card other then the 7900GTX.

Message quoted 1 times
Reply to Gravemind123
lostandwandering   08-30-2007 at 11:43:42 PM
- 0 +

Gravemind123 wrote :

7900GS uses 45W only at stock, but can overclock quite well, and should still use less power then a stock X1950Pro. A 7900GT even uses less power at stock then an X1950Pro does and also uses less then an X850XT. You should be fine with a 7-series card other then the 7900GTX.



Watts aren't the only thing in question here. Amps are more important for GPUs and if he can't supply enough there could be some serious problems, i.e the card won't perform right or just not at all.

Anoobis, do you prefer it because of the modular cables? I tried to find reliable brands with the highest number of amps that I could. The Mushkin only has 28, which isn't bad, but future upgrades come into question. The Mushkin isn't a bad choice though.

Message quoted 1 times
------------------------------ LAPTOP: Sager NP5760|T7200|2gb DDR2-667| 100gb 7200rpm HDD| 512mb 7950GTX|17'' WUXGA

Desktop: Core2 E7200 | Corsair 2gb DDR2-800 | Gigabyte EP35-DS3L | 250gb Seagate Barracuda | MSI GTX260 (192 SP) | Corsair VX550 | Antec 300 case
Reply to lostandwandering
Anoobis   08-31-2007 at 12:11:10 AM
- 0 +

I just put it in as another suggestion. I do prefer the modular cables but that's just personal preference.

------------------------------ I was thinking of the immortal words of Socrates who said, "I drank what?"[/Chris Knight]
You know what ole Jack Burton says at a time like this? Ole Jack says...what the hell[/Jack Burton]

This forum format sucks. Bring back the old one.
 Reply to Anoobis
rockyjohn   08-31-2007 at 12:13:07 AM
- 0 +

lostandwandering wrote :

Watts aren't the only thing in question here. Amps are more important for GPUs and if he can't supply enough there could be some serious problems, i.e the card won't perform right or just not at all.



Since Watts = Amps times Volts, and all the cards run 12V, the relationship between Watts and Amps is direct and fixed. The card with the higher watts will also have the higher amps - in direct proportion to the difference in watts.

The x1950Pro at 66W uses marginally less power than your existing card at 68W. But if you are strongly inclined to use it I suggest you do a thorough analysis of power requirements as you might be operating near the margins and either small system changes, upgrades, or even just the normal weaking of a power supply over time could cause problems.

You did not provide information on total system requirements or your PSU. You can find a power supply calculator hear of you want to check your requirements futher and model different options.

http://www.extreme.outervision.com/psucalculator.jsp

I agree that a 7900GS which only draws 45W would be a good choice - I purchased one two weeks ago on sale for only $100. Another good choice is the 7950GT which is about 20-30% faster than the 7900GS and draws 49W. The 7950GT may cost over 30% more than the 7900GS so it depends on what premium you are prepared to pay for a little more speed.



Reply to rockyjohn
mactronix   08-31-2007 at 12:29:32 AM
- 0 +

Hey rockyjohn where are you pulling these wattage figures from is there finally an upto date site or is it just personal experiance.
The thing is i have a 400watt psu which has ran a 9800pro a X800xl and a X1650XT and was wondring how the wattages compared with a 1950pro
Thanks for any help
Mactronix

Reply to mactronix
TenaciousleyDead   08-31-2007 at 06:09:47 AM
- 0 +

i put the link to my powersupply which has all the details(first post). i have done a couple of those calculators, but they give you nothing in terms or amperage requirements(unless you want to pay). but thank you or providing the x850xt power req's. My system:
-Biostar Tforce-6100
-AMD x2 3800(2.5Ghz stock volt.)
-OCZ Performance 2x512, 2-3-3-5(2.8v)
-Maxtor SATA 150
-DVD R/W drive
-Wireless card
-2x80mm fans

Reply to TenaciousleyDead
randomizer   08-31-2007 at 06:49:10 AM
- 0 +

I'd go for the 7x00 series cards unless you want to upgrade your PSU, since it is not very powerful and it is a low quality unit.

Reply to randomizer
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