12V @ 26A output from a superflower 600k14 psu

[NeedToKnow]

I've been looking at the specs of the psu I have in my PC, and am not sure whether I should try out my new 8800gt card on it or wait a little while longer until I can get a new psu.

It boils down to this:

The power supply has the following specs-
3.3V Max 35A
5V Max 53A
12V(1) Max 22A
12V(2) Max 22A

The Max combined wattage for 12V (1&2) is apparently 360W according to the specs, which doesn't seem to add up according to the maths I did at school. Am I missing something?
Max total on all rails is apparently 570W, again this doesn't seem to add up to me.

The gfx card says it requires 26A @ 12V, which would equate to 312W consumption from my understanding, which is below the total 360W for 12V on the psu, but above the amperage for a single 12V port(rail?).

Would I be correct in saying in theory there should be a 44A(22 x 2) max on the 12V rails, which would be below the 26A I am after?

From what I have read here, jonnyGURU knows his PSU's and he isn't very fond of superflower.

So should I just bite the bullet and not play with my new toy until I can get a new psu, or should I be fairly safe.

If I needed to get a new psu, what brand is currently good? I've used an Antec once before and the results were quite disasterous, ie random shutdowns and severe system damage within the first few days. Maybe I was unlucky?

I intend to get a second card later on, so upgrading my psu will be needed eventually anyway.

 

[mpilchfamily]

The power recommendations for the card are full system and not just for the card. As the PSU says it has a max output of 360W on the 12V rails. You can't just add the amperages listed on each rail together. That is rated capacity of each rail. So if the system is pulling more then 22A from one of the rails the PSU will shut off to prevent any damage.

There is no doubt that your current PSU is a low quality unit and it would be in your best interest to get a new one. A popular good quality brand right now is Corsair. There 450W unit will be fine with just a single card. If you do end up getting a second card then you may want to go with the VX550 or the HX620 if you want a modular PSU.

 

[NeedToKnow]

So the two 12V values it has would indicate that there are two completely separate rails supplying a max of 22A @ 12V each then?

"There is no doubt that your current PSU is a low quality unit and it would be in your best interest to get a new one."

What are you basing this on, what in particular indicates that this is a low quality unit? It is more than two years old and as yet I haven't had any problems, but I don't think it will have the power rating for my gfx upgrade though.

If I remember my correctly p(W) = V x A isn't it. I can't remember the exact rules when it comes down to parallel vs series circuits.

 

[jonnyGURU]

Originally posted by: NeedToKnow
I've been looking at the specs of the psu I have in my PC, and am not sure whether I should try out my new 8800gt card on it or wait a little while longer until I can get a new psu.

It boils down to this:

The power supply has the following specs-
3.3V Max 35A
5V Max 53A
12V(1) Max 22A
12V(2) Max 22A

The Max combined wattage for 12V (1&2) is apparently 360W according to the specs, which doesn't seem to add up according to the maths I did at school. Am I missing something?
Max total on all rails is apparently 570W, again this doesn't seem to add up to me.

This is because the total combined and the "limit" for each rail are two different things.

Please see this sticky: http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2167846&enterthread=y

So your PSU's actual +12V capability is 360W, or 30A. They then take that 30A and split it into two rails, each with a maximum capability of 22A. So each "rail" can deliver up to 22A individually, but you certainly couldn't deliver 22A on both at the same time.

Originally posted by: NeedToKnow
The gfx card says it requires 26A @ 12V, which would equate to 312W consumption from my understanding, which is below the total 360W for 12V on the psu, but above the amperage for a single 12V port(rail?).

As mpilchfamily pointed out: That's a suggested minimum for the entire PC. The graphics card alone doesn't even need 1/4 that.

Originally posted by: NeedToKnowWould I be correct in saying in theory there should be a 44A(22 x 2) max on the 12V rails, which would be below the 26A I am after?

No, see above.

Originally posted by: NeedToKnowFrom what I have read here, jonnyGURU knows his PSU's and he isn't very fond of superflower.

I wouldn't say I'm not fond of it as in I shun it. They just far from the best. They're still way better than a lot of the junk that's out there.

Originally posted by: NeedToKnowSo should I just bite the bullet and not play with my new toy until I can get a new psu, or should I be fairly safe.

You're fine.

Originally posted by: NeedToKnowIf I needed to get a new psu, what brand is currently good? I've used an Antec once before and the results were quite disasterous, ie random shutdowns and severe system damage within the first few days. Maybe I was unlucky?

Or not.

Originally posted by: NeedToKnowI intend to get a second card later on, so upgrading my psu will be needed eventually anyway.

Second card, I would invest in the new PSU.

 

[NeedToKnow]

Thanks, it's all starting to make more sense now. I'll give it a go and see if Crysis causes a system shutdown :S. I bought the antec originally because many people had recommended them, and many since have said I was unlucky with the problems I had, but I still did not want to try them again.
The company I bought the PC from said the damage had been done because I had switched the power supply over to 110V mode(I'm in Australia with 240V), which I argued is stupid and would have caused the entire thing to blow up, not surge and fail intermittently. They still would not honour any warranties though.
I've been looking at the stock of an allegedly more reputable supplier, but they don't seem to stock any Corsair psu's, but so far I am leaning towards a Thermaltake 850W Toughpower. 850W continous @ 50'C, combined total 62A, with 2 rails rated @ 30A and a 3 year warranty. They also say they have strict voltage regulation of +-3% and effiency of up to 87%(I'd like to see proof though).
Does anyone have any experience with these Thermaltake units?

 

[NeedToKnow]

Quick update - Installed the card, runs Crysis on high settings quite well, no power problems at all so far. Thanks again