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[Solved] How Much Wattage Does One Reallly Need?

Forum CPU & Components : Power Supplies, PC Cases & Case Mods - [Solved] How Much Wattage Does One Reallly Need?

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Best answer from JohnnyLucky.

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mcattack77   09-03-2009 at 06:15:26 PM

So for your typical crossfire/sli build, how much wattage is considered enough without paying for more than you need? I see all types of power supplies that are 750W+ and I think to myself wow thats a bit overkill unless I am rocking some of the higher end cards/cpus or multiple drives, overclocking etc....

I guess I am looking for a general mid range performance feeler, how much power would one need with a decent quad core cpu(~PH II 955), 4GB ram, 1 hard drive, and lets say a single 4870 gpu? How about crossfired? CPU overclock?

I just see 750 watts as being a bit overkill. I'd be more inclined to go with a 650 or 620 watt unit instead, even for overclocking. Thoughts?

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Best answer from JohnnyLucky
The general rule of thumbs are:

A high quality 500 to 550 watt power supply with sufficent current (amps) on the 12 volt rail(s) can easily handle a pc with any single video card made.

A high quality 700 to 750 watt power supply with sufficent current (amps) on the 12 volt rail(s) can easily handle a pc with any two video cards operating in dual mode.

There may be a few exceptions.

Most people think they need a lot more power because they do not do any research and do not know how much power a system at full load will draw at the electrical wall outlet.
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Silver CPUs badge JohnnyLucky   09-03-2009 at 06:23:41 PM
Best answer

The general rule of thumbs are:

A high quality 500 to 550 watt power supply with sufficent current (amps) on the 12 volt rail(s) can easily handle a pc with any single video card made.

A high quality 700 to 750 watt power supply with sufficent current (amps) on the 12 volt rail(s) can easily handle a pc with any two video cards operating in dual mode.

There may be a few exceptions.

Most people think they need a lot more power because they do not do any research and do not know how much power a system at full load will draw at the electrical wall outlet.

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