Tom's Hardware > Forum > Graphic & Displays > Graphics Cards > Is my PSU powerful enough for a Radeon HD 3850??

Is my PSU powerful enough for a Radeon HD 3850??

Forum Graphic & Displays : Graphics Cards - Is my PSU powerful enough for a Radeon HD 3850??

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staypuft728   09-15-2008 at 07:25:23 PM

I would greatly appreciate it if someone could let me know if my system has the power to run a PowerColor Radeon HD 3850 512mb AGP http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814131090
I have an Allied AL-A400ATX PSU
http://www.firingsquad.com/hw/6652 [...] _400W_PSU/
I also found this, but i am not quite sure if this means my computer will be ok
http://www.tomshardware.com/review [...] 26-18.html

Thanks in Advance for the Help!

My System: Asus K8NE-Deluxe, AMD 64 Athlon 3200+, 2gb ram

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Kaldor   09-15-2008 at 07:29:49 PM
- 0 +

It will probably be OK. 3850 doesnt take that much power. However, buying a quality 500 watt wouldnt be a bad idea.

Reply to Kaldor
staypuft728   09-15-2008 at 08:01:45 PM
- 0 +

oh yeah one more thing i wanted to use my viewsonic a90f+ CRT monitor with it. Im not sure if this makes a difference as far as power consumption goes.

Reply to staypuft728
evongugg   09-15-2008 at 08:12:57 PM
- 0 +

The recommended system requirements for the HD3850 is a 450watt power supply with 6-pin PCI express power connector.

Certified power supplies are recommended. Refer to http://ati.amd.com/certifiedPSU for a list of Certified products.

------------------------------ Google is your friend and Bob's your uncle
 Reply to evongugg
MrCommunistGen   09-15-2008 at 08:15:48 PM
- 0 +

That is an old style PSU with only 17A on the 12v rail. You should definitely get a modern quality PSU. The monitor plugs into the wall and won't affect power draw on the PSU.

-mcg

Reply to MrCommunistGen
jamesgoddard   09-15-2008 at 08:24:42 PM
- -1 +

Save up a few more $ and get a new PCI express rig - don't waste monry on old tech

Reply to jamesgoddard
Shadow703793   09-15-2008 at 08:39:51 PM
- 0 +

^+1.

Your Allied PSU is cr@p. Get a REAL PSU like a Corsair or a PC Power & Cooling.

------------------------------ http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2617/3815217176_0a5be7955d_o.gif
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3553/3818083596_1a772f7162_o.gif
 Reply to Shadow703793
megamanx00   09-15-2008 at 08:56:48 PM
- 0 +

It only has 17A on the 12v Rail. You might be able to run run it, depending on the power draw of your other components, but that could be pushing the power supply and the load on that rail could cause it to fail sooner rather than latter. Newer power supplies will generally have more Amps on the 12v rail and less on the 5v and 3v rails. I think you may be better off going with a 3650 AGP as you will generally be CPU limited with a 3850.

If you go with the 3850 then try running 3D Mark. If you hear a high pitched wine at anytime turn off the system IMMEDIATELY. Just flip that power switch on that surge protector because that's the sound of your PSU crying out in pain ^_^. In that event I would recommend investing in a good high quality PSU that you can make part of your next build.

------------------------------ Playing X-Men Origins: Wolverine Athlon 64 X2 5000+ @3.24 Brisbane | GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-DS4 | 4GB Mushkin DDR2 1066 | Plextor 760A| 2x 3850 512M CF| WD 1TB Black| Fortron Blue Storm II 500W | APEVIA X-Dreamer Black | Win XP Pro & Vista Buisness 32bit
 Reply to megamanx00
staypuft728   09-15-2008 at 11:54:14 PM
- 0 +

Thank you so much for your responses. After reading the posts ive decided that a 2600xt would go good with my system considering it does not draw as much power. Im trying to make my system match that of an xbox 360 so i can enjoy games like dead space, lost planet and mirrors edge w/ out spending 300$ to get an actual 360.

Reply to staypuft728
Shadow703793   09-16-2008 at 03:31:29 AM
- 0 +

2600XT ain't going to cut it imo.

------------------------------ http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2617/3815217176_0a5be7955d_o.gif
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3553/3818083596_1a772f7162_o.gif
 Reply to Shadow703793
staypuft728   09-16-2008 at 04:11:27 AM
- 0 +

well considering my system specs. (Im not going to upgrade my PSU) do you know what would work best. maybe 3650? Thanks

Reply to staypuft728
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