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[Solved] GTX 260 and Vantec Ion2 520w

Forum Graphic & Displays : Graphics Cards - [Solved] GTX 260 and Vantec Ion2 520w

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Best answer from pauldh.

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aleatoire   10-04-2009 at 01:53:22 AM

Hey there.

After lots of research (mostly on this forum) I have found that my Vantec Ion2 520w PSU will be able to run the GTX 260 with no problems.
But I have just been down to my local PC shop and the guys there strongly recommended that I should downgrade to the GTS 250 or get a new PSU because I would be taking a huge risk with my current PSU.

So what do you guys think? I have been told that I will be fine with my current PSU by the people here, but down at the PC shop I was told not to get the GTX 260.
Any help would be great. I would prefer to get the GTX 260 but I don't really want to buy a new PSU unless it's absolutely necessary.

System is:

Intel Core 2 Duo E7500 @ 2.93ghz
4GB OCZ Gold Edition 1066mhz
WD 1TB Caviar Greenpower HDD
1 Optical Drive
1 Sound card
Vantec Ion2 520w PSU
No extra cooling or overclocking

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Best answer from pauldh
Looks like 31.8A +12V. A little less than I'd like, but I still think you would be fine. Your system is far from loaded with an E7500, 1HDD, 1 optical, etc.

Look at this SBM machine: http://www.tomshardware.com/review [...] 10-14.html

This would consume more power than yours as it's OC'ed to 3.5GHz with an OC'ed GPU (edit: also a GTX 260). Even tortured through Furmark and prime 95 at once, this system consumed under 300W at the AC source. Factor in 80% efficiency...we went overkill on the PSU needs.
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aleatoire   10-04-2009 at 02:14:51 AM

Anyone???
I really do need some help here...

Reply to aleatoire
FallenSniper   10-04-2009 at 02:43:44 AM

Kind of sounds like the guy at the PC shop wants you to buy a new psu so he gets more money. I'll agree with other people on here and say that it will be fine.

Reply to FallenSniper
aleatoire   10-04-2009 at 02:53:31 AM

Haha. Thats what I was thinking.

I just had to check though. Just in case.

Reply to aleatoire
geofelt   10-04-2009 at 03:03:51 AM

What gpu are you now using?

The GTX260 requires a 500 watt psu with 36amps on the 12v rails and two pci-e 6 pin connectors. Look at your spec label on the psu to see if it has enough. Most likely if it has the two pci-e 6 pin connectors, it will be ok.

Vantec is a brand I am not familiar with, it may not have the quality to meet the specs well.

Unless you know the psu is insufficient, go ahead and get the GTX260 and try it. A small lack of quality power will show up in artifacts, and strange behavior which should cause no permanent damage.

Reply to geofelt
aleatoire   10-04-2009 at 03:11:27 AM

At the moment I have an 8600gt 256mb.

Thanks for the help.

It seems that the PSU has only 32A on the 12v rail...
Will the 4A really make a huge difference?
I would really rather have the GTX 260 over the GTS 250 but I would rather not destroy my PC.


Message edited by aleatoire on 10-04-2009 at 03:18:45 AM
Reply to aleatoire
FallenSniper   10-04-2009 at 03:59:48 AM

Are you sure it has 32A? When I looked it up the one I found had 40A on the 12v. Could be different though.

Maybe you should consider looking at Ati cards as well. I have to mention the 4870, like I always do.

Reply to FallenSniper
aleatoire   10-04-2009 at 05:32:53 AM

Umm, I think it is 32A. It says there are two 12V rails, each are 20A. I think I was told that they were 32A together though. But I could be wrong.

I was looking at the 4870. It's slightly cheaper than the GTX 260. What sort of power requirements does it have?

Reply to aleatoire
pauldh   10-04-2009 at 05:45:35 AM
Best answer

Looks like 31.8A +12V. A little less than I'd like, but I still think you would be fine. Your system is far from loaded with an E7500, 1HDD, 1 optical, etc.

Look at this SBM machine: http://www.tomshardware.com/review [...] 10-14.html

This would consume more power than yours as it's OC'ed to 3.5GHz with an OC'ed GPU (edit: also a GTX 260). Even tortured through Furmark and prime 95 at once, this system consumed under 300W at the AC source. Factor in 80% efficiency...we went overkill on the PSU needs.

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by pauldh on 10-04-2009 at 05:46:50 AM
Reply to pauldh
apache_lives   10-04-2009 at 06:02:52 AM

A GTX260 with a E6550 works 100% on an AcBell 300w, hell even seen a Pentium D with a 7800GTX512 work with an AcBell 300w

------------------------------ Q6600@3510/1560 + TT BigTyphoon+Mod
8gb Kingston 800mhz
Gigabyte EP35-DS3P
XFX 8800GT/512
 Reply to apache_lives
aleatoire   10-04-2009 at 06:03:44 AM

Ok. The GTX 260 it is!

Unless I can find enough money for a new PSU somewhere.

Reply to aleatoire
magicbullet   10-04-2009 at 06:03:47 AM

pauldh wrote :

Looks like 31.8A +12V. A little less than I'd like, but I still think you would be fine. Your system is far from loaded with an E7500, 1HDD, 1 optical, etc.

Look at this SBM machine: http://www.tomshardware.com/review [...] 10-14.html

This would consume more power than yours as it's OC'ed to 3.5GHz with an OC'ed GPU (edit: also a GTX 260). Even tortured through Furmark and prime 95 at once, this system consumed under 300W at the AC source. Factor in 80% efficiency...we went overkill on the PSU needs.


Great answer!

I've been saying this and i'll say it agian.
I used to owned 400watts psu with 33A heavily used for about 3 years before.
It has enough juice to run Q6600 @ 3.0ghz and Gtx275 for 6 months before i found a great deal for case and psu combo.

PS. PSU still run and so as everything else!

Reply to magicbullet
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