Current 550W 80PLUS sufficient for this hardware upgrade?

[Freddy1765]

I'm thinking about upgrading my computer within the next couple of months, from my XFX 5770 to a 7870, and my Phenom x4 925 to a 2500k.

I was just wondering if my PSU, an Arctic Cooling Fusion 550W rated at 80 PLUS and 550W peak, is sufficient to pull it off?

I'm a bit confused after looking at AnandTech's review of HiS IceQ 7870, because according to the review, total system power is 336 watt while the GPU is over clocked to 1200MHz Core and 5,4GHz memory, making me think a 550 PSU is more than enough? But is it? :/

 

[aaksheytalwar]

A quality 550 watts is sufficient but that brand isn't one I think. A Seasonic gold would do it

 

[lehtv]

^ Efficiency has absolutely nothing to do with it.

Freddy1765, 7870 uses about 130-140W at stock, 2500K uses 90W at stock. Combined +12V load in gaming is not going to be more than 200W (because the CPU is not fully stressed in games). So the rated wattage is more than enough.

But another question is whether your PSU is good quality. JonnyGuru reviewed of Arctic Cooling Fusion 550RF and gave a score of 5/10, stating "not a 550W unit as implied by model number". Details in the review show that its 3.3V output was out of specification limits already at 290W overall load. Not good.

Since you're already spending a ton of cash on new hardware, it isn't much to ask that you also replace your PSU with something worthy of its name. I'd recommend XFX 550W $50 AR if you're buying in the US. It is actually capable of providing clean power all the way up to its rated wattage (and beyond) so you can overclock all you want and have nothing to worry about.

 

[Freddy1765]

I'm pleased to announce the Fusion 550RF is not the one installed in my case!

Apparently there's a Fusion 550, a 550R and a 550RF. Mine is the 550, although I'm having difficulties finding the difference between 550 and 550R. According to arctic.com, 550R is with packaging and 550 is w/o packing, whatever that means. If there are no technical differences between the two, this review of the 550R should be relevant:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/2724/35

I hope this means my current PSU is good enough?

 

[aaksheytalwar]

Usually gold rated PSUs are higher quality as well and deliver more power (often much more than rated) compared to bronze or silver PSUs, not necessarily but almost always.

 

[Freddy1765]

Be that as it may, I'm not looking for the best PSU; I'm simply wondering whether my current is sufficiently powerful to run the hardware I want it to.
Given the review of the PSU (http://www.anandtech.com/show/2724/35), and knowing I can expect the system to pull ~340w (given the AT review of the 7870 I referred to in the beginning), is it reasonable to assume the PSU provides enough power?

 

[lehtv]

I hope this means my current PSU is good enough?

Well, that review does speak favorably of it. Realhardtechx says that the 550R and 550RF are discontinued, while the 550 and 550F are not. I don't know what the story behind that is... but it looks like you'd be fine with your current unit for the proposed upgrade.

 

[Freddy1765]

Thanks for your help, that's pretty much what I wanted to hear!