PSU and GTX 260 Maxcore 55

[slopland]

Can my current PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817148027

run this card (i know its older but got a great deal on it)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143197

Im not sure how to calculate the amps. Some say 500w/12v=42Amps. Card requires 38A combined on 12V rail I believe, this PSU has two rails with 16 and 18A =34A I suppose. Just not sure if it would be ok with this PSU given I dont have a large cpu, etc.

Thanks in advance.

Windows 7 64 bit
AMD X2 6000
4GB (4x1) Corsair PC6400
Asus MSN E SLI Mobo

 

[slopland]

I read the thread here about how to calculate. But, am a little confused. The specs for this card says 38A minimum on the 12V rail but after calculating per the thread I read.

Max Watt of Gtx260=184W
184/12= 15.3 which is amount card requires on 12v rail (say 16 to be safe)
16 + 15 for rest of PC= 31

My PSU says it has a total of 34amp combined (16 rail 1, 18 rail 2) so I have a 3amp buffer.
Although the other calculation I have seen say I can calculate total PSU amps like this: 500w/12=42 amps.

So which one do I go by? One seems that I am ok, other seems maybe not.

Do I go by card minimum on rail? By one of the online calculators (which said I need a 484Watt PSU at max load).

 

[Ubrales]

It is close enough to be worth a try.

 

[lilotimz]

Dont listen to ubrales.

It is a god damn apevia for christ sake with a voltage switch!

That means it inefficient, low quality, and an outdated power supply.
I would expect nothing less than sparks and dead PC components if you even tried.

Quality is what matters, not how many watts or voltage it says it can deliver. For all we know, it can be the maximum output at 10 degrees celcius!

A GTX 260 under full load takes around 170-180watts. A quality 430w + unit from corsair/antec/ seasonic / xfx with at least 32 amps on the 12v rail will power any medium and some high end cards.

Don't do it OP... don't do it.

P.S. It doesn't even have 2x 6 pin PCI-e connectors ...

 

[slopland]

I must be mistaken then. I thought it was the Watts and Amps on the 12v rail? I've had the apevia for 3 years, running my 9600GT with a max of around 115watts under full load.

Sparks? Would it not simply not power up or when booting just power down?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139026 Here is a corsair 430W. It only produces 28V on 12v single rail.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371045 an antec 450 W with dual rails 18 amps each, which still puts me under the recommended 38amps.

I know quality is important as far as durability and reliability, etc but isn't electricity, electricity? 12Amps =12Amps and 500W =500W no matter what brand its produced by?

I have an adapter for the additional PCI-e needed.

 

[slopland]

I do appreciate your reply, dont wanna sound like I dont. Can you address those questions though.

 

[Ubrales]

He likes to spread fear by using words like "sparks" without any clear understanding. It's like fire without light!

The only drawback of your existing PSU is that it has just one 6-pins power cord for the Graphics card which really needs two. From that standpoint, you may want to look into a "Modular" Corsair PSU. Modular is great for good cable management leading to a neater appearance withing the case and better air flow (cooler temps).

Corsair 650 Watts modular: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139012

I have the HX-850 in use for 2 years; works perfectly.

 

[slopland]

He likes to spread fear by using words like "sparks" without any clear understanding. It's like fire without light!

The only drawback of your existing PSU is that it has just one 6-pins power cord for the Graphics card which really needs two. From that standpoint, you may want to look into a "Modular" Corsair PSU. Modular is great for good cable management leading to a neater appearance withing the case and better air flow (cooler temps).

Corsair 650 Watts modular: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139012

I have the HX-850 in use for 2 years; works perfectly.

Do you think my current one will work? I have an adapter to go from 2 6pins to another PCI E. Wont this work?

I also found a HEC (i know its off brand) kick butt PSU for $50 off, it s 800W with like 50Amps on 12v, etc. WOrth a try?

 

[delluser1]

Can my current PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817148027

run this card (i know its older but got a great deal on it)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143197

Im not sure how to calculate the amps. Some say 500w/12v=42Amps. Card requires 38A combined on 12V rail I believe, this PSU has two rails with 16 and 18A =34A I suppose. Just not sure if it would be ok with this PSU given I dont have a large cpu, etc.

Thanks in advance.

Windows 7 64 bit
AMD X2 6000
4GB (4x1) Corsair PC6400
Asus MSN E SLI Mobo

Usually best to read the label
Here's another, fancier variant of your pos
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2007/05/23/450w500w_psu_battle_royal/2

 

[Ubrales]

Do you think my current one will work? I have an adapter to go from 2 6pins to another PCI E. Wont this work?

I also found a HEC (i know its off brand) kick butt PSU for $50 off, it s 800W with like 50Amps on 12v, etc. WOrth a try?

Physically yes it will work, but from an electrical standpoint you are dividing the amps and then feeding the divided amps to the Graphics card. You are not doubling the amps.

You will save a lot of headaches by going to the Corsair HX-650 (or HX-750 if you choose to).

 

[slopland]

Well, you guys talked me into it. I was not gonna upgrade PSU but I figured oh well, I can get a PSU and GTX260 for the same price as a single GTX460. Might as well for future upgrades and I suppose a generic PSU would be like putting regular fuel in a corvette.

I ordered this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139020
Whatcha think?
Thanks for all the replies.

 

[slopland]

Best answer selected by slopland.

 

[Ubrales]

Well, you guys talked me into it. I was not gonna upgrade PSU but I figured oh well, I can get a PSU and GTX260 for the same price as a single GTX460. Might as well for future upgrades and I suppose a generic PSU would be like putting regular fuel in a corvette.

I ordered this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139020
Whatcha think?
Thanks for all the replies.

It's the latest V2 version - fine!