Will old PSU will be enough for new build.

[BowserMode]

Hey I just bought a bunch of parts for a new build(first time noob) and was wanting to know if my old vx550w would be enough to power it.

Case: HAF 932 ADV

MB: ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3

CPU: i5 2500k(want to OC to 4.0)

Heat sink: CoolerMaster V6gt

HD: 2 old 400 GB WD's from my old computer not sure the model

Ram: CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) low profile

CD/DVD: ASUS Black SATA Model DRW-24B3LT/BLK/G/AS

GPU: Have not bought waiting for kepler, thinking I will go 7870/7850 or 660/660ti/670.


Would the vx550w be enough to power each of those GPU's? Or am I going to have to fork out the money for a better PSU.

Also this is my first time, so if any of those parts really look like a dumb choice go ahead let me know before I build it haha.

 

[terryd75]

I'm pretty sure you will have to get another psu. I believe those gpu's will need about 200 watts each, if you go with sli. Go to a web site (i think asus has one) and you can use their calculator to see how manuch osu u need. u can google it too. Just goodle how much psu do i need and you'll get several choices.

 

[BowserMode]

I will try to find a calculator, but im not going to CF/SLI, I will just have a single card. You think with just a single I would still need more power?

 

[billj214]

Read your power supply rated amperage on the 12v rail which supplies power to the GPU, it must have the recommended amperage or you will have to get another one. If you attempt to run the PC with less than rated amperage you will potentially kill your GPU. Also if your power supply does not have enough PCIe power connections for the GPU then you will also have to buy another power supply.

Good Luck.

 

[WR2]

You should be good with any single graphics card of the bunch you listed.

 

[ko888]

For a system using a single Radeon HD 7870 graphics card AMD specifies a minimum of a 500 Watt or greater power supply. The power supply should also have a combined +12 Volt continuous current rating of 27 Amps or greater and have at least one 6-pin PCI Express supplementary power connector.

Total Power Supply Wattage is NOT the crucial factor in power supply selection!!! Total Continuous Amperage Available on the +12V Rail(s) is the most important factor.

The Corsair Enthusiast Series VX550W (CMPSU-550VX), with its combined +12 Volt continuous current rating of 41 Amps and with one 6-pin and one (6+2)-pin PCI Express supplementary power connectors, is sufficient to power your system configuration with a single Radeon HD 7870.

There is no power consumption data for any Kepler series cards so it's just a guessing game at this point in time.

 

[davcon]

^+1 yep i agree the HX/VX550 are excellent units .
Just re-built an i7 920(oc'd) for a friend with GTX 560 and HX550 = plenty of power.

 

[billj214]

For a system using a single Radeon HD 7870 graphics card AMD specifies a minimum of a 500 Watt or greater power supply. The power supply should also have a combined +12 Volt continuous current rating of 27 Amps or greater and have at least one 6-pin PCI Express supplementary power connector.

Total Power Supply Wattage is NOT the crucial factor in power supply selection!!! Total Continuous Amperage Available on the +12V Rail(s) is the most important factor.

The Corsair Enthusiast Series VX550W (CMPSU-550VX), with its combined +12 Volt continuous current rating of 41 Amps and with one 6-pin and one (6+2)-pin PCI Express supplementary power connectors, is sufficient to power your system configuration with a single Radeon HD 7870.

There is no power consumption data for any Kepler series cards so it's just a guessing game at this point in time.

Yeah that's what I meant!
Nice job looking up the ratings!

 

[BowserMode]

For a system using a single Radeon HD 7870 graphics card AMD specifies a minimum of a 500 Watt or greater power supply. The power supply should also have a combined +12 Volt continuous current rating of 27 Amps or greater and have at least one 6-pin PCI Express supplementary power connector.

Total Power Supply Wattage is NOT the crucial factor in power supply selection!!! Total Continuous Amperage Available on the +12V Rail(s) is the most important factor.

The Corsair Enthusiast Series VX550W (CMPSU-550VX), with its combined +12 Volt continuous current rating of 41 Amps and with one 6-pin and one (6+2)-pin PCI Express supplementary power connectors, is sufficient to power your system configuration with a single Radeon HD 7870.

There is no power consumption data for any Kepler series cards so it's just a guessing game at this point in time.

Thanks great info, I know I will be right on the edge, especially if I OC the 2500k. I might invest in a better PSU so I can have the option to go SLI/CF down the road. Was looking at the TX850, what is the main differences between it and the 35$+ HX850?

 

[ko888]

Thanks great info, I know I will be right on the edge, especially if I OC the 2500k. I might invest in a better PSU so I can have the option to go SLI/CF down the road. Was looking at the TX850, what is the main differences between it and the 35$+ HX850?

If you're using a single Radeon HD 7870 you will have a lot of spare capacity to handle any overclocking you may want to attempt. You've got at least 14 Amps or more in reserve on the +12V rail of the VX550W to handle the CPU overclocking.

Overclocking the i5-2500K from its stock 3.3 GHz to the 4.0 GHz that you want is only going to require about 2 Amps more.

 

[billj214]

HX850 is modular and TX has the cables connected, I have the TX850 and it's an excellent power supply! Your HAF case can hide most of the cables but the modular will look a little nicer.

 

[BowserMode]

If you're using a single Radeon HD 7870 you will have a lot of spare capacity to handle any overclocking you may want to attempt. You've got at least 14 Amps or more in reserve on the +12V rail of the VX550W to handle the CPU overclocking.

Overclocking the i5-2500K from its stock 3.3 GHz to the 4.0 GHz that you want is only going to require about 2 Amps more.

Thanks again, that will save me a little money then.

 

[BowserMode]

Best answer selected by BowserMode.

 

[ko888]

For a system using two Radeon HD 7870 graphics cards in 2-way CrossFireX mode AMD specifies a minimum of an 600 Watt or greater power supply. The power supply should also have a combined +12 Volt continuous current rating of 39 Amps or greater and have at least two 6-pin PCI Express supplementary power connectors.

I would say that the VX550W is capable of handling two Radeon HD 7870 in 2-way CrossFireX mode and your CPU overclocking.