New PSU

[xGrunt21]

Im about to upgrade to the new Radeon 5770 video card and need a PSU that will handle it and future upgrades. I have a budget of $50 but can go to $60. This is what Ive found so far. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817702010

My PC specs are:
GA-EP35-DS3L/S3L Motherboard
Intel Pentium Dual Core E2180
2gb of ram
7200 rpm hard drive
Antec 380W PSU (current psu came with my case)
Radeon 5770 (soon to be after I get a PSU)

 

[WR2]

I think you could safely run a 5770 and your system with the Antec 380W PSU.
It is the Earthwatts 380 model, with 1 PCI-e video card power cable, right?

 

[WR2]

The PC used for running this test was a Core i7-965 Extreme 3.2GHz on a Gigabyte EX58-UD5 with 6GB of RAM
Details and other test results here.

 

[antec_rep]

Hi Xgrunt21,

The 380W power supply can technically run that video card, but it would always be running at maximum load, which isn't good for the lifespan of any power supply.

If you are still sticking with Antec (and we hope you will!), check out the EA-430, for a price of around $55 USD.

Thanks,
The Antec Team

 

[xGrunt21]

Thank you for the help. I found a Antec Basiq 550 Plus for $39.99 at Frys which is price at $64.99 on Newegg.

 

[delluser1]

The 380W power supply can technically run that video card, but it would always be running at maximum load, which isn't good for the lifespan of any power supply.

Hi, just want to share an example of what the EA 380 can do,

P5N-E SLI
Pentium D 3.0 @ 3.6
2x1 Ballistix Tracers
2 x 160g HD's Raid 0
2 x DVD RW
3 x 120mm Fans
2 x 80mm fans
8800 GTS 512 OC ( power consumption equal to a 5770 )
EA380

The system above draws 346 watts from the wall according to a Killawatt meter ( Running Prime and Furmark ), at 80% efficiency that's around a 276 watt load on the psu.
Under normal use the psu is never going to be loaded as high, the OP would be fine with his 380.

Now if we could just get invisik to show up and tell you about his exploits with an EA500 and dual GTX260's

 

[WR2]

That $40 is 25% of the cost of a 5770. The Antec guy sold you another PSU you probably didn't need. You could have tested the 5770 with your EA380. If it was unhappy providing the amount of power you need it would let you know, much louder fan sounds and pumping more heat out of the PSU fan opening.
What video card are you replacing?

Maybe you can return the PSU un-opened?

 

[xGrunt21]

Im sorry I should of added that I was going to replace most of the parts in my computer including the case and using them to make my friend a computer. The case Im looking at is the Antec 900 and it doesn't come with a PSU so Im still going to need a new PSU when I get the case. The video card I have right now is the XFX Nivida 8800 GS. Once again sorry for not adding what I was fully planning.

Specs of what Im going to buy overtime (Parts might change if prices drop before I get them)

Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200
GA-EP35-DS3L/S3L Motherboard (currently using)
Radeon 5770
4gb Ram
7200 rpm hard drive
Antec 900 case
Antec Basiq 550 Plus (ordered)
Gigabyte Wireless Card (currently using)
SATA card (currently using)