Will this be able to power my computer?

[mastrom101]

Hey everyone,

I recently built a computer, and am planning to get a new gpu to replace my 6770 (i can still return it within 30 day period.) The card i was looking at is either the 550,7770 or the 6870 (6850 if neccesary).

This is my PSU http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4434993&CatId=1483

Im running a i5-2500k, 8gb corsair vengeance ram (2 sticks), an ASUS p8z68-v lx motherboard, and a regular (balckdrive) SATA hard drive with a CD/DVD reader.

I also need to be able to plug in my microphone, 1-2 usbs, an ipod touch, a printer cable, my mouse and keyboard and possibly more in my usb slots. I have two 120mm illuminated fans aswell.

May also need to plug in a sound-blaster card eventually/a pair of creative headphones (USB powered)

I can run my 6770 quite adequately, but i dont know if i will be able to run a 6870 or a 560 instead. The 7770 uses less power than the 6770 so i think i will be okay on that front.

My current card
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=934790&CatId=28

This is the 6870 i would like to be able to run, note that it is overclocked
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1241686&CatId=7005

This is the 560, my concern is that it's a little bit more, and i won't get Shogun II (which i am going to sell to my friend for $20)
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=555335&srkey=E145-1564

Possible 7770's
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2048679&CatId=7387
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2060885&CatId=7387

HWCOMPARE says that 7770's use less power than all of the above. Tiger direct says that the 7770 requires atleast a 600watt PSU, while the 560 requires only a 450 watt PSU, the 6870 and 6850 a 550 watt PSU, and my current 6770 a 450 watt PSU.

Will I be able to cut it? Also, are their any other GPU's around the $100-150 price range I should be considering?

Thanks for your help

 

[Silvune]

AMD only recommends a 600W PSU for a system with two 7770s. But you could easily run a system with a single 7770 on much less.
Which is fortunate because the PSU you have is crap and cannot do 600W:
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Cooler-Master-eXtreme-Power-Plus-600-W-Power-Supply-Review/1034

Yes you probably will be able to run a 6870 on your PSU, but don't count on it being absolutely stable or lasting very long. So you should replace that sooner rather than later.

 

[absorber]

^ Yeah nailed it, be careful with that thing. I would consider changing the psu before upgrading the graphics card to anything which requires more power than a 5770/6770.

 

[mastrom101]

Should i return my PSU? I probably can return it still, the only problem is that i sent it in for a rebate not too long ago. Could i still return it?

Also, what's your verdict? What PSU should i buy? and what GPU?

 

[Rugger]

Definitely return that PSU...the CM Extreme Power PSUs are craptastic.

I'd go for the 6870 if you're gaming close to 1080p. An HD 6870 requires a 500W PSU with at least 32A on the 12V rail and two 75W 6-pin PCIe power connectors; amps on the 12V rail is more important than watts.
Great PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151094

 

[mastrom101]

About returning it:

I called cooler master informing them about the voltage problem and they gave me an RMA form -_- I bought the PSU over 30 days ago (probably 50ish) so i don't know if i can return it still. Also, I sent in the bar code for a rebate. Can i still exchange a product if it is undergoing a rebate? (Obviously the rebate will be nulled)

 

[Rugger]

If you're past 30 days then there are no guarantees for a return and they will likely not allow it with a rebate in progress....that's why they make you turn in the UPC. You might be able to work a deal with Coolermaster for a different PSU model: The only PSUs that I would accept from them is one of the Silent Pro models like the 500W RS-500-AMBA-D3.

The hard part is the length of time that you've had it...they'll likely test it as 'sat' even though it can't provide the rated voltage. If you're lucky then they'll let you swap for a better quality PSU than the Extreme Power Plus. If they won't make the deal for the Silent Pro, then I might settle for one of their GX PSUs; the 550W RS-550-ACAA-D3 is an ok PSU.

 

[mastrom101]

Alright, this may seam stupid but:

I recently got that PSU tested at tiger direct to see if it was ok (i was having problems where i couldn't POST) and the man said my PSU was fine.

Wouldn't he of told me if i was having a problem and i wasn't running at 600 watts? I don't know the exact procedure he did, but i know he plugged it into a machine to check to make sure the PSU was working.

Sorry if that seems like a stupid/obvious question.

 

[Rugger]

He was just testing to make sure that it was able to turn on - not testing it at full load. Two very different things.

 

[mastrom101]

alright, thanks.

Il probably call cooler master and ask to swap out the PSU for a better model, promising that i will pay the diffrence. Can you guys post some links of good cooler-master psus?

Must be able to RUN at 600-800 watts, (500+ is ok, but i'm gonna need more that that.)

Thanks!

 

[Rugger]

You won't need more than 500W unless you SLI/CF. If you SLI/CF, then you need to make the decision on the GPUs before recommendations because of the power difference btw 7770 and 6870 and the fact that the CF 6870 requires four 6-pin PCIe power connectors while the CF 7770 only requires two.

 

[mastrom101]

Alright so 500 watt silent pro> 550 watt GX?
Wouldn't I want the extra voltage?

Im looking to keep this psu for 4-5 years, so its needs to be reliable and have a good waranty.

I was also looking for something that will give me room to add an SSD, sound card, etc. Also needs room for capacitor aging, although i don't plan on adding in a second GPU.

(giving you best anwser)

 

[Rugger]

Alright so 500 watt silent pro> 550 watt GX?
Wouldn't I want the extra voltage?

Im looking to keep this psu for 4-5 years, so its needs to be reliable and have a good waranty.

I was also looking for something that will give me room to add an SSD, sound card, etc. Also needs room for capacitor aging, although i don't plan on adding in a second GPU.

(giving you best anwser)

The Silent Pro is a better quality PSU. Capacitor aging has a much smaller impact on PSU capacity than some imply, especially if you're using a good quality PSU and not running the PSU at very high loads. Based on your system load with an HD 6870, the Silent Pro will be operating in the 40-70% load sweet spot for efficiency and long lifespan for the PSU.

 

[delluser1]

^ +1
Capacitor aging

 

[mastrom101]

Best answer selected by mastrom101.

 

[mastrom101]

Ughhhh. Cooler Master claims that this PSU can run up to 600 watts, and its compatible with the 6870. They said that if it doesn't work, they will send me a replacement.

I'm going to give it a try, seeing as $130 for a 6870 OC is a good price.

 

[Rugger]

Good luck!