Tom's Hardware > Forum > CPU & Components > Power Supplies, PC Cases & Case Mods > Antec Earthwatts 380w PSU and 4890

Antec Earthwatts 380w PSU and 4890

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s_nova4   09-11-2009 at 09:40:03 AM

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.


Message edited by s_nova4 on 09-11-2009 at 09:41:26 AM
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dirtmountain   09-11-2009 at 10:15:48 AM

The closest i could come to your system is this system builder marathon build.
http://www.tomshardware.com/review [...] 10-14.html
http://mark.zoomcities.com/images/ [...] andgen.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.

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s_nova4   09-11-2009 at 10:43:48 AM

dirtmountain wrote :

The closest i could come to your system is this system builder marathon build.
http://www.tomshardware.com/review [...] 10-14.html
http://mark.zoomcities.com/images/ [...] andgen.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.

Reply to s_nova4
amnotanoobie   09-11-2009 at 02:01:00 PM

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

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dirtmountain   09-11-2009 at 02:57:31 PM

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

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s_nova4   09-11-2009 at 04:59:32 PM

dirtmountain wrote :

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.

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