New Gaming System

[mernst]

Hello,

I am not a very experienced builder, and I haven't done it quite sometime. My old system died on me and I decided to spoil myself a bit and upgrade.

The one thing I overlooked was the power supply and I am very lost. I went to a component sales store and the tech was trying to tell me I need over 1000W just based on my video cards. I'm pretty sure I saw a system builder marathon with similar components built with a 750W power supply.

Any assistance would be appreciated.


Specs:
Case:
-Antec Three Hundred

Motherboard & CPU:
-MSI P67A-G45 (B3) LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
-Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 3000 BX80623I52500K

RAM:
-G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL7D-4GBRH

Graphics:
-Gigabyte (GV-R685OC-1GD) AMD Radeon HD 6850 1GB GDDR5 AMD Radeon HD 6850 Chipset (820Mhz) 1GB GDDR5 (4200Mhz) Memory HD Audio Triple Display (Dual DVI) /HDMI/ Display Port PCI-Express 2.1 Graphics Card

Cooling:
-Cooler Master Hyper TX3 3 Heat Pipe CPU Cooler, Copper Base (RR-910-HTX3-G1) for Socket LGA1156/775 & AM3/AM2/940/939/754

 

[eddieroolz]

I think a 650W would suffice, honestly. 6850 isn't that much of a power hog.

Also, component store techs usually try to oversell you stuff. It's the same everywhere.

 

[andystanley]

600w should be plenty. This silverstone is reliable and only comes to $69($59 after MIR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256071

 

[mernst]

I've seen a lot of power supplies with the 80Plus certificate. Has anyone noticed a difference with these power supplies?

I've also looked at modular power supplies. I like the marketing idea of them, but are they as practical in use?

 

[eddieroolz]

80PLUS helps with power use and efficiency. I can't comment on the impact of having a good rated PSU on my bill because I don't pay for it

As for modular PSUs, yes they are indeed worth the price. The ability to remove cables you don't need helps a lot when you have cases with poor cable management, or not enough space.

 

[andystanley]

^^^what eddie said. Modular also give you much better airflow as you don't have unused cables everywhere. It also just gives a much better looking pc overall

 

[ehcanadian]

80PLUS helps with power use and efficiency. I can't comment on the impact of having a good rated PSU on my bill because I don't pay for it

As for modular PSUs, yes they are indeed worth the price. The ability to remove cables you don't need helps a lot when you have cases with poor cable management, or not enough space.

I agree, get modular. I didn't go for one because the bill for my build was going a bit over my budget.

I have a similar build (sapphire 6850 and regular 2500) and after checking a few psu calculators online, the max I would get is like 600w, but I went with a 750w because I'm planning on crossfiring in the future.

If you're still unsure, calculate your power needs by googling psu calculator, and do it with several different ones to get an idea.

 

[mernst]

Thanks! Those calcs were quite easy to use. Looks like I'm staring down a minimum of 500W. I'll probably snag a 700-800W supply then.

 

[mernst]

One final question:

Any particular brands people trust? I've always used Corsair, but now there are a lot of names out there (yes, it has been a very long time for me).

I like the connection cables on the Corsair units, and I trusted the brand. Other companies offering the easy to disconnect cables now too?

 

[andystanley]

Thanks! Those calcs were quite easy to use. Looks like I'm staring down a minimum of 500W. I'll probably snag a 700-800W supply then.

750w+ is overkill. 650w-700w will serve you fine.

Also I reccomend maybe getting 8gb ram instead of 4gb.

 

[ehcanadian]

750w+ is overkill. 650w-700w will serve you fine.

Also I reccomend maybe getting 8gb ram instead of 4gb.

Yes, over 750W would be overkill. Like I said, I'm getting it because I'm planning on crossfiring.

I waited for my stuff to go on sale, so if you're going go with andy's advice and you're on a budget but also not in a rush, wait for good ram to go on sale. If the ram slots on your mobo are dual-channel, wait for a pair of 4gb (2 sticks of 4gb that is) to go on sale. The extra 4gb does make a difference and you'll be glad you got it.

 

[mernst]

I guess I didn't mention in the spec's that I have (2) 6850's going in crossfire.

 

[eddieroolz]

One final question:

Any particular brands people trust? I've always used Corsair, but now there are a lot of names out there (yes, it has been a very long time for me).

I like the connection cables on the Corsair units, and I trusted the brand. Other companies offering the easy to disconnect cables now too?

I used a Corsair VX550 for my first build. It seems that a lot of people also trust Corsair as well, so you can consider that.

However, if you've got money to spend a Seasonic is apparently one of the best. Many of them are 80PLUS Bronze at minimum and if you step up to ones like X850 or X650, you get 80PLUS Gold. However they do command quite a premium ($220CAD for X850).

 

[ehcanadian]

2 6850's? Then yeah, 750W would be a good idea.

My PSU is also a Corsair. I was going to go cheaper but I realized that I want my stuff to last as well.

 

[mernst]

Does it matter if the power supply is SLI or Crossfire certified? Sounds like marketing hocum to me.