PSU powerful enough for X1900 XT 256MB?

[Teslacoiled]

Hi all,

I want to buy the Sapphire X1900 XT 256MB. But I am concerned about my PSU, especially the amps on the 12V rails. I have a Fortron Blue Storm 400W. Link to Specs

If not, can I just plug in a 2nd PSU? Or will a more powerful one be better?

And the last question I have: The card has 2xDVI. Will there be a loss in quality if I use a DVI-to-VGA adapter to connect it to my monitor?

I won't be overclocking the video card.

System:
9npa+ Ultra mobo
A64 3200+
1GB RAM
Audigy 2 ZS sound card
1xBenQ DW1650 DVD-RW
1xSeagate 250 Gigs SATA2

Thanks for the help.

 

[NoStateofMind]

There are alot of Fortron Source lovers here, but let me tell you about my experience. You can read it here. I would recommend you get something more powerful (maybe the one for sale in my sig?). Or get OCZ Gamer Xtreme, PCP&C. Just not worth losing your whole system because of a lack of power. Good luck in whatever you decide

 

[Pabster]

I'd recommend a more powerful unit as well.

As for DVI->VGA, yes, of course you lose quality. DVI is a superior (digital) connection. VGA is analog.

 

[Teslacoiled]

So there's no chance the card is going to run on a 15A+14A (12V1+12V2)? (I don't know if the 2 rails here can just be added, I couldn't find anything about that in the specs)

And what about that dual PSU I asked about earlier? I'm willing to do it if the system will be stable and there'll be no danger my whole system will fry! Plus it's interesting! And a lot cheaper than buying a high quality powerful PSU. ;-)
The thing is that I live in Kiev, Ukraine, and there's no way I'll find that OCZ. Plus the money I decided to pay for the x1900xt is almost too much as it is.

 

[moonboy403]

i've seen a person running an x1900 xt on an Antec 380w and doing just fine, but i doubt you'd wanna risk anything here.

the OCZ Gamer Xtreme can be had for 99 - 15 rebate from monarchcomputer if you're interested in that

 

[akshayt]

No, it won't do.

 

[Ulfhednar]

It will do fine, akshayt as usual is talking bullcrap and as moonboy said these run fine on sub-400W PSUs with the rails and efficiency of that PSU.

 

[Teslacoiled]

Thank you for the replies! I guess I'll just ask in the cases/cooling forum about the dual PSU thingy if I don't find anything about it with google/forum search.
Tony.

 

[Captante]

While 400 watts is on the low side for a system with an X1900XT, wether or not you'll be ok depends on the other components you have in your system & if they overload the +12v rail ... considering the specs of that psu I'd say give it a try, but if you experience any instability or lockups it should be the first thing you look at replacing.

 

[akshayt]

you are taking a chance of damaging your GPU & maybe rest of the system as well.

 

[Ulfhednar]

Jesus, stop with the scaremongering already akshayt. You're a total spazz.

 

[moonboy403]

as i've stated, it's best to follow ati's recommendation but then a quality sub 400w psu would do OKAY as well

 

[Hellotalkie]

Thanks for the replys. I would upgrade my psu but I just got this psu about 5 months ago. Anyways the psu seems like its holding up.

 

[Teslacoiled]

Originally posted by: cr2250
Thanks for the replys. I would upgrade my psu but I just got this psu about 5 months ago. Anyways the psu seems like its holding up.

LOL @ cr2250 :laugh:

What do you mean by all this? Posted in the wrong thread, I guess?

Anyway thanks again everyone. I'm going to try the x1900xt with the fortron. Anyway I can see how much power it's using? And I'd like to detect how stable it'll be running. Any way to do that using a multimeter of some sort? Or will the latter cost me as much as a new PSU?

 

[legcramp]

i'll be fine.... psshhh psu requirement are overrated IMO. no flame please.

When the 6800Ultra first came out, and my main computer w/ psu I didnt have in my hand, I ran that thing on a crappy Emachine PSU.. 300watt I think.. and it ran flawlessly....

as long as you dont put in some cheap crappy PSU that has no name, and the psu you have has decent amps, it should be fine. Fortron is supposely a good brand and bang for your bucks, it has dual rails, so I am assuming those rails would add up to at least 25a on the 12v.. that should be enough. Otherwise, a new psu would not cost that much...

 

[Ulfhednar]

Originally posted by: RIFLEMAN007
as long as you dont put in some cheap crappy PSU that has no name, and the psu you have has decent amps, it should be fine. Fortron is supposely a good brand and bang for your bucks, it has dual rails, so I am assuming those rails would add up to at least 25a on the 12v.. that should be enough. Otherwise, a new psu would not cost that much...

Quoted for truth.