Advice on a power supply in a specific config

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tinpanalley

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Hi all,

First post, here...

I need to get this card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130550&cm_re=geforce_gtx_470-_-14-130-550-_-Product

To run in this machine: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883114065&cm_re=et1161-03-_-83-114-065-_-Product

What's the best way to figure out what power supply I should use?
My only other hardware I need connections for inside are an EIDE DVD-DL drive and 2 SATA HDDs. And obviously that new video card.

Where do I start? I've never done this kind of upgrade before.
Thank you!!
 
Solution
davcon

All the units i've mentioned the NEO and TP New are Seasonics anyways.
The NEO 520 i mentioned earlier is built on the exact same platform as the Seasonic SII2 Dadiggle linked.
It's a much improved unit over the NEO which is a stripped down budget version oem'd by Seasonic for Antec.
I have no idea about the exact fit of a psu for your application.
But tools can be handy if it's a matter of a couple of metal tabs and .5".
As for the gpu wattage reference it's a guideline only and covers the manufacturers ass.
Some people have their cpu oc'd to the max...
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saaiello

saaiello

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First off don't get the GTX 470 go with the GTX 560 TI.

http://www.hwcompare.com/8868/geforce-gtx-470-vs-geforce-gtx-560-ti/

As for power supply a 550 watt unit from a good company like Antec, Corsair Seasonic will do just fine.

What is your budget for power supply?

 
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tinpanalley

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Wow, thanks so much for the replies so fast. :)

I need to get the GTX 470 because it's a card that supports the type of GPU acceleration specifically mentioned by Adobe Premiere. http://www.adobe.com/products/premiere/systemreqs

I'd rather stick with something they recommend. Also, it's a budget thing, it's the one I can afford.



I'd like to keep it under 75 bucks.
 
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davcon

davcon

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550w requirement for card is exagerrated btw.
It's a general guideline.
It pulls about 215w average on load while gaming.
Max 350W from the wall.
The power supply i recommended might not be the absolute best but it's cheap has a 40A 12v rail and it's a Seasonic oem.
It also can deliver over 600W.
The power cord i was referring to is the psu power cord.
There's plenty of good psu's out there.
This is probably the most rock-solid unit.
CORSAIR Enthusiast Series CMPSU-650TX 650W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005
 
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tinpanalley

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Wow ok, I had no idea. That's why I'm here, I guess, to learn. :)
Alright, well I can't imagine why evga mentions that much power. Weird.
 
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davcon

davcon

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That psu is crappy the Antec i linked is way better and also much cheaper.
I already told you the Neo delivers over 600W and is built by Seasonic with high quality components.
I wouldn't run my system with that junk it's not even 80% efficient and doesn't even deliver 550W.
It's a 500W unit.
Personally i'd return it.
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Cooler-Master-eXtreme-Power-Plus-550-W-Power-Supply-Review/969/1
Conclusions
Although some can see Cooler Master eXtreme Power Plus 550 W as an option if you are not going to pull 550 W from it, we can't recommend this unit, as it burns if you try to pull its rated wattage. Its main technical problem is efficiency, between 73.2% and 77.5%, which would prevent us from recommending this unit even if it could deliver its labeled power.

But there is another problem: pricing. Costing USD 65 it is simply too expensive for what it is. For the same price you can buy an OCZ StealthXStream 500 W, which provides higher efficiency.

You see, this unit is a renamed Seventeam ST-500BAZ, a 500 W power supply that has already been discontinued by the manufacturer - no wonder it couldn't deliver its labeled power.
 
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tinpanalley

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Hey Davcon,
I'm not trying to ignore your advice but when I did my research it looked like any CoolerMaster psu was fine. Clearly, I happened to find one that isn't.

Another factor is that I'd like to be able to get it on Amazon as I have Prime which gets me the items quickly and free. Also, I measured and a psu for my tower has to be 5.5 x 6 x 3.5.

