Is my PSU good enough?

[bryanb58]

Hello there,

I currently have:

AMD Phenom II x6 1055t @ 3.8 Ghz W/ Coolermaster V6 cooler.
Gigabyte GA-890GPA-UD3H mobo
Gigabyte HD 6850 Vid card
12 Gb Corsair Vengeance RAM @ 1420 Mhz
Coolermaster eXtreme power plus 700W PSU
2 Sata II HD's
5x 120mm Case fans

I am looking at purchasing the 6950 (500W PSU recommended) or even possibly the 6970 (550W PSU recommeneded as per AMD website) and I am wondering if my PSU will be ok to handle it.

I know that this isnt the greatest PSU and unfortunately it is not listed on AMD's certified PSU list. It has the 2 Pci-e 6+2 pins needed. I would hope that the 6950 would be ok for sure, but I would really love to invest in the 6970. If anyone could give any input I would greatly appreciate it as to whether my PSU can handle it.

Thanks!

 

[Helltech]

According to this review of the 600w I can't in good faith say if that PSU will be good enough.

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Cooler-Master-eXtreme-Power-Plus-600-W-Power-Supply-Review/1034/9

However even if it is even a 600w PSU it would be enough for a 6970 single card.

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/HIS/Radeon_HD_6970/27.html

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-6970-radeon-hd-6950-cayman,2818-21.html

I would get a 6950, save some money and unlock the shaders + overclock to a 6970.

I would upgrade in the near future however to a better PSU.

 

[bryanb58]

thanks for the reply. I ordered a corsair hx850 psu and a 6950.
Cant wait!!!

 

[shrkbay]

yeah, these cards don't need over 600W PSU and you could unlock shaders on 6950, so it would be the same as 6970 for a lot less.

 

[shrkbay]

Btw, if i'm looking at the right PSU, your one has 52A on 12V means you are be able to run them fine.

 

[bryanb58]

right on thanks shrkbay

 

[Helltech]

Just because it has 52a on the 12v doesn't mean the PSU is going to give you clean power without ripple and noise. Case in point, my friends Thermaltake TR2 that had way more amps than needed, and 850w blew a capacitor on his GTX 570 because it was a low quality PSU and wasn't given good power to the card.

 

[bryanb58]

I was aware from the get go that this PSU that I currently possess is not great, I think the Corsair HX850 will be a much better go from what the reviews I read are saying.