OOPS...is my psu enough?

scheibler1

Banned
Feb 17, 2008
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I got an antec earthwatts 380w psu. Here is my system...im worried about the video card:

MSI 8800GT OC
Intel E2180
Gigabyte IP35-DS3L
G.Skill 2x1gb pc6400
1 120mm rear case fan
2 80mm case fans
1 7200rpm ide hdd
1 dvd-rw sata drive
 

Magusigne

Golden Member
Nov 21, 2007
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Originally posted by: scheibler1
I got an antec earthwatts 380w psu. Here is my system...im worried about the video card:

MSI 8800GT OC
Intel E2180
Gigabyte IP35-DS3L
G.Skill 2x1gb pc6400
1 120mm rear case fan
2 80mm case fans
1 7200rpm ide hdd
1 dvd-rw sata drive

Your REEEAAALLLY pushing it.

I'm pretty sure everything will work, its just the fact that the MSI card will underclock itself if power starved. I'm thinking that your PSU should be upgraded to EA-500.

In "theory" you should be fine, but you have little to no headroom at all, and under load I would think your sacrificing some performance.
 

Lazlo Panaflex

Platinum Member
Jun 12, 2006
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Uhh..this should be in the power supplies section..anyway, I disagree with Powernick...that PS is just fine for your rig. I recently built a system for someone with that PS running a Q6600, 2x750GB WD hard drives, 2 Optical drives, etc. I've seen others around here running Quads, 8800's etc. on that as well. No worries.
 

Tempered81

Diamond Member
Jan 29, 2007
6,374
1
81
nick's right though, you're pushing it. However, as stated above, it should still work.
 

scheibler1

Banned
Feb 17, 2008
333
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will there be any way to tell if my system is power starved? The only reason I got this psu is b/c I found the antec nsk 4480 for $60 shipped and jumped on it
 

Quiksilver

Diamond Member
Jul 3, 2005
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Originally posted by: oldhoss
Originally posted by: Quiksilver
Originally posted by: oldhoss
You could try the Power supply calc:

http://www.extreme.outervision.com/PSUEngine

highly inaccurate and broken link.

Whatchoo talkin about, Willis? Is there something better? Please advise.

your link isn't right should be
http://www.extreme.outervision.../psucalculatorlite.jsp

and its inaccurate anyway, it always gives you a higher wattage than what you really need and TBH most people dont even need anything higher than 550W. (unless of course you have a 2900 series cards or 8800GTX's in SLI then you'd want 600-650W).
 

Demoth

Senior member
Apr 1, 2005
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The Antec Earthwatts 380 puts out more on the 12V rails then most no name 600 watt PSUs that many people are running on generic systems. Not only does it put out a good amount on the 12V rails, but it has a nice efficiency and is decent quality. There have been reported quality issues, but if you get a good one, it will hold up problem free.

Without a doubt, the best PSU that can be sometimes found shipped for under $20.
 

Lazlo Panaflex

Platinum Member
Jun 12, 2006
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71
My apologies for not linking to it directly.

I digress...yes, the recommended load setting is a bit unrealistic (90%), but that can be adjusted. In any event, the earthwatts series are highly efficient & quiet. No, I don't work for Antec ;) You got a nice deal on that case, scheibler.