Antec Earthwatts 380w PSU and 4890

[s_nova4]

So, I have a budget gaming system that has been running for about six months with an Antec Earthwatts 380w PSU. Here are the specs:

-Pentium Dual-Core e5200
-2GB Memory
-4850
-1 SATA HD
-1 DVD burner
-Earthwatts 380w

There are 2 small upgrades I want to make. I used an online PSU calculator and it looks like the PSU can support what I want to do, but I thought I should look for advice. The calculator said the system with 4890 would only need about 260w.

1) Overclock e5200 to 3.0Ghz and add 2 GB memory

2) Add 4890

Will the Earthwatts 380w be sufficient? Keep in mind it has 27A for the dual 12v rails.

 

[dirtmountain]

The closest i could come to your system is this system builder marathon build.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/core-2-overclock,2310-14.html
http://mark.zoomcities.com/images/gfx/GFXpowerchartbybrandgen.png

the HD4890 uses about 50 watts more power than the GTX260, so you'd be up at 340-350 watts. I sure wouldn't recommend using your 380w PSU with the build.

 

[s_nova4]

The closest i could come to your system is this system builder marathon build.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/core-2-overclock,2310-14.html
http://mark.zoomcities.com/images/gfx/GFXpowerchartbybrandgen.png

the HD4890 uses about 50 watts more power than the GTX260, so you'd be up at 340-350 watts. I sure wouldn't recommend using your 380w PSU with the build.

Excellent link. Thanks for responding.

My question now: will the Earthwatts 380w be enough for overclocking the CPU to 3.0 Ghz for a little above?

I plan on waiting for the Radeon 5000 series to come out anyways, so I'll just buy a better PSU then, and either get a cheaper 4890 or a 5850 if the price is right.

 

[amnotanoobie]

It should be alright. Unless it is more than 2 years old, then I'm really not sure.

 

[dirtmountain]

I'd have no problems using it with the overclocked E5200 and a HD4850.

 

[s_nova4]

I'd have no problems using it with the overclocked E5200 and a HD4850.

Awesome. Thanks for all the help!

I'll upgrade my PSU when I upgrade my GPU.