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How big of a power supply do I need

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Hello,
I was thinking about upgrading my PC with the tax refund I get, and I found some things that I want to get, and I know I'll probably need to upgrade my power supply, but that part is the only thing that is completely confusing. Let me just list what I have/what I want to put in my PC and let you smart ladies and gentlemen help me out with this one. Thanks in advance

Intel Core i5 750 2.66GHz
12 GB (4 x 2 GB, 2 x 2 GB) DDR3 PC3-10600
500 GB 7200 rpm SATA 3G (3.0 Gb/sec)
120 GB SATA III SSD 6.0 Gb/sec
Asus HD7770-2GD5
AVerMedia C985 Live Gamer HD 1080p Capture Card
MSI MS-7613 Motherboard
15-in-1 (4 slot) with passive IR sensor + 1 USB, 1394
DVD writer with lightscribe (don't know the specs)
LG Blu Ray Player (Don't know the specs, but probably lower end)
Integrated 7.1 Sound


The HP website says that it comes standard with a 350 Watt Power supply, but I don't really know what I should be looking for, but I just want all of this to work. Thanks for all the help.

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Power supply Master

HYP3Rl0N said:
What exactly do I need to look for? Watts? amps?

12v amps are more important

HYP3Rl0N said:

What do you think I will need to run the computer without worry?

3 different wattages provided, even the lowest is plenty enough to not have any worries
Power supply Expert

Hey HYP3RION.

I suspect that you could get by with the power supply you already have.
You will likely need a molex to 6pin adapter for the one PCIe power socket on your new video card.

The 7770 does not use a lot of power.
No other items in your system are power hungry.

I think it's worth a shot to just add the card and go.

Just my 2 cents...

Newf.

.

Newf said:
Hey HYP3RION.

I suspect that you could get by with the power supply you already have.
You will likely need a molex to 6pin adapter for the one PCIe power socket on your new video card.

The 7770 does not use a lot of power.
No other items in your system are power hungry.

I think it's worth a shot to just add the card and go.

Just my 2 cents...

Newf.

.


http://www.amd.com/US/PRODUCTS/DESKTOP/GRAPHICS/7000/77...

This says otherwise... minimum 500w... (I know they normally say more than is needed IF you have a good PSU)
But... He does not have a good PSU.. AND it is only 350w. Sure you could try it but don't be surprised if it takes out part of your system.
Power supply Expert

Derza10 said:
http://www.amd.com/US/PRODUCTS/DESKTOP/GRAPHICS/7000/77...

This says otherwise... minimum 500w... (I know they normally say more than is needed IF you have a good PSU)
But... He does not have a good PSU.. AND it is only 350w. Sure you could try it but don't be surprised if it takes out part of your system.

Of course it says otherwise. Also notice that posters above were recommending 400 watt psus for this "upgrade".

The stock power supplies that come with Dell and HP systems, while not the best for enthusiast builds, are not junk either.
Unlike the garbage aftermarket 500+ watt units for less money than a Ronco Pocket Fisherman, I would not expect these OEM units to take out a system.

The total load expected here should not exceed 250 watts and will mostly be much less.

Newf.

.

Newf said:
Of course it says otherwise. Also notice that posters above were recommending 400 watt psus for this "upgrade".

The stock power supplies that come with Dell and HP systems, while not the best for enthusiast builds, are not junk either.
Unlike the garbage aftermarket 500+ watt units for less money than a Ronco Pocket Fisherman, I would not expect these OEM units to take out a system.

The total load expected here should not exceed 250 watts and will mostly be much less.

Newf.

.


That all depends on the PSU 12v rail setup - you can not tell how much a PSU will provide to the CPU/GPU unless you know that amps on the 12v rails... Really need to know that... OP Can you check the sticker on the side of your PSU and tell us what it says for the 12v rails?
Power supply Master

Derza10 said:
http://www.amd.com/US/PRODUCTS/DESKTOP/GRAPHICS/7000/77...

