Radeon HD 7850 and PSU [3D Texturing]

[Seitar]

Hi there,

I've recently bought a Sapphire Radeon 7850 HD 2GB. I've not built it in my system so far, because I am not entirely sure if my PSU is able to deal with it. The PSU [ LC500H-12 V2.2] has 500 W and 350 W [each 15A] on two 12V rails. I also have a AMD FX 8120 - 16 GB DDR3 and only one SATA in this system.

I am not planning to use the Graphic Card for Gaming, but I hope to gain a better performance in Mari, a texturing tool [like Mudbox]. Since the new Mari Update is capable of dealing with ATI cards. I also use Autodesk Maya on my system. I do not plan to use GPU Rendering.

So I would use this Graphic card just for watching FULL HD Videos, 3D Modeling [Viewport in Maya] and 3D Texturing [Mari], Desktop stuff - using two monitors [1920x1080 and 1400x900].

[CPU is mainly used and at peak level in 3D Rendering] [GPU would be used for 3D Texturing]

According to various sources on the net - the FX 8120 uses 125 W and the HD 7850 normally 130 W - since the rest of my system is relatively small [just one SATA, Mainboard]

I will probably buy a new PSU very soon, but do you think this would work until then?

Thanks in advance,
Seitar

 

[darth pravus]

A no name PSU is never a good idea.

We can't promise that it won;t blow your system.

A PSU from corsair, seasonic or enermax would be best.

 

[Seitar]

Thank you for reply, Darth Pravus.

LC Power is a German company [http://www.lc-power.de/], but as everything else, parts are made in China. It's definitely not top notch, more a budget psu and was built in my system when I bought the PC [~6 months]. At the time I was much more focussed on the software costs [Maya and Mari are quite expensive]. Reviews (~20) on Amazon are mostly positive, but that doesn't mean much. According to LC Power the PSU should have every security stuff, but I wouldn't bet on it and risk everything.

I am glad that you recommended a few PSUs. I am also thinking about the Antec 550W. And you're right - nobody can guarantee that it doesn't blow the system. Although my use of the Graphic card shouldn't be too stressfull [Photoshop, Mari, Viewport stuff] - I certainly don't want to start from scratch hardware-wise.

Thanks

 

[darth pravus]

I don't know much about the brand to be honest. I know antec make good PSUs as a general rule.

If it does have overvoltage protection and the rest then it should be ok. I just don't want to guarantee it.

 

[maestro0428]

I recommend Seasonic. A 620w modular version will fit nicely and is affordable.

 

[Seitar]

Thanks guys. These are good recommendations.

Yeah, my inner child rebells against the thought to put that new graphic card on the shelf for a month or two. My own fault - I bought a little too early. But it's better to wait that time, buy a decent PSU without any further worrying what might happen if the PSU has a bad day and risk damaging the current system
. Currently my system works and I can do all the things - even working with Mari. Just performance sucks a bit.

I will save a bit more and buy a good and certified PSU since I want to upgrade the system next year anyway.

Helped me a lot. Thanks again.

 

[darth pravus]

Good man. Hope you build is all well and you know where to come if you have any problems.