How much GTX 460 OC can my PSU handle?

[Ken g6]

Yes, this is about both a video card and a power supply, but I don't want to change the power supply, so I think this belongs here.

System specs:
- Corsair 450W single-rail PSU
- C2Q9400@~3GHz - though I'd be willing to drop it for a good GPU
- 4GB DDR2
- 2 HDDs (one 7200RPM, one green 5400-7200)
- 1 DVD-RW.
- Intel 3100 graphics! D:
- Assume I'll be running the card (and the CPU) flat-out 24/7, for projects such as Folding@Home and PrimeGrid (see sig). I'll be programming for it with CUDA, so even if those apps don't use it flat-out yet, I might develop one that does.
- 2 80mm case fans, one blows air in, one out, not including the 120mm PSU fan.
- And finally, my OS is Linux, which I think means I can't change the overclock on a GTX 460! :\ Let me know if I'm wrong about that; but I think that means that if I get a pre-overclocked card, and my system can't handle it, I'll have to send the entire card back!

I assume, since standard GTX 460 768mb cards say their minimum requirement is a 450W PSU, that I can run one that's not overclocked. At the other end of the spectrum, this card, overclocked to 750MHz, looks really nice, but I'm not sure my PSU can take it. :hmm:

What do you think?

 

[VirtualLarry]

I would upgrade the PSU, or stick to a non-overclocked 460. It was documented that at max overclocks, a 460 can take 250W of power by itself.

 

[cusideabelincoln]

Any factory overclocked cards should be fine with your power supply.

You will potentially be in trouble if you manually overclock and overvolt the video card. If you don't do this, then everything should work without a hitch. The 450W Corsair is very good and it could probably even handle quite a bit of overclocking.

 

[Face2Face]

Use this calculator http://www.antec.outervision.com/

Divide the total wattage by 12. And that's how many AMPS you PSU would need for you to be 🙂

FYI-- Corsair always sandbags their PSU wattage ratings. @ 33AMPS on the single 12v rail -- that is as much as most(Cheaper) 500-600 watt PSU's.

 

[Ken g6]

Thanks for the advice! Nice to know I have a good PSU. 🙂

I think I just found the answer to my other question, changing GPU clock speed in Linux. It's a little ugly, but I guess I can do it if I have to.