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PSU calculator says 840 watts, but 700 watt works fine?




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The pOwErrrrrrrrrrrr
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If you look at my computer setup it will say everything i have hooked up power wise etc. I went to the extreme overclockers page and used their PSU calculator to find out how many watts i really need. It said i need atleast about 840 Watts. I am running a thermaltake 700 Watt Toughpower psu and the 3v,5v, and 12v does not move if at all, so its stable power and what are some issues i would see if not enough power is needed because right now im just a little iffy if i need to buy a 1000 watt psu for my needs because i have alot hooked up and OC'ed too. But overall i have ran stress tests and run high end games like commander etc and never had a reboot or problem...Is it possible I am close to the limit but not over it when im at 90-100 percent load? I need some opinions/answers please. I believe i have 4 12v rails. 2 are 18amps and 2 are 20amps? :bounce:


Message edited by domy85 on 10-08-2007 at 08:19:53 PM
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Those calculators over estimate power consume. That why i never use them. I base power consumption on actual power consumption measurements of the CPU and GPU from sites like xbitlabs.com, and reasonable power estimates based on prior research of other components.


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Q9450 |Corsair XMS 4GB DDR 800 | ABit IP35 Pro | X1900XT 512MB | Audigy 2 | Seasonic S12 550 | Cooler Master Centurion 532 | NEC LCD2690WUXi

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Isn't there a device you can plug in between your PSU and the electrical outlet that measures current? Kill-a-watt or something along those lines? Are they accurate?

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I meant measuring the power consumption of a specific component while idling or under load. Xbitlabs.com modified a few motherboards that allows them to take actual power measurements of the CPU and video cards.

The kill-a-watt will only measure how much power the entire system consumes including the power wasted as heat by the PSU.

Xbitlabs.com's methodology measures actual power consumption of the components after the PSU has already wasted some of the electricity as heat.


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Q9450 |Corsair XMS 4GB DDR 800 | ABit IP35 Pro | X1900XT 512MB | Audigy 2 | Seasonic S12 550 | Cooler Master Centurion 532 | NEC LCD2690WUXi

There is no such thing as a stupid question.
But there are stupid people.
Profile: addict
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840 watts is required?

Somebody want to check the math.

Unless I missed something, I came up with a lot less.


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What are your specifications?
Here is a link on a quality PSU, should make you feel better about your rig.
8800gtx on 380w PSU!
http://www.overclockers.com/articles1452/

The pOwErrrrrrrrrrrr
Profile: stranger
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My specs are in my configuration, go there to see all what I have. From reading that article is seems like my 700 watt psu thermaltake tough power is enough :P Thanks


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