Sorry I was so naive but I'm trying to absorb all this for the first time and most people wouldn't just buy the first thing recommended to them, would they? No offense, it's just that I have to think about it and make my decision. You were right, though. Shouldn't have gotten that one. :)

Now, can you recommend me some others so I can check the dimensions and whether they're on Amazon?

Thank you! I appreciate it.
 
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JackNaylorPE

JackNaylorPE

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This will tell you the size

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

Choose by vendor line rather than by vendor only. For example, look at these reviews on the Antec EA line of PSU's:

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story4&reid=110
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story4&reid=35

and we see that these get 9.0 and 9.5 performance ratings....others in the EA line are comparably rated where as the SG and CP lines get 10.0 ratings. The Neo line OTOH gets only a 6.5

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story4&reid=117

If you look at the prices on "decent" PSU's below 650 watts you'll see that you really don't save any significant amount of money buying < 650 watts. When you consider that PSU's hit peak efficiency at 50% laod, there's little incentive therefore in buying anything smaller. The ebst 650 watt buy at this point is the XFX 650, Corsair's TX-650, Antec's EA and TP 650 would be other good choices.


 
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davcon

davcon

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No problem!
Hard to go wrong with an Antec.
http://www.amazon.com/Antec-Truepower-TP-650-650-Watt-Certified/dp/B001RTPMLK/ref=sr_1_2?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1298512077&sr=1-2
Just make sure it's a True Power New like this.Don't pay that much for the old True Power.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371021
New is the operative word in the model description.
 
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tinpanalley

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I hate to be a pain, but can someone explain something to me? The video card I purchased is telling me I need a "minimum 550W" to run the card. However, there seems to be a differing opinion from you guys (who know way more than I) that 520 is sufficient. I'm good with computers and tech so I don't need a 2 year old's explanation. But I just want to understand why you'd say that evga is exaggerating with their requirements.

Thanks!
 
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davcon

davcon

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All the units i've mentioned the NEO and TP New are Seasonics anyways.
The NEO 520 i mentioned earlier is built on the exact same platform as the Seasonic SII2 Dadiggle linked.
It's a much improved unit over the NEO which is a stripped down budget version oem'd by Seasonic for Antec.
I have no idea about the exact fit of a psu for your application.
But tools can be handy if it's a matter of a couple of metal tabs and .5".
As for the gpu wattage reference it's a guideline only and covers the manufacturers ass.
Some people have their cpu oc'd to the max and 550W recommendation is used based on that type of scenario.
Here's a chart from this website demonstrating the wattage used by your card in a fairly powerful system.
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/power-consumption-graphics-cards,review-32118-6.html
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/power-consumption-graphics-cards,review-32118-8.html
It uses less then 450W total system power.
So i hope this helps you have a better understanding why quality 500-550W units are being recommended.
 
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tinpanalley

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Tell me did you already buy the cpu and the gpu?
Click to expand...

Oh, no, not at all. This was more a question for the future. I just figure it makes more sense to decide for yourself what goes in your computer and to make it yourself. I just wanna start prepping for that now so I know what I'm doing when the time comes. Although, I guess technically that I'm on my way to setting up a new one already with this card and power supply. I already have my other peripherals.

But anyway, these things are just going in the computer I already own.
 
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tinpanalley

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Hey again, guys

Ok, quick question... graphics card plugged in, power supply all hooked up inside as well.

(Forgive the butchered terminology if there is any)

The PSU has its main connectors among which there are 2 PCI-E connectors which are exactly what I need for my card. Then there is an additional cable that comes with the PSU that has 2 6-pin PCI-E connectors that can be plugged into their own plug on the PSU. Make sense?

Should I use the PCI-E connectors that come from the main cabling of the PSU or should I plug the card in using that separate cable and use that separate plug on the PSU? Is that what you meant by 'plugging the card into its own "rail"?

Thanks guys. System is open, waiting for some guidance and expertise. :)
 
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