GTX280 PSU requirements

[cmdrdredd]

If I get a new monitor and want more performance than my 512MB 4870 offers I was thinking of just going all the way to a GTX280. Problem is, my PSU probably is too old/weak for it. It only has 2x 6pin PCI-E connectors, no 8 pin. SO I could in theory use the adapters for it, but then my +12 only has 36Amps so it got me thinking. Would I have to replace my PSU as well if I do feel like a GTX280 is what I want to move to?



Moved to PSU forum.

Video Mod BFG10K.

 

[masteryoda34]

I would think a 600W should run 1 GTX 280 fine. Especially a decent brand like Seasonic.

 

[aatf510]

Your PSU will have no problem running 4870 1GB CF which supposively drains more power than a single GTX 280.

 

[jellyrole]

I ran my 280 with a Corsair 550w.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Hrm, even overclocked as it is with a DVDRW, Blu-Ray drive, & 3x HDDs?

My concern is the PSU becoming the weak link for the entire setup.

 

[blackangst1]

Rails look great

Min 5V Max 5V Min 12V Max 12V
Idle 5.02V 5.03V 12.02V 12.03V
Load 5.02V 5.02V 11.96V 12.03V

And I dont know how reliable it is but this review favors it. A couple highlights:
"The wattage stats on the side leave little left to be desired. You have to build one monster machine to be able to push this power supply beyond what it can put out."
"Using the multimeter, I found the rails to be extremely stable. At the worst, the 12V barely budged by a minuscule 0.5% during load. Stable voltages improved overall system stability and especially helps overclocking."
"The Seasonic S12-600 is an amazing engineering feat. The S12-600 would hold up under loads that would literally kill other power supplies. In my hundreds of hours with a Seasonic power supplies on an overclocked system, I have not experienced one crash that I could attribute to the power supply. It is an almost inaudible elegant power supply which was designed and built with quality in mind. If you are building a non compromising dream machine, this is your power supply."


looks :thumbsup: to me.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: blackangst1
Rails look great

Min 5V Max 5V Min 12V Max 12V
Idle 5.02V 5.03V 12.02V 12.03V
Load 5.02V 5.02V 11.96V 12.03V

And I dont know how reliable it is but this review favors it. A couple highlights:
"The wattage stats on the side leave little left to be desired. You have to build one monster machine to be able to push this power supply beyond what it can put out."
"Using the multimeter, I found the rails to be extremely stable. At the worst, the 12V barely budged by a minuscule 0.5% during load. Stable voltages improved overall system stability and especially helps overclocking."
"The Seasonic S12-600 is an amazing engineering feat. The S12-600 would hold up under loads that would literally kill other power supplies. In my hundreds of hours with a Seasonic power supplies on an overclocked system, I have not experienced one crash that I could attribute to the power supply. It is an almost inaudible elegant power supply which was designed and built with quality in mind. If you are building a non compromising dream machine, this is your power supply."


looks :thumbsup: to me.

Yes, but I'm looking at the amps on the +12v rail which seem low for what the GTX280 needs. no?

 

[theAnimal]

Your system with a GTX280 will probably use 300W max.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: theAnimal
Your system with a GTX280 will probably use 300W max.

Why does everyone think in terms of watts...

I'm talking about the amperage rating on the +12v rails.

Does anyone understand this concept?

 

[dguy6789]

Your current psu could probably run gtx280 sli.

http://www.anandtech.com/casec...us/showdoc.aspx?i=3413

/thread.

 

[aatf510]

Originally posted by: cmdrdredd
Why does everyone think in terms of watts...

I'm talking about the amperage rating on the +12v rails.

Does anyone understand this concept?

Yes. We do understand, and 36A on the +12v rail is plenty for a single card system with a highly overclocked Quad.

Unfortunately, you seem like one of the victims that has fallen for those marketing campaigns by the power supplies manufacturer and believe that everyone should be looking for a 1000w Power supply with 50A+ on multiple +12v rail!

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: toattett

Originally posted by: cmdrdredd
Why does everyone think in terms of watts...

I'm talking about the amperage rating on the +12v rails.

Does anyone understand this concept?

Yes. We do understand, and 36A on the +12v rail is plenty for a single card system with a highly overclocked Quad.

Unfortunately, you seem like one of the victims that has fallen for those marketing campaigns by the power supplies manufacturer and believe that everyone should be looking for a 1000w Power supply with 50A+ on multiple +12v rail!

No, but on the mnufacturer's site, EVGA for example they say a 550w PSU with 40A on the +12 is recommended. That's what my question was based on. Their claimed requirements. If it would work then ok no problem, no harm done. I know I don't need 1k watts of power, but the amps on the rails is something i was not sure of.

So thanks for clearing it up anyhow. I'll evaluate the need for a faster card when I get my new monitor and go from there.

 

[jonnyGURU]

36A on the +12V rail (432W) isn't a lot for a 600W power supply. That said, the 40A that the card manufacturer recommends is taking into consideration two things: 1. That your PSU may be crap and 2. Worst case scenario build, which yours is not.

Your PSU should be fine. But if you upgrade your platform or get a second graphics card, do consider a more up to date PSU.

 

[imported_Scoop]

Not even touching the PSU issue. Just saying that going from 4870 to gtx 280 doesn't make any sense. Unless you get it for free.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: toattett
Unfortunately, you seem like one of the victims that has fallen for those marketing campaigns by the power supplies manufacturer and believe that everyone should be looking for a 1000w Power supply with 50A+ on multiple +12v rail!

Heh, I would never buy a kilowatt PSU that only gave 50A +12v. :evil:

 

[nyker96]

last I read the official recommendation is:
GTX 280 = 40AMP on 12V rail
GTX 260 = 35AMP on 12V rail

 

[theAnimal]

Originally posted by: cmdrdredd

Originally posted by: theAnimal
Your system with a GTX280 will probably use 300W max.

Why does everyone think in terms of watts...

I'm talking about the amperage rating on the +12v rails.

Does anyone understand this concept?

So assume it's all 12V. 300/12=25A.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

maybe a pcpc 750 or corsir 620hx

 

[Fjive]

Originally posted by: nyker96
last I read the official recommendation is:
GTX 280 = 40AMP on 12V rail
GTX 260 = 35AMP on 12V rail

In that case, I guess a Corsair hx520 (with 40a) is enough for the 280 ?

 

[Arcanedeath]

I know someone who is running a 4870 X2 with one of those Seasonic S12 PSU's w/out issue, now admitidly the rest of his system isn't that power hungry but I belive even a Gen 1 S12 600watt PSU should power any single graphics card based system w/out issue.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: Scoop
Not even touching the PSU issue. Just saying that going from 4870 to gtx 280 doesn't make any sense. Unless you get it for free.

If you want to run 1900x1200 in newer games (far cry 2, fallout 3) with AA and AF on then it makes a lot of sense. a 512MB 4870 has a rough time of it when you crank up the AA at high rez.

Anyway I purchased a Corsair TX750 from newegg. $105 - $35 MIR = $70

Not bad. Now I don't even have to worry about the PSU being an issue. It has 60A available on the +12v rail.