4870 power supply question

[porxao]

will my Chieftec GPS-450AA-101A 450W run Radeon 4870 PowerColor 512MB?
My specs are 1,6 dual core OC to 2,4 ghz, 4 gb ddr 2 ram, Creative x-fi xtreme gamer, galaxy 7900gs and p5b asus mainboard

 

[JonathanDeane]

You might get aways with it, but I would upgrade to something better ASAP...

I think thats cutting it a bit close.

 

[Twoboxer]

An unqualified . . . maybe lol. Here's what I could find:

Your psu's output is 348W on the 12V rails:
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/coolers/display/chieftec-psu-roundup_2.html#sect1

ATI's spec calls for a 500W minimum psu, probably to ensure enough power on the 12V rails:
http://www.amd.com/us/products/desktop/graphics/ati-radeon-hd-4000/hd-4870/Pages/ati-radeon-hd-4870-system-requirements.aspx

Based on those I would have guessed "No", but then I saw this system consuming 317W TOTAL:
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=220140

However, your system is OC'd . . . and I don't know how old/good your psu is. Finally, most of the tough problems we see here are related to a psu not providing the amount of clean, consistent power required.

So, your psu might power it. Or it might not. Personally, I wouldn't install a 4870 unless I had the money for a new psu and was prepared to revert to my old hardware (ie don't sell your old card) while I waited for it to arrive.

Good Luck!

 

[porxao]

thank you very much. I have another question now is it worth to buy some cheap 600 W PSU like Tracer or shall I wait for more money supply and get a decent one for 4870 like OCZ or Tagan? I just don't have enough money to get a good PSU now, I collected money only for graphics card upgrade =p

 

[obsidian86]

always i mean always get a good psu

 

[coozie7]

+1 obsidian86.
Cheap units often do not provide their claimed output and what they do give is poor quality power (in addition to stepping the mains voltage down the PSU also 'cleans' the output to provide a steady DC voltage, cheap units often fail to do this as well).
Also, the heavy OC on the CPU is going to greatly increase its power draw, another reason to get a good PSU first, then upgrade the card.

 

[porxao]

thanks guys I guess I'll buy pro 600 Watt PSU and wait for the graphics change. you been a great help

 

[obsidian86]

a good psu is a foundation to any system but have a look here http://game.amd.com/us-en/crossfirex_components.aspx?p=3

 

[dacca]

amazing value for money here dude http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/reward-psu-Jeantech-1000W-Modular-ATX-PC-Power-supply_W0QQitemZ270445411081QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Computing_PowerSupplies_EH?hash=item3ef7cd7b09&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14 and i know its already been stated! but it cant be said enough how much a good psu is essential!

 

[Twoboxer]

thank you very much. I have another question now is it worth to buy some cheap 600 W PSU like Tracer or shall I wait for more money supply and get a decent one for 4870 like OCZ or Tagan? I just don't have enough money to get a good PSU now, I collected money only for graphics card upgrade =p

There are many decent psu's around. Trouble is, unless you can see a review from a qualified reviewer, they are hard to identify. And if I tell you I had a Tagan 1000W cause random system problems in less than two months . . . or an OCZ that has been pumping power great for 5 years . . . what does that prove?

This is why most often there's a pat answer around here when someone asks about a good-quality psu: Buy an Antec (Earthwatts only), Corsair, PC Power & Cooling, or Seasonic. These *brands* (and the one specific Antec *line*) are known to be of high quality, and represent a safe recommendation.

For models from other brands, google the specific model plus the word "review" and read those that actually publish data from their own (a) examination of construction and (b) testing. Ignore all other "reviews".