Is a 650WATT PSU Enough?

[sygma]

Hello,
I’m upgrading my current computer and basically replacing all of the important guts, I currently am looking at getting:

Corsair CMX4GX3M2A1600C9 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 - $55.00

Asrock P67 Pro3 Motherboard - $146.00

MSI GeForce GTX 470 1280MB - $259.00

Intel Core i5 2500k 3.3GHz - $299.00
Or
Intel Core i5 2500 3.3GHz - $229.00

Would you say that my current PSU being a 650WATT PSU would be able to properly power all of these components? It’s more of whether 650WATTS would be enough and also what would be the bare minimum PSU, I also have a ATI 4780 1GB and don't want it to go to waste, is there anything i could do with that videocard? This upgrade is purely for gaming and I’m to get the most out of my budget. This upgrade is around $700 AUD.

 

[iceclock]

id be useful to know what kind of ps u have, and from then we can tell u if its reliable to power ur current system,

 

[sygma]

Sorry guys, once i get home ill post the specific brand and model. I dont really have access to my computer at the moment :S

 

[sygma]

Seeing I'm getting the non 'K'version so will most likey never overclock but turn on the turbo boost. Would you say I was alright with just useing the stock cooler?

 

[mosox]

The HD 6950 is better and should be at the same price or even cheaper.
http://www.hwcompare.com/8626/geforce-gtx-470-vs-radeon-hd-6950/

 

[geofelt]

A quality 650w psu will run any single graphics card made today. A poor one may not.

The 2500K without overclocking will drive any single graphics card well. Too bad there is such a premium for the K version where you live.
Without overclocking, the stock cooler will do the job. An aftermarket cooler will be quieter under load, though.

For gaming, spend your budget on the best graphics card you feel comfortable paying for. That is where the performance is.

The 4780 is still a nice card. Sell it on e-bay for what it will bring, and use the funds for a great single video card.

 

[sygma]

Ohk, so ive decided to get rid of the 470 for a 6950, better but $50AUD more expencive. But was thinking. Would I be good just using a microATX? On a really tight budget.

 

[geofelt]

Ohk, so ive decided to get rid of the 470 for a 6950, better but $50AUD more expencive. But was thinking. Would I be good just using a microATX? On a really tight budget.

The GTX470, GTX560Ti, and the 6950 are all comparable cards. Do not anguish over the choice, the differences are minimal, depending on the game.

I like the micro-ATX motherboards. I am using a Asus P8P67-M PRO and a 2600K.
If you plan on a K cpu, you will need a P67 motherboard, H67 will not OC. As far as I know, Asus makes the only two P67 based micro-ATX motherboards, mine and the P8P67-M which is a bit cheaper without sli capability.

If you will not be overclocking, then a H67 motherboard will be OK.
That opens up the option to use a mini-ITX H67 motherboard which is even cheaper and can fit into some nice small lanparty cases.

 

[sygma]

So I'm now looking at a m-ATX motherboard that has only got 2 DDR3. So I'm now looking at memory, is it worth having dual channel of 2x2GB or instead have one block of 4GBs. I'm looking at this motherboard - Gigabyte GA-H67MA-D2H-B3 Motherboard - $130 or ASUS P8H67-M-LE Motherboard B3 - $135. Also which of those two motherboards would you reccomend (I won't be useing SLI/Crossfire)

 

[geofelt]

The GA-H67MA-D2H-B3 is a mini-TX motherboard which is smaller than the ASUS P8H67-M-LE which is a micro-ATX size
With one good graphics card, either should do, depending on which size you want and the case you will use it in.
Because you can't OC with a H67 chipset, do not get the K versions of cpu. The 2500 or 2400 should be good, even the 2300.
Read this tom's article:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-gaming-cpu-core-i3-2100-phenom-ii-x6-1075t,2859.html

Each have two slots for ram. Understandable for the smaller ITX, but a reason for the cheapness of the M-ATX board.

I would populate the two slots of either with a 8gb kit of 2 x 4gb of ram.
More ram is more effective than fast ram. No need for fancy heat spreaders either, just get basic 1.5v ram.

 

[sygma]

Ohk, so I've got two choices for my motherboard.

ASUS P8H67-M-LE Motherboard B3

or

MSI H67MA-E45 Motherboard B3

They both cost $135AUD so its up to these two choices.

 

[iceclock]

the msi is a great buy, and gets good reviews,