Best GPU for 400W PSU

[crazy1291]

Hey everyone,

I have a SilverStone SST-ST400.I was wondering what the best GPU was for this PSU. Budget does not matter, but I would like to not have to put this PSU on the shelf.

I looked at the tech sheet from SilverStone, and it said that the SST-ST400 can power a single 4850. or a single 9600GT from Nvidia.

I think the 5000 series are more power efficient than the 4000 right?

Also I would like it to be Linux compatible, but I can do that research myself.

Thanks for reading.

**Current System Specs information**
CPU: AMD Athlon II x4 620
RAM: 2GB DDR3-1333 (2*1 GB) <---WANT TO UPGRADE TO 6GB
HDD: 3 SATA drives <--------WILL THIS BE A PROBLEM?
Mobo: Gigabyte MA785GMT-UD2H
video: Nvidia 7500 LE


(SIDENOTE)
If I upgrade to 6 GB, (add 2*2), do I have to match the current frequency of the RAM that is already in?
For example, will I have problems if I put in DDR3-1600. OR will be speed of the 1600 just be reduced to 1333??

 

[cmcghee358]

6 GB on an AMD platform is mostly a waste. 1 of the sticks will be working in single channel and at this time you dont need more than 4 GB for a gaming rig.

If I were you I'd get a 5770. Has a TDP of 108 watts. On a 2nd tier PSU brand like Silverstone I wouldn't try to touch "max" wattage.

 

[cmcghee358]

Unless you were planning on doing 2x2GB 1600 and then 2x1GB 1333. In which case, I can't say. But I'm can guarantee it won't go smoothly, and is likely to be a performance hit compared to simply just 2x2GB @ 1600.

 

[Niklas_13]

You can run 1600 ram at 1333 that wont be a problem, you just dont want to run 1333 at 1600

You really should match your GPU with your monitor and make sure your PSU can handle the GPU.

A HD 5670 can run on a 400W PSU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161319

Min for a 4850 is 450W http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150351

What do you do on the PC ?

 

[Niklas_13]

Also that PSU only has 18A on the 12v rail

If your looking for a GPU to game with, I would look into ( depending on your monitors rez a

HD 5770 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102864

PSU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005 ( This is a grate price for a 650W PSU )

and you wont have no problems running your system with any single GPU on it

 

[crazy1291]

I use it for school, and the most graphically demanding application is Solid Edge v20. (Modelling)

I also want to use it for gaming.
Currently I use my laptop which has a 8600m GT,

and play games such as
Left 4 Dead (1 and 2)
Bad Company 2
BioShock (1 and 2)

Is this site reliable?
http://extreme.outervision.com/PSUEngine
-------------------------------

Edit (Additional Info):
For the guy that said I should match my monitor to my GPU.....

Monitor Max Resolution = 1600 * 900
Monitor Input: DVI and VGA

(I think I should be fine, All GPUs have DVI, and still have VGA outputs)

 

[megamanx00]

I say a Radeon 5750 would be the way to go, though you could go with a 5770 and probably be o.k. As for outervision, yeah it's PSU calculator is pretty good.

 

[Niklas_13]

Not sure about that site first time i seen it.

The Corsair 650W is more then enough ( but at the price its worth it ) you could get a 550W PSU and be fine but the price is the same ATM is the 550W.

The HD 5770 will be a grate GPU at a rez of 1680x1050 you can do 1920x1080 with it but will have to lower settings to get better FPS.

 

[crazy1291]

Best answer selected by crazy1291.

 

[crazy1291]

Thanks everyone.
5750 it is. (without PSU upgrade)
and if I find out the PSU cannot handle it, i'll upgrade that also.