400w Generic PSU

[noexpert]

Hi i have 400w psu with 20A on the +12V rail, don't know if that is exact.
What kind of graphics card will i be able to use with this.

I think the 7600GT could be fine but is there any chance of anything better like a 7900gs or 8600gt, i doubt it but wanted to know what you guys think.

Thanks

 

[zenmaster]

The 8600GT does not use much more power and would be fine.

The problem with Generic PSUs is that you do not know how well they really operate. A "Good" 400w PSU such as one from FSP likely has far more usable Watts and Amps than a non-name 400w PSU.

This is why you often see those crazy hi PSU requirements listed for many Graphics cards.

http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/08/21/energy-efficient_computing_options/page5.html#single_graphics_cards

Looks like the 7900GS, 7900GT and the 7950GT are all quite tame on the power. These may be decent choices as well.

 

[Falken699]

Generic... I don't see exactly what good can come of using one, even the "big name" PSU makers can have problems, you'd best not bother with a generic psu at all.

 

[noexpert]

This psu came with the my old PC package i bought.

I agree with zenmaster you can't really know how good generic psu's actually are.