How much will this tax my PSU?

[CreasianDevaili]

Howdy,

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817163111

That psu i purchased back in 2006. It had wonderful reviews, and while abit pricey, it has served me very well. However with this new build, I am wondering if i will be on the verge or not and what upgrades I would have left if i am not on the edge.

Cooler Master CM690 with 7 120mm fans, 4 on a sunbeam controller
e8400 w/ Freezer pro 7
Gigabyte x38-DS4
2x1gb XMS2 DDR2-800 Ram
8800GT 512 OC <modest factory OC>
2x WD 7200 SATA3.0gb/s SE16 HDD
1x Lite-on DVD-Player/CD Burner combo IDE
1x Lite-on DVD/CD Burner combo SATA
Microsoft Digital Media Pro usb keyboard
Logitech G5 usb mouse
Cheap Ass dinky printer
Verizon USB720 EVDO Broadband modem


Oc is planned for a 3.6 and nothing past, if i even decide to go for 3.6GHz. My place I let just run about 15c <yes.. i like the cold> during winter to conserve on my electric bill <I live in ohio> and 24c'ish during summer. So no insanely hot ambient tempts.

So you think my psu is going to still stand the test of time for it's system? Or am I running against the wall of dangerious stressing of the psu?

 

[jonnyGURU]

With a single 8800GT, you're not even "close to the wall."

You can run a single 8800GT off of a 500W. You happen to have a good 560W.

 

[CreasianDevaili]

I hope so. I spent weeks researching the PSU back in 2006 for my needs, and then beyond. To be honest is was the most expensive peice in my entire system aside from the overpriced gouged Ram. I wanted it to survive the first and at least a second build.

Just for future considerations, do you think if the graphics card was a 3870x2 that it would not be able to handle the load? I just ask so i know. I have never tried to push the limits of my system and my builds were seperated between 2000 and 2006.

I know i am told watts are important, but the amps coming off the 12v rail is even more important. However I am unsure how "close" i want to get to the 38 amps for the gpu before i am starting to risk a burnout.


P.S. Also..jonnyGURU, you were one of the reviewers that convinced me to buy this psu. Just about every enthusiast forum had you and this psu linked together. Dunno if that means anything but thought I would say thanks for getting me to buy this solid power supply.

 

[MarcVenice]

You should still be fine with a HD3870 X2, reviews showed PEAKS of 400-430w when running both 3dmark06 and orthos, and in anandtechs review it used 290w when playing BioShock. So if we assume the worst, 400w or so, you will be loading your PSU at 70%, which is a 'little' high, but not to high, and it's the worst case scenario. How old is it btw ? Capacitor degradation might influence things as well.

 

[CreasianDevaili]

It has been in operation for 13 months. However I do not leave my pc on all day. Honestly, if it stays on for longer than 6 hours its abnormal save for the gaming weekends. Ambient temps have always been around 25c or under, and I have always taken good care of it.

I am also the type to unplug during all thunder storms <I live in the sticks> and whenever I work in my case I turn off the power button, wait for the orange light to shut off, and then unplug. That might not matter but I do my best not to abuse it.

I am running it in my amd system as I am putting together the intel system. It runs fine, and have had no issues with windows or anything.

 

[mountcarlmore]

this psu will be fine. believe it or not, depending on your last system, this system might actually draw less power than your old one...