so how many Watts do I really need in a PSU?

[andylawcc]

I plan to get an Nforce570 or 590 mobo with Athlon Brisbane. (stock HSF)
One DVD writer, and PERHAPS another DVD-ROM (reader).
One SATA HDD, and PERHAPS another PATA HDD.
throw in a midrange PCI-E graphics card (ATI 2600 or Gefore8600)

would a 350watt PSU be enough?

newegg ftw!
http://educations.newegg.com/tool/psucalc/index.html

 

[HOOfan 1]

I would go with at least a 400W PSU...if you get a HD2600 or 8600 though I might even go for a 450W. I would thing something around 380W would be the minimum for that....then again if also depends on the band and voltage on the 12V rail(s)

 

[andylawcc]

newegg ftw!
http://educations.newegg.com/tool/psucalc/index.html

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Quality 350 or 380 will do the job. Check out Antec Earthwatts 380.

 

[HOOfan 1]

Wow newegg's PSU calculator suggests PSUs that are totally overkill...then again they want to sell those high profit margin PSUs I suppose

 

[John]

Originally posted by: SerpentRoyal
Quality 350 or 380 will do the job. Check out Antec Earthwatts 380.

I concur. :thumbsup: Last week I picked up an EarthWatts 430W for $25 AR @ Buy.com

 

[alcoholbob]

With a single processor, single video card, C2D and OCed 8800GTX setup, I got about 400W on the eXtreme PSU calculator. On newegg I got 600W. I assume the newegg one is completely exaggerating, or my computer has been under-performing on a Corsair HX520W.

 

[andylawcc]

Originally posted by: Astrallite
With a single processor, single video card, C2D and OCed 8800GTX setup, I got about 400W on the eXtreme PSU calculator. On newegg I got 600W. I assume the newegg one is completely exaggerating, or my computer has been under-performing on a Corsair HX520W.

Originally posted by: HOOfan 1
Wow newegg's PSU calculator suggests PSUs that are totally overkill...then again they want to sell those high profit margin PSUs I suppose

granted, Newegg understandably wants to sell bigger bucks PSU.

but at least now I got the idea: newegg said I need 408 Watts, so 380 will do.

(starts hunting for Antec and Cosair deals)

 

[21stHermit]

Originally posted by: andylawcc
newegg ftw!
http://educations.newegg.com/tool/psucalc/index.html

Great Link . . . Thanks :beer:

However, I did a run through, and for what I currently have in my Compaq sr5010nx with a 250W OEM PSU, the Egg calculator said 336W. My PC is running fine.

Hermit

 

[John]

The Newegg calc is a prime example of why most psu calcs are considered unreliable. It recommends 959W for C2Q/HE MB/8800GTX SLI/4GB DDR2/2 DVDRW/2 7200 HD's

 

[Spike]

Originally posted by: John
The Newegg calc is a prime example of why most psu calcs are considered unreliable. It recommends 959W for C2Q/HE MB/8800GTX SLI/4GB DDR2/2 DVDRW/2 7200 HD's

And you have all that running on an earthwatts?

 

[John]

No, that was just an example system using the psu calc. However a Corsair HX620W (or other quality psu) would be capable of powering it and still have some headroom leftover.

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: andylawcc
I plan to get an Nforce570 or 590 mobo with Athlon Brisbane. (stock HSF)
One DVD writer, and PERHAPS another DVD-ROM (reader).
One SATA HDD, and PERHAPS another PATA HDD.
throw in a midrange PCI-E graphics card (ATI 2600 or Gefore8600)

would a 350watt PSU be enough?

newegg ftw!
http://educations.newegg.com/tool/psucalc/index.html

Newegg's power calculator is for comic relief.

My setup has been: Quad-core Q6600, 4x1GB RAM, 4x500GB HDD, dual-tv-tuner card, nVidia 8800GTS/320, 9-in-1 usb cardreader, and a few sundry small stuff - DVD burner, mice, etc... on the Acer's stock 300W PSU. No issues.

Don't believe the hype with PSUs. Your system would likely take up a bit less power, so perhaps 200W might be used, and some amount above that for the PSU would be plenty.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: John

Originally posted by: SerpentRoyal
Quality 350 or 380 will do the job. Check out Antec Earthwatts 380.

I concur. :thumbsup: Last week I picked up an EarthWatts 430W for $25 AR @ Buy.com

Only deal I know of right now is the EarthWatts 430W for $40AR from Newegg. Just keep looking because the deals come and go.

 

[Marty502]

Originally posted by: dclive
My setup has been: Quad-core Q6600, 4x1GB RAM, 4x500GB HDD, dual-tv-tuner card, nVidia 8800GTS/320, 9-in-1 usb cardreader, and a few sundry small stuff - DVD burner, mice, etc... on the Acer's stock 300W PSU. No issues.

So you think my PSU could take a 8800GTS with no problems? (check the signature) I'm pretty certain my PSU is below the recommended amps on the 12V rail for the 8800GTS, but then I'd expect your PSU to be below that too. That, and my system is much smaller and less power consuming than yours...

What's the worst that could happen if my PSU didn't cut it for the GTS?

 

[dclive]

430W is way over what you'll actually consume with the 8800GTS - see Anandtech's reviews, most of which say in the range of 250-300W are actually all that's required (and my own experience and the kill-a-watt setup bears that out).

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: Marty502
What's the worst that could happen if my PSU didn't cut it for the GTS?

Instability, or your power supply fan running at high speed all the time. Or, if the PSU is really crappy, it could blow up.

430W is enough "wattage" but is it enough +12v? Also, is it enough quality? Those are the questions to answer.

 

[BradAtWork]

Originally posted by: dclive

Originally posted by: andylawcc
I plan to get an Nforce570 or 590 mobo with Athlon Brisbane. (stock HSF)
One DVD writer, and PERHAPS another DVD-ROM (reader).
One SATA HDD, and PERHAPS another PATA HDD.
throw in a midrange PCI-E graphics card (ATI 2600 or Gefore8600)

would a 350watt PSU be enough?

newegg ftw!
http://educations.newegg.com/tool/psucalc/index.html

Newegg's power calculator is for comic relief.

My setup has been: Quad-core Q6600, 4x1GB RAM, 4x500GB HDD, dual-tv-tuner card, nVidia 8800GTS/320, 9-in-1 usb cardreader, and a few sundry small stuff - DVD burner, mice, etc... on the Acer's stock 300W PSU. No issues.

Don't believe the hype with PSUs. Your system would likely take up a bit less power, so perhaps 200W might be used, and some amount above that for the PSU would be plenty.

I gotta concure.

I run a

E6600 @ 3.0
P5B Deluxe,
2Gb Ram,
8800GTS,
3 Hard drives
DVD Burner

all on a ghetto 300W PSU.
No issues.

 

[StopSign]

Originally posted by: Zap

Originally posted by: Marty502
What's the worst that could happen if my PSU didn't cut it for the GTS?

Instability, or your power supply fan running at high speed all the time. Or, if the PSU is really crappy, it could blow up.

430W is enough "wattage" but is it enough +12v? Also, is it enough quality? Those are the questions to answer.

Earthwatts 430W is enough +12v and enough quality.