Can I squeak by with 500 watts

[Thar]

I built a new system not too long ago and I stuck a year old graphics card in it. Now I want to buy the new Nvidia GeForce GTX 470 and stick it in.

I'm hoping to get away with my 500 watt power supply.

Here is what I have,
Antec Sonata III 500 Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBRM54356601 x's 2 for 8GB total.

Western Digital Caviar Black WD7501AALS 750GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive -Bare Drive

ASUS P7P55D Deluxe LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard

Intel I7 860 @ 2.8 GHz

Intel SSD M080 ; 80 Gig SSD hard drive

basic cd/dvd drive.

and an existing graphics card I wish to replace so it does not matter. I'm thinking the current 500 watt Power Supply should suffice. Any one able to tell me for sure?

 

[Thar]

http://www.antec.outervision.com/PSUEngine

I just used this handy dandy calculator and it reported 448 as my peak need. So I guess if antec's 500 watt power supply delivers 500 watts I'm in the clear...

Still would like some thoughts on this from those in the know.

 

[delluser1]

Should be fine, manufacturers power reccomendation are generally a bit overblown.
I'd be concerned about temps with the Sonata3, it's not exactly known for it's airflow.

 

[Henry Chinaski]

The ANTEC EarthWatts (EA-500-EC) is a great PSU. The old model (EA-500) was made by Seasonic and the new one has been made by Delta electronics (EA-500D). I have the model from Seasonic and I can confirm you that it works extremely well.
Anyway, I think that a Geforce GTX470 is too much for it. nVidia is asking 550W at least. This unit can deliver even 570W, but this kind of stress is not good. Therefore, in my opinion, a quality 500w PSU, as the ANTEC EarthWatts 500W, is not enough to handle a system with a GTX470.
Anyway, I recommend you to go for a ATI 5850. This graphic card performs better than the GTX470 and needs much less power. Your PSU is able to run a 5850 without any problem.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Antec builds PSU's for every market niche from the most demanding upper eschelon enthusiast (SG series) to the budget mass market builder (Basiq). If it's an Antec "Basiq" series, I'd be concerned.

I'd add the optional 120mm case fan to the Illusion.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835209011

BTW, it does present a tougher job for your case / psu but the 470 substantially outperforms the 5850.

http://www.softsailor.com/news/22371-nvidia-geforce-gtx-480470-benchmarks-review-roundup.html
http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/hardware-canucks-reviews/30321-nvidia-geforce-gtx-470-review-32.html

 

[delluser1]

^+1 on the HD5850, great power usage for the performance.

The GTX470 can take over 200W on load, which would definitely stress a 500W, no matter how good it is. Also, with a 500W dont even THINK about OCing.

Here's some good reading about the EA500
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/252190-28-antec-review

What makes you think you couldn't overclock on it ?

Before you answer, I've run and benchmarked an overclocked I7-980x ( 4.0 HT enabled ) and pair of overclocked GTX 260's on a 550 watt psu.

 

[Henry Chinaski]

As you can see in this video, the people from Antec got to run an OverClocked GTX480 / Core I7 980X setup using an Antec TruePower New 550W (delivering more than 610W). That is impresive and show the high quality of the PSU. But I wouldn't do that for everyday use. Anyway I'm sure that it could handle a GTX470 without any problem.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sMxTvK8PoQ

If the EarthWatts 500 can power an GTS260SLI, then it also can handle a GTX470, but, If I were him, I wouldn't do that. I mean, It's no necessary stressing so much the psu if you have the option of buying an ATI 5850, which is more appropriate for the EA-500 and performs even better.
I wouldn't run a GTX470 with an EA500. Anyway, this is just my opinion.

 

[delluser1]

Stable enough on the long term for everyday use?
Besides, which 550W did you use?
Better safe than sorry, so you wont be sad when it fails and blows out an mobo and a graphics card.

Yes
Gigabyte GT550
Very doubtful
http://i41.tinypic.com/rbfvdf.png

 

[Thar]

Interesting posts. I believe I have my answer. I should be able to stick the 470 in my system and have it run. But it will be a close thing and get more iffie as time goes by and the psu gets older.

So sounds like the thing to do is get a new 650+ power supply and stick my current 500 watt in my older comp.

With that in mind I am taking recommondations for new QUIET power supplys.

 

[Avro Arrow]

I wouldn't look at those calculators too closely because you generally want your PSU to run as close to 50% load as possible to guarantee longevity, efficiency and reduced heat. Of course, 1000W PSU's are expensive as hell so most people don't do that. Don't EVER try to squeak by with "just enough" especially with an expensive vidcard. You'd be better off getting an HD 5850 since the performance difference isn't that big because it can run just fine with under 500W along with producing less heat. With a fermi card, yeah, you're looking at a 650W 80-plus or better certified PSU which can add a couple hundred more dollars if you get a good one. Don't ever scrimp on the PSU when you're installing an expensive vidcard because it will end up costing you a LOT more when it fails and possibly takes your system with it. Keep in mind, I'm not being a hypocrite, I only have a Radeon HD 4870 but I still use a 1000W 80-plus gold-certified PSU.

 

[delluser1]

Interesting posts. I believe I have my answer. I should be able to stick the 470 in my system and have it run. But it will be a close thing and get more iffie as time goes by and the psu gets older.

So sounds like the thing to do is get a new 650+ power supply and stick my current 500 watt in my older comp.

With that in mind I am taking recommondations for new QUIET power supplys.

A better idea.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371021

 

[Thar]

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4434988&Sku=C283-1201

what do you think of this one??

 

[obsidian86]

coolermaster is a questionable power supply company I'd stick to antec,seasonic,corsair,enermax range

 

[Henry Chinaski]

The COOLER MASTER Silent Pro M 700W (RS-700-AMBA-D3) is a good PSU which has been made by Enhanced Electronics. However, there is some better choices:

ANTEC TRUEPOWER NEW 650W (by Seasonic) (modular)
CORSAIR HX650 (by Seasonic) (modular)
CORSAIR TX750 (by CWT)
ENERMAX Liberty Eco II 620W (modular)
ENERMAX Pro82+ II 625W
THERMALTAKE Toughpower XT 675W (by CWT) (modular)
IKONIK Vulcan 650W (by CWT) (modular)
SAPPHIRE FirePSU 625W (by Enermax) (modular)