Old PSU still applicable to modern GPUs?

denixen

Junior Member
Jan 6, 2009
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0
0
I have an old 420w OCZ PowerStream that has been running since 05. Recently my 6600gt has died within my old system. I was wondering if this PSU can still power something like an Ati 4830? Or possibly a 9800GT? The psu has only one 12v rail with 30amps powering it. I'm concerned about capacitor aging but I assume that my old PSU is built extremely well. Damn thing cost me around $140 at the time.
 

Lonyo

Lifer
Aug 10, 2002
21,938
6
81
I had a 3 year old Enermax 420w with 29A max on 2 12v rails powering an HD4850 (+A64 4200+/3 drives etc), and now I have a Corsair CX400 (400w, 30A on 12v) powering the same HD4850 (+E5200@3.3GHz/3drives etc).
420w should be enough for an HD4830.

 

denixen

Junior Member
Jan 6, 2009
2
0
0
Thanks for the response. I wasn't too sure if my old PSU could put out the power that it use to. It is a well known brand and well built, so I assume that the life expectancy of such a product would be very long. However, I think using something like a 9800gt on an old 420w PSU might be risking it. I'll probably stick with an Hd4830. Hopefully I'll get a few more solid years out of it.
 

OCNewbie

Diamond Member
Jul 18, 2000
7,596
25
81
I believe the 4830 uses the same if not more power than a 9800GT. Either way though, 420w should be plenty for either card as they are not overly power-hungry.
 

yh125d

Diamond Member
Dec 23, 2006
6,886
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Yeah, I used to run a 8800GT (same as 9800) with an overclocked C2D, 4 dimms, a couple hard drives, and about 6 120mm fans off a 2 year old FSP 400w so you should be fine
 

Zepper

Elite Member
May 1, 2001
18,998
0
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About the only things to go bad (over time) on PSUs are electrolytic caps and fans. Quality caps should give you 7 to 10 years, while fans can go at any time - luckily those are easier to replace than caps. Modern CPUs and vid cards, etc. are driven off the +12V rail, so you want the total power distribution of your PSU to be tilted toward the 12V rail - maybe 60% to the 12 and 30 to 40% on the 3.3 and 5 combined. If the exhaust air of your PSU doesn't get too warm, then you're probably safe for some years yet.

.bh.