Graphic cards wattage compatability

[Gilbert977]

Hello
I am looking into getting a new graphics card for my computer and the one i want to get is a Gigabyte HD6870 1G OC GDDR5 PCIE HDMI DP that is 500w, however when i opened my computer it said 350w output on the power supply. Will the graphics card still run?

 

[cind3r69]

Hello
I am looking into getting a new graphics card for my computer and the one i want to get is a Gigabyte HD6870 1G OC GDDR5 PCIE HDMI DP that is 500w, however when i opened my computer it said 350w output on the power supply. Will the graphics card still run?

Although you have not listed your other system components, almost certainly you will need a better power supply. Recommended will be a power supply in the 500watt range. a power supply capable of outputing 30-40 amps on the 12 volt rail is ideal. I recommend seasonic, and corsair power supplies, but the odd model from any manufacturer can be very good. picking a decent power supply is the most critical part of any computer build, and I can only recommend that you look into power supply reviews, and select one with a known good reliability.

You can check who makes any particular model online and find out if its any good or not, heres a helpful link :

http://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/PSU_Manufacturers

 

[unksol]

That GPU is no where near 500W. maybe 150W. And no your PSU will not run it safely. you will need a new one.

 

[cind3r69]

That GPU is no where near 500W. maybe 150W. And no your PSU will not run it safely. you will need a new one.

I think where he is getting 500w is from the recommended power supply specs :

http://www.amd.com/us/products/desktop/graphics/amd-radeon-hd-6000/hd-6870/pages/amd-radeon-hd-6870-overview.aspx#3

"500 Watt or greater power supply with two 75W 6-pin PCI Express® power connectors recommended (600 Watt and four 6-pin connectors for AMD CrossFireX™ technology in dual mode) "

 

[Gilbert977]

Thank you for the quick response guys it was very useful

 

[unksol]

I think where he is getting 500w is from the recommended power supply specs :

http://www.amd.com/us/products/desktop/graphics/amd-radeon-hd-6000/hd-6870/pages/amd-radeon-hd-6870-overview.aspx#3

"500 Watt or greater power supply with two 75W 6-pin PCI Express® power connectors recommended (600 Watt and four 6-pin connectors for AMD CrossFireX™ technology in dual mode) "

Right. that's what I figured. Your original reply came in while I was pecking at my phone.

 

[truegenius]

if your 350w psu is a quality one, then you can try hd7770
otherwise you will need to buy a new psu too