Q6600+GTX460 PSU question

[Lunarii]

Hello everyone,
Stranger from distant lands have just registred on forums


My system is:

Amacrox Warrior AX450PNF
Abit IP35-E
Core2Quad Q6600 running 3200Mhz@1.385
GF 8600GT
2x2GB Corsair 1066Mhz
runing 2x sata drives (1ssd)

I would like to upgrade my computer with GTX 460 756Mb. My question is can my PSU with 348W on 12V line run my setup with GTX 460 no problem? or more importand: is there a chance of damaging anything else then PSU itself by runing to heavy energy damanding components, like those stated above?

Sorry for bad english, im from eastern europe and we dont use it often here You know

 

[Mousemonkey]

The card will use about 160w and you CPU is probably using around 100w or more with that OC so while it may seem that you are under the limit of your PSU I wouldn't do it, a good quality 400 - 450w PSU like a Corsair unit would be a safer option IMHO.

 

[Lunarii]

Ok... If im gonna replace PSU ill go for something like OCZ 600W or Bequiet 530. Amacrox is really good quality i doubt there is much of a difference to Corsair 400W.
Do i risk damaging of computer or only PSU?

 

[Mousemonkey]

Ok... If im gonna replace PSU ill go for something like OCZ 600W or Bequiet 530. Amacrox is really good quality i doubt there is much of a difference to Corsair 400W.
Do i risk damaging of computer or only PSU?

What's with the different CPU's by the way?

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?p=30497670

 

[Lunarii]

The difference is old processor got replaced by Q6600 Yesterday. I find it huge upgrade since they both run 3200 Mhz but quad is extra 2 x core and 8x more memory. I wanted to buy only new gpu but then i foundout that e2140 wont be best choice for gtx 460. Now when i have better cpu im limited by psu... Maybe i shall consider ati 5770 but 1gb version is at price of gtx 756 on my market and I really want best I can get for the money.

PS. Don't be so suspicious

 

[Mousemonkey]

The difference is old processor got replaced by Q6600 Yesterday. I find it huge upgrade since they both run 3200 Mhz but quad is extra 2 x core and 8x more memory. I wanted to buy only new gpu but then i foundout that e2140 wont be best choice for gtx 460. Now when i have better cpu im limited by psu... Maybe i shall consider ati 5770 but 1gb version is at price of gtx 756 on my market and I really want best I can get for the money.

PS. Don't be so suspicious

But am I correct? Is that you on the other forum?

 

[cinnaman]

i would for sure upgrade, if you have the money give it a chance to see if it can run it but my thoughts are it won't and if it does dont overclock your CPU.

 

[Lunarii]

Yes, lately i registered on other computer forums. Im upgrading my box and i wanted to throw some questions to people who can provide correct answers. I hope this is not a crime, and I i didint step in to some tomshardware vs anandtech war.

 

[Mousemonkey]

Yes, lately i registered on other computer forums. Im upgrading my box and i wanted to throw some questions to people who can provide correct answers. I hope this is not a crime, and I i didint step in to some tomshardware vs anandtech war.

No it's not a crime, I was just looking for some info on your PSU and saw that post and thought it looked familiar that's all.

 

[jsc]

If your PSU will, in truth, produce its rated power (many do not), you will be OK.

 

[ssshjp]

If you are sure your psu has 348w on 12v output, that is OK. The whole power combining +5v, +3.3v, +12v1, +12v2 would be better than a certain xxxx-400 psu.

BTW, insufficient 12v current will not damage your processor, mainboard or video card. It is the high voltage does harm to electronics. But your hard drive can have problem with insufficient current. One could feel this kind of problem in using computer before it is broken.

 

[Lunarii]

If it is absolutely neccesery i will replace my PSU with stronger one. The one i have is so far quiet, stable and never let me down. I would like to give it a try but not by taking any risks of burning processor or ssd drive... My knowlage is very limited with this subject.

 

[ssshjp]

Take it easy. From the spec you provide, it is absolutely no problem.

 

[Lunarii]

@ssshjp on the PSU it's written 348W for 12V. Amacrox Warrior AX450-PNF is 400W supply but it's critical power is 450W. If you guys can confirm that im not risking damaging my components I'm going to give it a try. This can safe quite some money, (it's like you multiple it few times when it comes to eastern europe)...

 

[Lunarii]

_SAVE_ some money.

Weird, a couple minutes ago I was able to edit my posts which im not allowed to anymore.

 

[christiangordon]

When you are dealing with possible power surges then it could damage other components. I would not risk it without being prepared.

 

[Lunarii]

christian, this sounds logical. I'm not from Volcan but that's enough for me. Im going to change my plans and go with 45nm HD5770 or get stronger PSU and run it with GTX.

 

[Lunarii]

Do you know by chance what's power consumption for ssd and hdd sata drive? Should I add to devices using 12V line anything else then cpu, gpu and sata drives? Anything else like RAM, PCI-E soundcard etc? I found some energy ussage calculators that say maximal energy consmption on 100% load of Q6600@3200mhz is 150W and for GTX 460 stock it's 166W. Thats a total of 316W at max (which probably wont hit ever), leaving 32W for other devices.

 

[Mousemonkey]

Do you know by chance what's power consumption for ssd and hdd sata drive? Should I add to devices using 12V line anything else then cpu, gpu and sata drives? Anything else like RAM, PCI-E soundcard etc? I found some energy ussage calculators that say maximal energy consmption on 100% load of Q6600@3200mhz is 150W and for GTX 460 stock it's 166W. Thats a total of 316W at max (which probably wont hit ever), leaving 32W for other devices.

That's also assuming 100% efficiency from the PSU which will never happen and even if it did 32w is just not enough leeway IMHO. That and your PSU is only rated at 70% efficiency.

 

[liquidsnake718]

get at least a 550w psu, th coolmster realpower SLI is cheap and around $60-70 only. If u want, just get a 5770 so you can have the same budget as you did before without having the need to get the gtx460. I used to have the 8600gt, for my spare PC, it was a decent gaming card 2 years ago, but not for high q gaming, im talking abot medim gaming and more for photoshop, videos, ect.....


The 5770 will be at least 3 times more powerful