Better Graphics Card for current PSU

[budget_gamer]

I'm upgrading the graphics card in my gaming rig and I want to make sure I get a card that will not burn out my PSU. I'm looking at a GTX 460 OR a Radeon HD 6770.

Here is my current setup so you know what kinda power I'm using...

400W Dynex PSU
Gigabyte GA-G41M-ES2L motherboard
Pentium E6500 Dual-Core CPU @2.93 GHZ
OCZ Vertex II 240 GB SSD
4GB SuperTalent RAM
1 DVD Rom
Everything else onboard.

Would I be safe with either of these cards?
Any input would be great!
I'm dying to run Skyrim at more than Low detail, lol

EDIT: I noticed on another post that people were asking about the 12v rail on the PSU, mine are 12v1 15A and 12v2 14A. Dont know if this makes any difference for my question.

 

[hapkido]

What is your budget? You'll want to replace that PSU.

 

[budget_gamer]

What is your budget? You'll want to replace that PSU.

I actually just used the calculator at http://www.thermaltake.outervision.com/Power and according to that, with the HD 6770 I'd only be pulling 261w from my 400w PSU.

My budget is about $150.

 

[hapkido]

I actually just used the calculator at http://www.thermaltake.outervision.com/Power and according to that, with the HD 6770 I'd only be pulling 261w from my 400w PSU.

My budget is about $150.

I think you'll pull 300W at least at full load. And the couple reviews I read on that PSU said it's not very good. It's your choice, but I wouldn't risk it.

PSU: Rosewill Green Series 430W 80+ $44.99
GPU: XFX Radeon HD 6770 $109.99

If you can stretch your budget a little bit, this is a faster card that will run on that PSU:
PNY GeForce GTX 460 $129.99

 

[esrever]

you need to check you +12v and see how many amps it can pull.

the 460 pulls a lot more power than the 6770.

 

[kajabla]

Wattage is not the whole story. I wouldn't really trust that PSU with even a 6770, honestly. Don't push your luck. The PSU is the most important part in any build, and you can get into all sorts of trouble without a high-quality one.
However, with $150:
$125 after rebate Sapphire 6790. This is a decent card.
$25 after rebate (a great deal, not a sign of cheapness) Corsair Builder 430W.

 

[budget_gamer]

I think you'll pull 300W at least at full load. And the couple reviews I read on that PSU said it's not very good. It's your choice, but I wouldn't risk it.

PSU: Rosewill Green Series 430W 80+ $44.99
GPU: XFX Radeon HD 6770 $109.99

If you can stretch your budget a little bit, this is a faster card that will run on that PSU:
PNY GeForce GTX 460 $129.99

I am planning on ordering the HD 6770 This week and then getting a PSU in a week or 2 when I have some more cash. The GTX 460 was my first choice gut its just outta my price range for now. I'd rather get the cheaper card and have some left over cash to put twards the new PSU.

And for the record, the Dynex PSU is EXTREMELY cheap. I dont plan on running it with the new card for more than a week, 2 tops.

 

[kajabla]

Don't risk it at all. Just wait two weeks. Watch some movies or something. Catch up with friends
If you load up the PSU, it's just about as likely to fry the very first time as it is to fry two weeks later. Buy the PSU now, do your cable routing and then get the card (or, if you can scrape up $200 before rebates now, go for both). Don't run the new card on the old PSU.

 

[budget_gamer]

Don't risk it at all. Just wait two weeks. Watch some movies or something. Catch up with friends
If you load up the PSU, it's just about as likely to fry the very first time as it is to fry two weeks later. Buy the PSU now, do your cable routing and then get the card (or, if you can scrape up $200 before rebates now, go for both). Don't run the new card on the old PSU.

Lol, I was thinking the same thing after my last post. I'm not going to order one without the other. Just gotta get some cash now. Anyone wanna buy a kidney?

 

[delluser1]

I actually just used the calculator at http://www.thermaltake.outervision.com/Power and according to that, with the HD 6770 I'd only be pulling 261w from my 400w PSU.

My budget is about $150.

Doesn't work that way.
They are giving you a psu wattage reccomendation, not telling you your power consumption.
A Dynex 400 is a piece of crap that most everyone here at Toms will advise you against using, myself included, but it's ultimately your choice.
Your specs with a 6770 wouldn't come close to putting a 50% load on a 400w psu during normal use, but, as has been mentioned, it's not all about the watts on the label.

 

[jaguarskx]

Rosewill PSUs generally suck. They may be using a couple of OEMs now with better reputations than in the past, but i would generally avoid all their PSUs.

The HD 6770 should work with the Dynex PSU, which I don't think is any better or worse than Rosewill.

 

[budget_gamer]

Well i'd be interest in any recomendations for a decent cheap PSU to use along side the HD 6770.

 

[kajabla]

I stand by the Corsair. You won't find a deal better than that; it really should cost $45.

 

[pacioli]

It looks like the 2 12volt rails have a total of 348 watts.

12v x 15a = 180w
12v x 14a = 168w

If your system would be pulling 261 watts you are getting close to the total watts you have available.

AMD recommends a 450 watt minimum PSU for the 6770
http://www.amd.com/us/products/desktop/graphics/amd-radeon-hd-6000/hd-6770/Pages/amd-radeon-hd-6770-overview.aspx#3

The Dynex PSU is notoriuosly cheap and likely does not supply the stated wattage...

Get a 450 watt PSU from a reputable PSU manufacturer

 

[delluser1]

Well i'd be interest in any recomendations for a decent cheap PSU to use along side the HD 6770.

Follow kajabla's advice

 

[kajabla]

AMD recommends a 450 watt minimum PSU for the 6770
http://www.amd.com/us/products/desktop/graphics/amd-radeon-hd-6000/hd-6770/Pages/amd-radeon-hd-6770-overview.aspx#3

Yeah, but Corsairs will be rated conservatively, and anyway http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/graphics/2011/04/05/amd-radeon-hd-6790-1gb-review/7

 

[budget_gamer]

I stand by the Corsair. You won't find a deal better than that; it really should cost $45.

I'll go with that. Looks ike the COrsair PSU and the Radeon HD 6770 are going in my cart on newegg hopefully tomrrow! Thanks for the help everyone!

 

[esrever]

I'd say the current one will work with the 6770.

 

[pacioli]

Yeah, but Corsairs will be rated conservatively, and anyway http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/graphics/2011/04/05/amd-radeon-hd-6790-1gb-review/7

Absolutely

 

[pacioli]

I'd say the current one will work with the 6770.

I doubt the Dynex will give a worry free experience...

 

[budget_gamer]

I'd say the current one will work with the 6770.

I'd like to think it would too but, I'd rather spend a few bucks more and know I wont have issues. I bought the Dynex 2nd hand anyway so who knows if its gonna just decide to give out even under normal load.

 

[esrever]

just get the new psu with the card then.

although I don't see much of a risk trying it with the psu. if it crashes the worse that could happen is you break the psu.

 

[pacioli]

just get the new psu with the card then.

although I don't see much of a risk trying it with the psu. if it crashes the worse that could happen is you break the psu.

The worse thing that could happen would be you fry the Mobo, 6770, CPU and RAM

 

[budget_gamer]

just get the new psu with the card then.

although I don't see much of a risk trying it with the psu. if it crashes the worse that could happen is you break the psu.

My worry is my cheap PSU taking out my cheap motherboard in the process of killing itself

 

[delluser1]

I'd like to think it would too but, I'd rather spend a few bucks more and know I wont have issues. I bought the Dynex 2nd hand anyway so who knows if its gonna just decide to give out even under normal load.

Wow, you really are a budget gamer :lol: