Is an Enermax 535w enough for HD4870 or GTX260?

chelhxi

Senior member
Sep 11, 2008
252
2
81
Hi. I am currently looking at a new video card (sold off my 8800 gt). I have an Enermax FMAII 535w with dual 22a 12v rails. Would this be sufficient for a single HD4870 or GTX260? My system is...

Core 2 Duo 6600
Asus P5B
4x1 Gb samsung ddr2-667
250 Gb Hd
DVD burner
and four 12 cm case fans.

What do you guys think? I've looked at ATI's website, my ps is approved for 4870, but it is a couple years old I don't want to run it at it's limit. Can't find too much official info on GTX260 requirements.

If necessary, I will step down to a 9800 GTX+ 512mb.

Thanks people.
 

chelhxi

Senior member
Sep 11, 2008
252
2
81
Thanks for reply. I just checked the side of the power supply, and it shows only a total of 38a for the the two 12v rails combines, though 22a for each (?) 38a seems to be the mininum that is recommended for these new cards. Cutting it too close?
 

Foxery

Golden Member
Jan 24, 2008
1,709
0
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Given the rest of your components, 535 watts leaves you with plenty of headroom. (e.g. to overclock the CPU or whatever)
 

Synosure

Member
Apr 6, 2008
28
0
0
I have a similar setup currently with an older antec 500w psu and it works fine.(I'll be upgrading it soon)
Core 2 Quad 6600 @ 3.5
Asus P5Q Pro
2x2 Gb ddr2
500 Gb Hd
DVD burner
Radeon 4870
three 12 cm one 14 cm
 

CP5670

Diamond Member
Jun 24, 2004
5,508
586
126
Originally posted by: chelhxi
Thanks for reply. I just checked the side of the power supply, and it shows only a total of 38a for the the two 12v rails combines, though 22a for each (?) 38a seems to be the mininum that is recommended for these new cards. Cutting it too close?

Nah, those requirements are only there to cover low quality units. A typical system with these cards will use more like 20-23A in reality.
 

chelhxi

Senior member
Sep 11, 2008
252
2
81
Thanks guys. I actually went ahead and picked up an evga 9800 gtx + sc, because it was so cheap (180 canadian at futureshop). I'm going to try it out with Crysis Warhead, if it's not up to snuff I'll switch it out for a 4870 (or GTX260 depending what's cheaper)