This says otherwise... minimum 500w... (I know they normally say more than is needed IF you have a good PSU)
But... He does not have a good PSU.. AND it is only 350w. Sure you could try it but don't be surprised if it takes out part of your system.

Says minimum 500w for a 7970 also
http://www.amd.com/us/products/desktop/graphics/7000/79...

7770 rated at 80 watts max, 7970 rated at 250 watts max
http://www.gpureview.com/show_cards.php?card1=675&card2...

OP could do it, HP and Dell power supplies of that wattage usually put 25 or more amps across 2 rails, and have the required 6 pin connector
The big box companies don't follow the mystical 50% rule, system was probably available with a more power hungry card as an option

delluser1 said:
Says minimum 500w for a 7970 also
http://www.amd.com/us/products/desktop/graphics/7000/79...

7770 rated at 80 watts max, 7970 rated at 250 watts max
http://www.gpureview.com/show_cards.php?card1=675&card2...

OP could do it, HP and Dell power supplies of that wattage usually put 25 or more amps across 2 rails, and have the required 6 pin connector
The big box companies don't follow the mystical 50% rule, system was probably available with a more power hungry card as an option



So... What about this? if not, what do i need to look for?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

I checked under the hood:

Delta Electronics model DPS-350AB-8
+12Va/18A, 12Vb/18A, +5V/13A, +5Vstb/2A, 3.3V/15A, -12V/.8A
(it also says 300W max combined power on +12Va & +12Vb)


Does that help anyone know if I could use the same power supply? If it's going to cutting it close, I'd rather just spend some money and not worry about it, but if by some miracle, it's a decent power supply, why not right?
Power supply Master

HYP3Rl0N said:
I checked under the hood:

Delta Electronics model DPS-350AB-8
+12Va/18A, 12Vb/18A, +5V/13A, +5Vstb/2A, 3.3V/15A, -12V/.8A
(it also says 300W max combined power on +12Va & +12Vb)


Does that help anyone know if I could use the same power supply? If it's going to cutting it close, I'd rather just spend some money and not worry about it, but if by some miracle, it's a decent power supply, why not right?

You would end up putting around a 75% load on the psu when gaming
You'll have lot's of people tell you that's to close, if it's all your system will be doing 24/7 I'd agree, I don't think anyone could keep that up, maybe a relay
Nothing wrong with spending a bit on a psu either, choose correctly and you end up with better quality,more functionality ( connectors ), higher efficiency and generally less noise
You have the money for it ;) 
Power supply Expert

HYP3Rl0N said:
I checked under the hood:

Delta Electronics model DPS-350AB-8
+12Va/18A, 12Vb/18A, +5V/13A, +5Vstb/2A, 3.3V/15A, -12V/.8A
(it also says 300W max combined power on +12Va & +12Vb)


Does that help anyone know if I could use the same power supply? If it's going to cutting it close, I'd rather just spend some money and not worry about it, but if by some miracle, it's a decent power supply, why not right?

Exactly.

delluser says that for a small amount of $$ you get piece of mind and a better psu. You have the money.
That's right.

What I am saying is that your Delta power supply should work just fine with a 7770.
I am right as well. 300 watts on 12 volts is more than enough for your system as you describe it.

If you wanted to use a 7800 series card then without question you need a better psu.

Call it a toss up if you want. It's your money.

Newf.

.

FWIW, I have a pretty high end system and using a wattage meter, I use around 350 watts at full load (i.e. CPU/GPU/HDD stress tests running simultaneously).

System is:
i5-3570K quad-core OC'ed to 4.2GHz
Gigabyte Z77X-UD5H mobo
32GB RAM (4x8GB)
nVidia GTX 670
4x 7200RPM HDDs and 2x SSDs
BD-RW and DVD-RW drives
Large case with 5 120mm fans and a 240mm fan

I thought I needed a lot of power, so I bought a Corsair AX850 PSU. In reality, my system is currently running at 110W, and jumps to around 275W when gaming. Max is 350W as mentioned above.
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