Will an xfx pro 450 watt psu run a HD7970 graphics card?

[Mangotango]

HD7970 & xfx450 watt pro

 

[theclouds]

500W minimum . Use a high quality PSU from good manufacturers (Antec, CWT, Enermax, Seasonic etc)
http://www.amd.com/us/products/desktop/graphics/7000/7970/Pages/radeon-7970.aspx#2

Use this calculator as a rough estimate of your power needs bc your other parts matter especially if you overclock
http://www.extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp

Of course an awesome Tom's article to go with it: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/power-supply-oem-manufacturer,review-32187-4.html

 

[Mangotango]

I already own an xfx pro 450 watt 80+ psu. I'm hoping to upgrade to a Hd7970if the psu will run it. the psu has36 amps on one 12v rail.

 

[theProbe]

Post complete system spec.

 

[Mangotango]

Post complete system spec.

Intel i5 3470
8gb ddr3 1333
1x 1tb sata
2x 500gb sata
1x DVD burner
Intel h61 motherboard
HD7970 - hopefully

 

[theProbe]

You could but it would be really stressful on the PSU. You can get the gpu and then get another psu when you have enough money. For the 7970 to work you will need a molex to 6pin adapter.
Also, i would remove those 2 HDD's and use only one while you are on this psu.
PSU spec:
+3.3V@20A, +5V@20A, +12V@34A, -12V@0.5A, +5VSB@2.5A

GPU needs about 17A max and cpu 7A max on 12v both. Thats within the 34A available on the 12v rail.

 

[theclouds]

Post complete system spec.

Intel i5 3470
8gb ddr3 1333
1x 1tb sata
2x 500gb sata
1x DVD burner
Intel h61 motherboard
HD7970 - hopefully

Probes got it. Personally, if money is tight I won't buy the 7970. I know it is tempting better graphics card is more exciting than PSU. But I'm old and I value a good PSU before anything else. If you think about it, PSU is probably the most important part of a build, especially an enthusiast one. So weigh your options: a beasty video card + so-so PSU or buy a dependable PSU following manufacturer guidelines + save money left over from PSU for a video card.

 

[Mangotango]

Thanks for the info, ill probably give it a go with this setup, if the psu begins to struggle ill buy another but I really wanted the extra performance and I have read on other forums that people are using Hd7970 with the xfx 450 psu and not having any problems. My biggest worry was the three hard drives I have, I'm thinking of buying a 2tb drive and chucking the three I have, would that balance out and not need me to buy another psu...... I dunno!

 

[Mangotango]

I can get a coolermaster b600 with 47amps on the +12v for fairly cheap, would that be better or basically the same...I know the b series isn't 80+ cert but with 47amps on the 12v it should be ok shouldn't it?

 

[toyftw]

Post complete system spec.

Intel i5 3470
8gb ddr3 1333
1x 1tb sata
2x 500gb sata
1x DVD burner
Intel h61 motherboard
HD7970 - hopefully

Hi - Yes, you can run a sys with 1 7970. Your PSU has 34 +12v amps(not 36) & you need 30.
Doesn't leave much room for stress situations. So, probably refrain from OC, but you don't have to disconnect
anything.

I would avoid Coolermaster PSU's (except the three Seasonic built Vxxx models)

 

[Mangotango]

Thanks Toyftw that's brilliant.

Thanks everyone for your help, I'll let you know if things don't go well!

 

[Mangotango]

One last question, if I overclock the HD7970 to the same speeds as the Ghz edition...... Will the PSU handle it ok?

 

[toyftw]

One last question, if I overclock the HD7970 to the same speeds as the Ghz edition...... Will the PSU handle it ok?

Not sure - Try it & keep close eye on your system, that PSU is pretty well made, so it should shut
down if you push it beyond where you should.

 

[Mangotango]

Hi all,

I can confirm my setup runs fine with a HD7970 and xfx pro 450 watt psu. Benchmarked with heaven 4.0 and played six hours of bf3 at ultra settings without issue.
Thinking of trying to overclock to the ghz edition frequencies. Dunno if that would be pushing my luck?

Thanks for all the help