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Started by JakeCuddihy | | 21 answers
Is 650W PSU enough for upgrade to GTX 780 6GB and new CPU cooler in Dell XPS 8500?
Hello Tom's Hardware community, this is my first post! I currently own a Dell XPS 8500 with:

    256 GB SSD
    24 GB RAM
    I7-3770 3.4
    GTX 660
    460W PSU

I render 3d scenes and am not satisfied by render times on my GPU. I want to upgrade my GTX 660 to a GTX 780 6GB. My CPU also reaches maximum temperatures of 80 degrees celsius when rendering, (even after cleaning dust). So, in addition to the GPU upgrade I plan to install a Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO - CPU Cooler and apply Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Paste to my CPU. Lastly I intend to replace my 460W PSU with a SeaSonic 650W PSU.

Will the GTX 780 6GB be compatible with my current configuration? Also, will the new 650W PSU be enough to support the TGX 780 and be compatible with my current configuration?

Thank you for taking the time to look at my question, have a great day!

EDIT: After looking around more, (which I did prior to asking this but should have looked harder, sorry) I see that my CPU and motherboard would probably need to upgraded to avoid bottle-necking with this card. Is it even worth pursuing upgrading this pc or should I instead make plans to start from scratch?
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a c 2488 ) Power supply
a c 1078 à CPUs
July 24, 2014 6:58:27 PM

The SeaSonic gold 650W power supply you chose could probably run two GTX 780s. ....LOL
a b à CPUs
July 24, 2014 6:52:36 PM

That is one of the better coolers to go with outside of looking into liquid cooling. If you're not overclocking there really is no point blowing money on liquid cooling or even closed loop liquid cooling.
July 24, 2014 1:15:44 PM

What does everyone think of that CPU cooler? Is there something a little better or would that help well with my overheating? Is it worth looking into liquid cooling?
a b ) Power supply
a b à CPUs
July 24, 2014 12:15:30 PM

JakeCuddihy said:

Is there any downside to having more wattage than necessary?

No,the pc will only draw what it uses (well a little more,efficiency still plays a role).The only thing with some psu's is that efficiency takes a dive under 20% load,but with a gold rated psu that's often not such a big deal,these are most of the times even on lower loads still quite efficient.
July 24, 2014 12:03:02 PM

Ytyoussef said:
I wouldn't do an sli on 650w, but it is indeed enough power for what you need it for.


Thanks, I'll make sure to remember that.
a b ) Power supply
a b à CPUs
July 24, 2014 12:01:25 PM

I wouldn't do an sli on 650w, but it is indeed enough power for what you need it for.
a b à CPUs
July 24, 2014 12:01:15 PM

emdea22 said:
Seasonic makes better power supplies than Superflower and 750w is more than you need. EVGA are mostly budget alternatives to other PSUs


budget alternatives? EVGA's supernova's are some of the most highly rated.
July 24, 2014 11:57:23 AM

jeffredo said:
The SeaSonic gold 650W power supply you chose could probably run two GTX 780s. As far as your CPU bottlenecking a GTX 780 - absolutely not.


Excellent, it sounds like everything works out. Thanks for the advice!

Best solution chosen by JakeCuddihy

a b ) Power supply
a b à CPUs
July 24, 2014 11:47:24 AM

The SeaSonic gold 650W power supply you chose could probably run two GTX 780s. As far as your CPU bottlenecking a GTX 780 - absolutely not.

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