Hey all, just wondering if a corsair HX 520W provide enough juice to run this build:
Core 2 Duo E8500
GIGABYTE GA-X48-DQ6 LGA 775
Mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066
POWERCOLOR PCS+ HD4890
Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB
1 optical drive
I was initially looking at getting the 620W version, but if the extra 100W isn't necessary then id love to save a few $$. Im not wanting to add another vid card anytime soon, i'd just like to OC the CPU slightly.
If you go on mod websites where those guys show pics of their systems, a lot of them use non-modular power supplies. It's an art and its very doable to make it look nice. I used to always be a modular stickler but got over it when I had purchased the Corsair 750 watt psu.
There's controversy about the extra connections when you go modular interfering with your voltage continuity.
Get the 650 and save yourself some money and test your skills.
------------------------------EVGA 780i mobo | EVGA GTX 275 | Q9550 OC @ 3.6Ghz | 8Ghz 1066Mhz Corsair Memory | Corsair 1000 watt PSU | Coolermaster Stacker CM830 Case | Ultra TEC CPU Cooler | Vista Ultimate 64
Reply to englandr753
For 10 bucks less for the 650, it makes no sense to buy the 520. Why not get the extra head room? Do as you want, the 520 should run it but I don't see why you would shortchange yourself when it cost more to do so. Why not eliminate the IF's?
The thing to ask yourself is, "If I buy the TX650, what will I have left over from the power supply after I build my system?"
In your case, it looks like 2 cables with molex connectors and possibly 1 SATA power cable, depending on your case.
I have a GTX260 in an Antec 900 case for one of my computers. PSU is a TX750. I had one molex cable and two PCI-e power cables unused. I tied the cables down on the bottom of the case under the lower drive housing. With the side panel on, you can barely tell.
And anyway for the same price, I would rather have the reserve power capacity. Even if unused, the PSU will run cooler.
Some high end video cards require a 500 watt psu. It will likely run it fine but as jsc noted your psu will run cooler not running at its top end. I had 3 8800GTX ACS3 video cards in SLI, the cards themselves were hot enough to warrant a fan in the room to keep from sweating but my Corsair 1000 watt psu was throwing some heavy heat out as well.
Now that I went to 1 EVGA GTX 275 the fan is gone from the room and its actually cool. Largely in part due to the video card running much cooler but the psu is barely warm as well. Night and day difference.
If you want to run your psu at the top end and deal with the heat then go for it. It makes better sense to go with a higher capacity psu and run cooler. There are other modular options out there if you need a cheaper option.
The 520 should work ok but it will be hotter than the 620 I can assure you...
I suggest you go with 520W because even if you go with 620W, it will not be able to sustain 2 x 4890. So save some money now and when you will add another 4890, you will have to change the PSU anyway.
I suggest you go with 520W because even if you go with 620W, it will not be able to sustain 2 x 4890. So save some money now and when you will add another 4890, you will have to change the PSU anyway.
Save money? The 620 is 10 bucks cheaper than the 520 after rebate. That didn't make sense.
If you want the 520 then go for it. It should work fine. As I stated, it will run hotter than the 620 so if heat is no issue to you then go for it...
------------------------------EVGA 780i mobo | EVGA GTX 275 | Q9550 OC @ 3.6Ghz | 8Ghz 1066Mhz Corsair Memory | Corsair 1000 watt PSU | Coolermaster Stacker CM830 Case | Ultra TEC CPU Cooler | Vista Ultimate 64
Reply to englandr753
^That's what ATI/nVidia say. Actual power draw for any single GPU doesn't reach 222W under load. The Wattage recommendation is just that, a recommendation and not a requirement. One should worry more about rail stability, amps, voltage regulation,etc than wattage. Remember W = A*V. So by knowing the amps one can calculate wattage.
You can have your cake and eat it too if you buy a TruePower New. You get enough amperage for Crossfire, enough connectors (4), modular cables, and it is 80+ bronze. At $95 for 650W, (or $100 for 750W), that's a hard deal to pass up.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817371021