Radeon x1950xt

[AFurryReptile]

I just bought a Radeon x1950xt 256mb from newegg, and only now after receiving it does the box tell me that I need to have 30 amps on the 12 volt rail. I currently have a psu meeting the wattage requirements(585 watts) but the 12v rail only puts out 20 amps. On the box it says that it recommends 30 amps, but it does not say it is a requirement. Will running the card with only 20 amps cause any damage? Should I upgrade the psu? If so, what would you guys recommend, for as cheap as possible?

 

[Matthias99]

...where in God's name did you find a 585W PSU that only has 20A on its 12V rail? Are you sure it doesn't have multiple 12V rails with 20A each?

 

[AFurryReptile]

Oops, my bad... that's what I meant... just forgot to write it down. Here it is... I've had it for a while, it is kind of old.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications...ails.asp?EdpNo=1828919&Tab=11&NoMapp=0

 

[Matthias99]

Originally posted by: AFurryReptile
Oops, my bad... that's what I meant... just forgot to write it down. Here it is... I've had it for a while, it is kind of old.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications...ails.asp?EdpNo=1828919&Tab=11&NoMapp=0

I am, to put it mildly, slightly skeptical of a "585W" PSU that retails for under $30.

However, if it can actually meet its claimed specs, it should be fine. Two 20A rails roughly equals one 40A rail, as long as you spread the load out over both of them. Any single-CPU, single-GPU system can easily be run on a ~400W PSU if it's not a piece of junk.

 

[AFurryReptile]

How would I spread the load over both rails? Do I need an adapter? Or would I just not use one rail? (I don't plan on any crossfire)

I was also skeptical of this psu, until I found that my friend had the same exact one, and his has been running for 2 years. Then I read 21 5 star reviews, and realized that this psu could probably hold me over for 6 months or so.

Thanks a lot for the help!

 

[Matthias99]

Originally posted by: AFurryReptile
How would I spread the load over both rails? Do I need an adapter? Or would I just not use one rail? (I don't plan on any crossfire)

Usually the MB/CPU are on one rail, and your other connectors are on the other rail. The documentation for the PSU should tell you.

However, some PSUs don't really differentiate, and some things I've read suggest that even with "multiple rails", it doesn't matter all that much where you plug things in (since all the rails may be getting fed by some earlier common components in the PSU).

I wouldn't worry about it.

I was also skeptical of this psu, until I found that my friend had the same exact one, and his has been running for 2 years.

...non sequitur? Crap PSUs will often work just fine for a while and then die, or work fine at lower or 'normal' workloads but not if you get anywhere near the peak ratings. But it's not like you will be putting anywhere near the peak rating on this thing either.

(Granted, I don't know that this is a bad PSU, but like I said, I'm skeptical of its quality given the price.)

Then I read 21 5 star reviews, and realized that this psu could probably hold me over for 6 months or so.

About 95% of PSU reviews out there are worthless. Most seem to judge the quality of a PSU by its ability to run some basic programs with 100-200W worth of stuff plugged in. Even worse are the ones that actually try to use software-based voltage monitors to show how 'stable' it is...

 

[AFurryReptile]

Thanks a ton Matthius! You've been a big help! I was really worrying about having to get another, more expensive psu and get it shipped here for Christmas. Thanks again, you've taught me a lot!

 

[Xdreamer]

Knowlege is power!

 

[BassBomb]

Orion is a pretty bad brand.

My cousin used a 450 Orion for awhile with his setup (mine plus 6800GT and Raptor) then it worked for awhile then would die randomly. They thought it was the video card but it was fine.

Turns out the psu could not handle the load and wouldn't let it boot anymore. They switched back to their old Enermax 350w and are running fine, now even have dual core cpu and it is 9000x better than Orion.

 

[dahuang1]

I'm using an antec 380 atx supply from my sonata case on my x1950xt and have to use an adapter since it doesn't have the pcie 6 pin plug for the card - since it's taking two 12v molex inputs (at 24amp rating) - does that equal 48amps on the 6 pin plug adapter? (ie - is it additive?)

 

[dahuang1]

bump - anyone?

 

[betasub]

No, not additive. The card's draw is nowhere near 24amps, let alone 2x24amps.

 

[dahuang1]

I know it sounds crazy - it seems like it could start my car. However, in ATI tool when running the stress test you see it run up to 30.0A and the box states it needs a 30a 12v rail.

 

[BassBomb]

Originally posted by: dahuang1
I know it sounds crazy - it seems like it could start my car. However, in ATI tool when running the stress test you see it run up to 30.0A and the box states it needs a 30a 12v rail.

It means it needs that, because other stuff will use the remaining Amperes like your CPU!
Now stop hijacking the OP's thread and make your own if you are so concerned.

 

[dahuang1]

Originally posted by: BassBomb

It means it needs that, because other stuff will use the remaining Amperes like your CPU!
Now stop hijacking the OP's thread and make your own if you are so concerned.

Now, why would I make a new thread when the OP's covered my question? The 12v rails have their own amp rating which shouldn't be using amps meant the atx rail for the mobo? Seems obvious to me, but I'm not an EE.

 

[BassBomb]

Originally posted by: dahuang1

Originally posted by: BassBomb

It means it needs that, because other stuff will use the remaining Amperes like your CPU!
Now stop hijacking the OP's thread and make your own if you are so concerned.

Now, why would I make a new thread when the OP's covered my question? The 12v rails have their own amp rating which shouldn't be using amps meant the atx rail for the mobo? Seems obvious to me, but I'm not an EE.

Neither am I, but it seems pretty clear. Its just like how a game might say it needs 2 GB of RAM. That does not mean it will use 2 GB as other applications need some of the RAM too.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: AFurryReptile
Thanks a ton Matthius! You've been a big help! I was really worrying about having to get another, more expensive psu and get it shipped here for Christmas. Thanks again, you've taught me a lot!

you might still have to change it

there is no wy to know for sure but to try it

that said ... i am running my x1950p with a 480w TT with 18a total on the 12v rail ... without *issues* UNLESS i try ti O/C it.