Power Supply for new videocard like HD4870 level

[faye]

Hi all,

I am using 7900GT top(Asus) for a year or two, i think it is time to upgrade the card.

I am thinking of getting a HD4870 or HD4850.
However how big does the Power Supply need to be?
I am now using Antec 500w
Is it sufficient for the new card?

btw, how many watts is my current card (7900gt) drawing?

Thanks

 

[epphllps]

500 Watt or greater power supply with two 75W 6-pin PCI Express power connectors recommended (600 Watt and four 6-pin connectors for ATI CrossFireX? technology in dual mode) for the 4870

450 Watt or greater power supply with 75 Watt 6-pin PCI Express power connector recommended (550 Watt and two 6-pin connectors for ATI CrossFireX? technology in dual mode) for the 4850

 

[Sylvanas]

I think you're current Antec would be fine. Antec make quality PSUs (why I bought my recent Quattro 850!) you would only need to be wary of using a 500w PSU with newer cards if it some generic low quality brand you never really hear of.

 

[faye]

Mine is a Antec Neo HE 500w PSU.

my 7900GT top is using a 6pin or 4pin PCI-E plug.
is it capable for HD4870?

just wondering, is the PUS plenty enough for this card? or just merely enough?

anyone knows how many power a 7900gt top draws?

 

[Sylvanas]

Originally posted by: faye
Mine is a Antec Neo HE 500w PSU.

my 7900GT top is using a 6pin or 4pin PCI-E plug.
is it capable for HD4870?

If you have 2 6pin PCI-E connectors you should be fine. If not, the 4870 comes with a Molex--> 6Pin PCI-E adapter anyway.

 

[faye]

i see anandtech write the power consumption is 200w and 230w for 4870.
If a PCI-E power plug only draws 75w each, then it won't be taking this much of power at all.
How many PCI-E power plug does 4870 needs?

 

[flashbacck]

Originally posted by: Sylvanas

Originally posted by: faye
Mine is a Antec Neo HE 500w PSU.

my 7900GT top is using a 6pin or 4pin PCI-E plug.
is it capable for HD4870?

If you have 2 6pin PCI-E connectors you should be fine. If not, the 4870 comes with a Molex--> 6Pin PCI-E adapter anyway.

Is there anything special about those 6-pin connectors? Like they're suppose to be rated higher or such?

 

[bryanW1995]

Originally posted by: faye
i see anandtech write the power consumption is 200w and 230w for 4870.
If a PCI-E power plug only draws 75w each, then it won't be taking this much of power at all.
How many PCI-E power plug does 4870 needs?

that's not just for the card, it could be for the entire system however.

watts are nice but the real measure of a quality psu is the amps available on the 12v rail(s). how many amps does your psu have?

 

[faye]

its from www.antec.com - Neo HE 500

Output Voltage
Load Range Reg. Ripple Noise
Min Max
+5V 0.3A 17.0A ±3% 50 50
+12V1 1.0A 17.0A ±3% 120 120
+12V2 1.0A 17.0A ±3% 120 120
+12V3 1.0A 17.0A ±3% 120 120
-12V 0A 0.8A ±6% 120 120
+5VSB 0A 2.5A ±3% 50 50
+3.3V 0.5A 23.0A ±3% 50 50