How much Wattage does this computer need?

[eryx24]

Title says it all, I need to know how many Watts I need with this computer, I've been told around 500-550, I was planning on buying a 650W PSU but now I'm wanting to know if I should go lower to save money.


LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH22NS30
Antec Twelve Hundred
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA
HIS Hightech H487F1GP Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5
CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775

Few things here and there might change, but nothing major, if I change something it'll be on par with the item I replaced.

If I can go lower than 650W, any PSU's you guys can suggest?

 

[amdfangirl]

Hi,
I think that you should just buy a decent 650W PSU, rather leave some breathing room for expansion, than having to buy a better PSU later. Plus the price difference is pretty slim.

 

[Outlander_04]

Using the psu calculator at http://extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp

and taking a couple of guesses about fans + adding a bunch of USB devices plugged in then it will max out at less than 300 Watts

PSU dont reach maximum efficiency at 50% loading so the draw from the wall will be a little more 360 - 380 watts . Much less at idle of course .

 

[theAnimal]

Good quality 500W would be lots of power.

Antec Earthwatts 500, Seasonic S12II 500, PC P&C Silencer 500, Corsair VX550 would all be good choices.

 

[WR2]

Using the psu calculator at http://extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp
and taking a couple of guesses about fans + adding a bunch of USB devices plugged in then it will max out at less than 300 Watts

PSU dont reach maximum efficiency at 50% loading so the draw from the wall will be a little more 360 - 380 watts . Much less at idle of course .

The PSU calculator lite @ extreme.outervision.com recommends the size of PSU for the system components chosen - not the power draw of those components.
And most PSUs DO reach maximum efficiency @ 50% loading - with power/efficiency curves that look like this:

 

[techwizard08]

+1 Animal for the silencer--great PSU and not too noisy...

 

[eryx24]

So 500W would cut it? I'd really like to spend less on a PSU so I can switch my graphics card to a GTX 260 216 core, also I might switch to a Quad core 2.4 or 2.66ghz so would 500W still work?

 

[WR2]

A good 500W PSU will work with any CPU you can put in the EP45-UD3P motherboard and a single GTX 260 or HD 4870.
Both those video cards have performance so close it really doesnt matter which one you pick for a single card system
However the EP45-UD3P does support 2 ATI cards in Crossfire mode. Something to keep in mind.

 

[techwizard08]

As WR2 is getting at, if you choose to go SLI/CROSSFIRE you will be underpowered, and have to upgrade the PSU at that time in addition to purchasing the second GPU

 

[eryx24]

Nope I'm not gonna SLI or Crossfire.

 

[techwizard08]

Then 500W (from a reliable manufacturer) would probably carry your system well--just dont try to throw in 8 raptors later

 

[theAnimal]

Then 500W (from a reliable manufacturer) would probably carry your system well--just dont try to throw in 8 raptors later

Raptors use less power than regular HDDs...

Edit: Meant to say Velociraptors.

 

[techwizard08]

A raptor averages 10 watts on read/write, a caviar blue 8.6

The point was just not to go crazy adding things, don't you see the winking face?! *breaks down in tears*

 

[techwizard08]

The velociraptor might use less given it's a 2.5" drive in that ice cage thing...

 

[theAnimal]

The velociraptor might use less given it's a 2.5" drive in that ice cage thing...

I got the wink, and was probably thinking of the VR.

 

[RiotSniperX]

Take this link for all ur psu needs, sorta

http://extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp

i need a 850 watts (THANKS FOR THE FANS ANTEC!)
but im getting a nice HX1000watt from Corsair, cant go wrong with a reliable company like, Corsair,Antec,and PCP&P

 

[4745454b]

If your sure your not going to SLI/CF later on, take the animals advice. (its the same I would have gave.) AMDfangirl also has a point. If you might upgrade to SLI/CF later, or have plans to upgrade to something else, buying a 600W+ now MIGHT be a good idea. Why spend $75 on a 500W now if you'll need to buy a $100 650W 12 months from now to power your new video card?

 

[eryx24]

Yeah good point 4745454b.

 

[Shadow703793]

Pay attention to the Amps not the Watts. W=A*V (Amps times volts)
If you know the how much amps you need (ie ~30A for 4870 just to be safe,etc) needed and you can calculate Wattage for +12,+5,+3.3 rails.

 

[eryx24]

Thanks for all the help everyone, I decided to get http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005

 

[Guest]

Thanks for all the help everyone, I decided to get http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005

i think its WAY TOO MUCH but.. as you wish!
500 should be plenty enough!!!

 

[eryx24]

I knwo its a lot but what if I wanna upgrade my graphic card a few years down the line?

 

[Shadow703793]

^Yes, you can easily go up to a 4870X2 or GTX 280 SLI.

See:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-radeon-power,2122-6.html

 

[kawininjazx]

Dont be so cheap on the PSU, if it goes out it can kill a lot of stuff in your computer. I have a setup similar to yours and I run a corsair 750 watt, I wouldn't go any lower.

 

[daskrabbe]

750 watt is a bad idea. The psu becomes increasingly inefficient when running at very low percentage of maximum output. That's extra heat in your pc and money on your electrical bill. Sure you have a nice e-penis, but is it worth it?