Antec Truepower 2.0 430W enough for 4870?

[Lazzo]

Hi,

I am looking into purchasing a 1GB 4870 to replace my 8800GT. I would prefer to buy a 5770, but my motherboard is not compatible with the 5770 from what I understand (Asus A8r32-MVP Deluxe). Yeah, I'm still running a good ol' socket 939!

Here is my current setup:

Opteron 170 o'clocked to 2.6 at 1.35V
Asus A8r32-MVP Deluxe Motherboard
2GB PC3200 (4x512 sticks)
Audigy X-Fi Gamer
NX8800GT 512MB
Powered by Antec 430W Truepower 2.0

Now I know the power for the hungry 4870 comes from the 12v rail, and this particular PSU has 2 12v rails for a max of 34a (408W). See below specs for PSU.

OUTPUT
+3.3V +5V +12V1 +12V2 +5V SB -12V
Max. Load 28.0A* 35A* 17A* 17A 2.0A 1.0A
Min. Load 0.5A 0.5A 0.4A 0.4A 0A 0A
Load Reg. ±3% ±3% ±3% ±3% ±5% ±5%
Ripple V(p-p) 50mV 50mV 120mV 120mV 50mV 120mV
* +5V, +3.3V, +12V1, 12V2 maximum output 410 Watts max.

So it looks like I have enough room with the combined 12v rails. Any idea if the 4870 will run ok with the PSU in this setup?

thanks!

 

[HOOfan 1]

actually the combined 12V on the Truepower II is 31A

It will probably run fine...but the Truepower II is an old old PSU...and was not known to last very long...unfortunately it is the secondary capacitors that usually failed...which can lead to a silent death for some of your components.

 

[Lazzo]

silent death..... that cant be good.

Im still trying to decide if I should even purchase the card, and if I also have to get a new PSU that would probably sway me away from upgrading.

 

[HOOfan 1]

not sure with what you have now that an upgrade would be worthwhile anyway...unless you upgrade the motherboard and processor and RAM as well

 

[Lazzo]

Not looking to upgrade the entire system just yet.... trying to hold out for a year or so. Are you thinking the CPU will be a bottleneck?

 

[HOOfan 1]

More than likely yes

To tell the truth, if you are looking at an incremental upgrade...the videocard is probably the last component I would upgrade.

 

[Lazzo]

Appreciate your help HOOfan. I think I'll try to squeeze a bit more out of my current system rather than throw any more money at it. I'm able to run recent games at fairly high settings with playable framerates, but that probably wont last too much longer.

 

[kalrith]

Not looking to upgrade the entire system just yet.... trying to hold out for a year or so. Are you thinking the CPU will be a bottleneck?

I think it will be. If I were you, I'd just spend $60 on a used 4850 512MB. It likely won't perform that much slower given your cpu, and it will draw less power and cost less money, which will be two nice bonuses.

Then, when you do a full system upgrade, you can sell the 4850 for probably $30-40 and recoup half your money.

 

[Lazzo]

not a bad idea kalrith - thanks for the suggestion! I'll sniff around the FS/FT forums when I have some time.

 

[kalrith]

not a bad idea kalrith - thanks for the suggestion! I'll sniff around the FS/FT forums when I have some time.

ebay's got some good deals too: example1 & example2. FWIW, I picked up a 4870 512MB for $85 from the FS forums as my stop-gap card until the gpu market is better (hopefully it gets better and not worse).

Edit: Those ebay deals are obviously over, but they're to show the prices you can get on a 4850 512MB. Getting an XFX card with a transferrable warranty would be a nice bonus.

 

[Lazzo]

very nice! Im checking out some benchmarks now....

 

[Stefan Payne]

And don't forget the PSU...

You don't need a kilowatt monster, a decent 400W unit should be sufficient.
Like a Seasonic S12II-430W (Bronze)

 

[Lazzo]

yeah still searching both PSU's and cards....

found that newegg has a combo deal on an ASUS 4870 1Gb with a corsair 650w PSU for $190 total after combo savings and rebates. VERY tempting.... I could use the PSU in a future build too (maybe). Sheesh why is it that every time I even think about upgrading I end up pricing stuff I didnt originally want!

 

[kalrith]

I don't think you'd need a new psu with a 4850 512MB. They aren't that power hungry. According to AT's 4850 review, it consumes 27W more at load than your 8800GT. A 4870 consumes 78W more at load than your 8800GT.

Now, if your psu is showing signs of failing, then by all means purchase a new one. However, I think you'll be fine as long as you stick with a 4850.

And I'm not seeing that $190 4870-psu combo. I see one for $202 after shipping and a MIR. That's a wee bit over $60. Also, if you're going to spend that much, you might as well get the psu for $80 shipped from Newegg and a 5770 1GB for $130 shipped from the FS forum (it's $132 w/ insurance...I was thinking about getting one, but I couldn't see spending 55% more for a card that's ~10% faster than the 4870 512MB I bought).

 

[Lazzo]

Hi Kalrith - I didnt add shipping to the combo deal; you are correct that the total with shipping is $202.54. Also, I would only buy the new PSU if I went with the 4870, no need for a new PSU with the 4850 as you stated.
My PSU is working fine with no signs of failing.
As for the 5770 - thats the card I want but all forums I have seen have stated the card will not work with my motherboard (Asus A8r32-MVP Deluxe). PC wont even post with that card. I have seen this in the forum here, as well as on Asus's website and that hardware guy we know as Tom
Still havent pulled the trigger on anything, so I appreciate the info!

BTW - sweet deal on your 4870....

 

[kalrith]

Oh, right. I forgot about your mobo's problems with the 5770. If you're getting a new psu, then you can probably find a 4890 for $130 shipped if you shop around. That would be faster than both the 4870 and 5770. Just be sure to research the specific 4890 model to make sure it's not one of them from a bad batch.

Edit: Of course, I'm not sure how much faster a 4890 would be over a 4870, and getting that one new would be nice. However, the 4890 would be nice for when you upgrade, unless you're going to upgrade the video card at that time regardless.

 

[Lazzo]

excellent advice. You really should be getting paid for this

 

[kalrith]

excellent advice. You really should be getting paid for this

I'll PM you my paypal addy

Edit: And BTW, I am getting paid...not necessarily for this, but this is what I'm doing while my work is paying me to maintain our systems (which I do a great job at, so I don't feel bad goofing off sometimes).

 

[Rifter]

4890 would be a great option, even faster than the 5770. However then you will definatly need a PSU upgrade, expecially if you want to OC the card. But the PSU will need to be upgrade when you build a new system anyways so it wouldnt be a waste and would make your future system upgrade that much cheaper.

 

[Stefan Payne]

I don't think you'd need a new psu with a 4850 512MB

I think he does 'cause his actual PSU should be in a really bad shape, so that damages to components may occour due to failed (secondary) caps, ripple will be (way) out of spec.

So he should replace the PSU, a from a 8800GT to a HD4800 series card isn't that big of a step, so I won't buy one and save money for a HD5850 or 70.