Is my PSU good enough for a planned GFX card upgrade?

[allymonaco]

I recently built myself a brand new machine with the following spec:

Main System Spec:
Cooler Master Centurion Silver Case
Cooler Master 12v Back Vent Fan
ASUS P5B-E Motherboard (0706 BIOS)
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 @ 2.4ghz
Zalman 9500CU-LED + SpeedFan 4.31 (CPU fan at 50% inside XP)
2gb (2x1gb) Corsair XMS2-6400C4 TwinX CAS 4-4-4-12 RAM
Leadtek Geforce 6800 GT 256mb PCIe
Maxtor 300gb SATA II Hard Drive (C: )
Seagate 400gb SATA II Hard Drive (D: )
Plextor PX-716A ATA33 DVD-RW Drive (1.10 BIOS - E: )
SoundBlaster Audigy 4
OCZ 520w Modstream PSU
Windows XP Professional SP2

USB Devices:
Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0
Speedtouch 330 ADSL Modem
HP PSC 1215 all-in-one (not always on)
Intel Webcam (ancient - hardly use!)
Occasionally plug in 1gb Flash Drive
Occasionally plug in Sony WebCam to transfer photos

FireWire Devices:
Occasionally plug in Apple iPod 3g 40gb


Last night while doing some routine maintenance inside the machine I noticed that my OCZ power supply is actually the 450w model despite me thinking I had a 520w! OCZ owners will know that the 450/520 boxes and PSUs look pratically identical with only a tiny code on the side to differentiate them. Basically the store I ordered it from didn't pay attention when packing my order and sent me the weaker PSU. A bloody inconvenient cock up.

I am in the process of chasing the online store up but they have been making noises that since it's been in use for 3 weeks they might not replace it. I am very pissed off as I specifically ordered and paid for the 520w model! (NEVER use YOYOtech in the UK btw) Since I have no adequate spare PSUs I won't be able to return the 450w until I have received the 520w replacement from them FIRST and I'm really not sure they'll agree to that even though they are in the wrong. The best I might get is a partial refund :disgust:

My main question is, with the current above spec/load I plan to buy a pretty flash new GFX card (7950 or 8800, haven't decided yet) so if I am lumbered with the 450w version will it handle it all well? My system is running like a charm at the moment and I am petrified of putting too much of a load on it and damaging components.

I have no RAID setup and am not interested in overclocking at this point in time (The only thing I did was disable Intel Speedstep etc. in the P5B bios so the CPU is running at full stock speed) so I don't forsee any further load on the PSU except a modern high-end GFX card.

Will I be ok with 450w for my planned GFX card upgrade if the store decide to shaft me over a replacement?

 

[hardwareking]

Technically u would be able to run a 8800gts with a 450W PSU.But u'd be cutting it very fine.
And it may not be able to handle a surge in power draw.It can work but in my opinion ur being too risky.
Get the 520W model if u can.

 

[allymonaco]

Thanks for the reply!

I might not go for the 8800gts because I'm finding it tough to justify the cost right now but that is disappointing to know I'd be stretching the 450's capabilities.

Would the 450w be OK with a 512MB Leadtek 7950GT, Extreme, PCI-E? Or the non-Extreme?

I'm currently chasing up the 520w replacement but the store are very awkward to deal with. They just keep saying they'll get someone to ring me back but never do. They haven't responded to my email either, b*stards!

 

[tylerdustin2008]

You should be able to handle those 7950 cards. Just as long as you dont overclock.

 

[hardwareking]

450 should be fine for 7950 gts.But i would recommend that u get the powercolor radeon x1950 pro 512mb with arctic accelero x2 HSF.With some mild overclocking(20 mhz more on core and mem) it outperforms the 7950 gt and gives u a much quieter system and less power consuming system.
U should really get ur self the 520W PSU.U should get ur stuff from overclockers uk from next time.Their prices maybe a bit higher but their service is surely better.(atleast thast what i've heard)