Tom's Hardware > Forum > CPU & Components > Power Supplies, PC Cases & Case Mods > Enough power on my 400W powersupply?

Enough power on my 400W powersupply?

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I'm looking at the PNY VCG98GTXPXPB GeForce 9800 GTX+ 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 card and just bought a OCZ 400W OCZ400SXS power supply. One concern I have with this card is that it says that it needs a 500W or higher power supply with the 12V current rating of 26A. Will I have a problem if I use the Molex->PCI-E plug converter?

 

Here's the rest of my system that I'm planning to build. Let's just do a quick check to make sure I have enough juice...

 

-AMD Phenom II X2 545 Callisto 3.0GHz that I plan on unlocking to a quad core
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103694
-GIGABYTE GA-MA785GM-US2H AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128394
-Possibly either this 9800 GTX+ video card (using a molex to substitute the missing second PCI-E plug) or a regular PNY GeForce 9800 GT EE card, that doesn't require any high amounts of juice
-RAM I still need to research, I'll probably jump on whatever good 2-4gig DDR2 deal I can find


Message edited by webvigator2k on 10-29-2009 at 12:44:55 AM
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On some PSUs you need to get up into the 500W range to find 26A of +12V

The data plate on the OCZ 400W OCZ400SXS indicated +12V with 372W or 31A.
http://images17.newegg.com/is/image/newegg/17-341-020-S05?$S640W$

It should run OK but when you start a gaming session it's probably going to get loud and hot.
I think you should start saving for a replacement PSU in the not too distant future.

Reply to WR2

I'd probably get a better power supply before you get a new vid card. I never skimp on the power supply when I do my builds. A bad power supply can fry your whole system, believe me I've seen it.

Reply to anonymousdude

anonymousdude wrote :

I'd probably get a better power supply before you get a new vid card. I never skimp on the power supply when I do my builds. A bad power supply can fry your whole system, believe me I've seen it.



I actually just bought it because my current 400W supply didn't have the PCI-E plug. Can't return it either because the UPC has been cut out for the rebate. Would I be safe with the regular 9800GT EE edition that doesn't require the extra juice?

Reply to webvigator2k

I still vote for your 1st choice, don't go for 9800GT EE, the 9800GTX+ is a good card...
Start saving your money from now to get a new PSU... It's very important and good investment for u in the future if u want to upgrade u're system.

Reply to wa1

wa1 wrote :

I still vote for your 1st choice, don't go for 9800GT EE, the 9800GTX+ is a good card...
Start saving your money from now to get a new PSU... It's very important and good investment for u in the future if u want to upgrade u're system.




I gotta agree here!

You will want a bigger PSU for certain, especially if you truly plan on unlocking that CPU of yours. AMD's tend to be a bit power hungry, but when running 4 cores you need more power than 2 or 3 cores. I run a 600W with my 9800GTX+ and it runs brilliant. I only run a dual core, but I do OC it to 3.6ghz. I would say anything 550W or higher will suit your needs, TBH.

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Reply to dirtdiver
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