9800 GT on a 430w?

[Aolish]

I have a very good friend that wants to purchase a 9800 GT 512MB card. But he only has a 430w PSU to power it. Anyone know if this will be enough power to feed a 9800GT? Thanks for any info!

 

[AVP]

Depends on how many amps are on the 12v line...Need more info

 

[toyota]

you dont power just the card so a question like that is useless without more info on the system and details on the psu. you have been here over 7 years and should know the drill by now.

 

[Soulkeeper]

I don't think he'd have a problem, assuming he's not doing any massive overclocking of a beefy cpu and the system isn't loaded with loadsa extra goodies
the 9800GT pulls between 80 and 100 watts or so
But unless you "feel lucky" AVP is right, gotta do the calculations

 

[TidusZ]

Unless that psu is also jerry-rigged to a space heater or something, in addition to the rest of the pc components, I'd bet good money that his psu will handle the card just fine.

 

[toyota]

Originally posted by: TidusZ
Unless that psu is also jerry-rigged to a space heater or something, in addition to the rest of the pc components, I'd bet good money that his psu will handle the card just fine.

it could easily be a thermaltake 430watt psu which is the biggest joke out there for that wattage rating. it only has 18amps on the 12v which is less than most 300 watt units.

 

[cusideabelincoln]

Find out the make and model.

 

[AstroManLuca]

Originally posted by: toyota

Originally posted by: TidusZ
Unless that psu is also jerry-rigged to a space heater or something, in addition to the rest of the pc components, I'd bet good money that his psu will handle the card just fine.

it could easily be a thermaltake 430watt psu which is the biggest joke out there for that wattage rating. it only has 18amps on the 12v which is less than most 300 watt units.

Yes, if it's a Thermaltake, then I would say upgrade the PSU first before upgrading the video unless you're going for a low-end card. Otherwise, it should work okay.

The sad part is that Thermaltake has like a million positive reviews on NewEgg from people who don't know any better.

 

[Aolish]

Originally posted by: toyota
you dont power just the card so a question like that is useless without more info on the system and details on the psu. you have been here over 7 years and should know the drill by now.

Your absolutely right about that. LOL.. i can't believe i forgot to post his other system info to see what kind other load he is putting on his psu. Hey hey, its been quite sometime since i posted here. Just go look at my original post date and my last one. I'll post his other system specs asap!

 

[AstroManLuca]

Originally posted by: Aolish

Originally posted by: toyota
you dont power just the card so a question like that is useless without more info on the system and details on the psu. you have been here over 7 years and should know the drill by now.

Your absolutely right about that. LOL.. i can't believe i forgot to post his other system info to see what kind other load he is putting on his psu. Hey hey, its been quite sometime since i posted here. Just go look at my original post date and my last one. I'll post his other system specs asap!

I noticed that... you're an incredible lurker, wow! I think I have a similar thing on HardOCP, something like 5-6 years registered and under 200 posts.

But yeah, specs are needed. A 430W power supply could be anything from a solid unit that can easily power any single video card to a piece of crap that barely cracks 300W in actual use. If it's something like Thermaltake, Powmax, Raidmax, or any number of other brands, it's the latter.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: AstroManLuca
A 430W power supply could be anything from a solid unit that can easily power any single video card to a piece of crap that barely cracks 300W in actual use. If it's something like Thermaltake, Powmax, Raidmax, or any number of other brands, it's the latter.

IMO Thermaltake is better than the others. While the particular Thermaltake 430W units don't put out much in the way of +12v power, that's not from being "crappy" but from being an older design.

Those other brands are... just plain crappy.

 

[shabby]

I ran an 8800gt on a 350 and 420watt psu without any problems.