Cant decide on the PSU

[chris365]

I currently have a dell inspiron 620 MT, which is perfect however it came with an intel integrated graphics card 2000 which is horrible at giving decent frames for any of the games i want to play

So I ordered an msi hd 6850 pe/oc edition for my pc. My dell computer only has a 300 w power supply so i need to upgrade it.

Im currently considering this : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139026
but im not sure if 430 w is enough and im planning to overclock my 6850 a tad bit for better performance

My current computer specs:
Inspiron 620 windows 7, Intel Core i5-2320 processor(6MB Cache, 3.0GHz)
6GB DDR3 SDRAM,1333MHZ - 1x4GB/1x2GB
Dell 20 Inch, IN2030MF Flat Panel Monitor, resolution 1600X900
Integrated Intel HD Graphics 2000
1TB Serial ATA 2 Hard Drive 7200RPM
300 w psu

So im stuck at deciding on the psu. It would be awesome to hear if the 430 w psu is enough for the 6850 since its only around 17 dollars now after the rebate.

Your help would be much appreciated

 

[rolli59]

It will run your HD6850 just fine. I have a 400watt Antec running one.

 

[brianthesnail]

hi chris
allthough the CORSAIR Builder Series CX430 430W is a solid psu its a tad underpowered for the HD6850.... it may work however i wouldnt like to take the chance and with 500w as the minimum psu requirement on the AMD website ( http://www.amd.com/us/products/desktop/graphics/amd-radeon-hd-6000/hd-6850/pages/amd-radeon-hd-6850-overview.aspx#3 ) it best going with the official requirements
you also need to consider your other components aswell... and then theres future upgrades..and by using the 430w corsair which again should be fine your leaving yourself with no room for upgrades ( even another HDD ) ... so your probally better off by getting something like the CORSAIR Builder Series CX500 500W ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027 ) .. slightly more expensive but much better and will power the HD6850 without any problems .... infact if your budget can stretch i would also recommend the "SeaSonic S12II 520 Bronze 520W "( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151094 ) ... seasonic make the best power supplys in the world ...period .... and they are actually the company who make corsair and tagan psu,s (oem ) so the components inside a seasonic psu are the same as the ones you get in a corsair .. just different branding
in summary go above 500w just to be on the safe side .. as i mentioned the 430w corsair will probally be fine,however i wouldnt run a HD6850 with a 430w psu even a branded psu like the corsair ..... spend that bit extra and go with the corsair 500w or even better the seasonic 520w ( recommended )
hope this helps chris

 

[rolli59]

HD6850 system. Total system load under stress test 292watts http://www.anandtech.com/show/3987/amds-radeon-6870-6850-renewing-competition-in-the-midrange-market/20
AMD and Card manufacturers recommendation are based on generic PSU's such as Logisys which can not deliver what they promise. The CX430 is more powerful than a 575watt Logisys http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817170017

 

[chris365]

ct1615 and rolli59,
thanks for your replies and I understand that 500w is unnecesary but I heard that msi 6850 pe/oc is equal or even better than a 6870 when its overclocked. So im assuming that it will need more power or around 6870 when overclocked. I might be completely wrong, but I just want to be sure. So 430 w will be enough even after my 6850 is overclocked to the max?

 

[rolli59]

ct1615 and rolli59,
thanks for your replies and I understand that 500w is unnecesary but I heard that msi 6850 pe/oc is equal or even better than a 6870 when its overclocked. So im assuming that it will need more power or around 6870 when overclocked. I might be completely wrong, but I just want to be sure. So 430 w will be enough even after my 6850 is overclocked to the max?

Yes it will be fine. Tom's even used a similar 430watt PSU in one of their $500 builds for a HD6870. http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/phenom-ii-overclock-graphics-card,3032.html

 

[toyftw]

ct1615 and rolli59,
thanks for your replies and I understand that 500w is unnecesary but I heard that msi 6850 pe/oc is equal or even better than a 6870 when its overclocked. So im assuming that it will need more power or around 6870 when overclocked. I might be completely wrong, but I just want to be sure. So 430 w will be enough even after my 6850 is overclocked to the max?

Hi Chris - rolli, ct, & brian all have valid points, so I'll throw my 2 cents in.
If you are in the US, you can get super deals right now on 430w & up
quality PSU's. You don't need 500w to run that card, but I assume the
GPU is under warranty. If so, you might as well go for a 500w to not
allow MSI an 'out' (even tho I doubt they would go that far) by having less than
recommended watts if you need to RMA the card during the warrany period

Tom

 

[chris365]

Best answer selected by chris365.

 

[chris365]

Just ordered the corsair 430w for the msi 6850 on newegg

Thanks a lot everyone