Will my 320 watt PS handle a GTX 670 GPU?

[davmat787]

I was recently given an HP 8100 Elite that has an i7 880 CPU. The only add in card is a crappy AMD 4670 GPU, that must go ASAP. Reading GPU reviews, I think I have settled on a GTX670 GPU, but just realized that power considerations are in play these days.

Other components in the system:
BD drive
Intel 520 SSD 240GB
2 500GB HDD's (can remove if needed)
4x4GB RAM for 16GB
Sound and NIC are on board

In short, is a 320 watt PS sufficient? If not, what level of GPU wattage should I be ok with? I don't care about overclocking, other than what the GPU may come with factory set.

Thanks!

PS: If there is some guide out there for this issue, I would greatly appreciate a link. Been out of the PC gaming scene for about 5 years, but want to get back in. Still remember playing Doom on DWANGO dialup!

 

[lyssword]

no way
besides, ur 330watt power supply doesnt even have 1 power connector for video card, and gtx670 requires 2
ati 4670 eats probably 50 w at load, gtx 670 around 150w
I would suggest solid 500w (something like antec) power supply with 2 vga power connectors

 

[blastingcap]

95W TDP CPU
170W TDP GPU
75W mobo, RAM, drives, keyboard, mouse, etc. + implied safety cushion (with assumption that not all components peak simultaneously)
-----
340W total, and that is TOTAL, not the wattage (amps) on the 12v rail. A 320w PSU is likely to have substantially less than 320W available on the 12v rail.

Conclusion: get a lower wattage GPU with a TDP of 150w or less AND MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ENOUGH AMPS ON THE 12V RAIL; or else get a PSU with at least 340 watts (28.3 amps) on the 12v rail.

 

[crisium]

The Radeon 7750 is the fastest card without a power connector, that'd probably be the fastest you could get.

 

[The Alias]

get a corsair 650 and a 7950 with the 400 you're gonna spend

 

[Arkaign]

That case will take a standard PSU, just grab a new one and you're good to go. Look at the length of the new PSU first though, the longer ones like my TX750 probably wouldn't fit. Antec makes a nice 550W that will be the same size as OEM, and will serve a GTX 670 nicely.

 

[davmat787]

Thank you all for the quick responses, helps a ton.

The Corsair 650 on NewEgg looks more than adequate. All of the GPU's I have looked at come with one or two power adapters. But another comment led me to believe you need GPU specific power cabling coming from the power supply itself. If this makes sense, which one is correct?

It looks like the current power supply is a standard design at least, I can't stand these proprietary setups the big PC OEM's use but hey, this rig was given to me free. I will take the advice of purchasing a new ~500 watt power supply.

 

[blastingcap]

That is complete overkill for your needs. A more efficient Capstone Gold 450W by Rosewill goes for $60 and will pay for its own premium and then some, via lower power bills. Not to mention the $20 you save up front compared to the Corsair.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817182066

I have used two of them, running at heavy load 24/7 in dual-GPU rigs and had zero problems. They are outstanding for the price, reliability, and efficiency, and they have ample PCI-e connectors for your video card.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/5698/rosewill-capstone-450w-and-650w-80plus-gold

 

[philipma1957]

Thank you all for the quick responses, helps a ton.

The Corsair 650 on NewEgg looks more than adequate. All of the GPU's I have looked at come with one or two power adapters. But another comment led me to believe you need GPU specific power cabling coming from the power supply itself. If this makes sense, which one is correct?

It looks like the current power supply is a standard design at least, I can't stand these proprietary setups the big PC OEM's use but hey, this rig was given to me free. I will take the advice of purchasing a new ~500 watt power supply.

well that machine is not modular which is okay.

as for gpus.

the better ones like a 670 need cables your psu choice should have the cable built into it.


here is the list of best mobo powered gpus


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...hd7750&x=0&y=0

my guess is you could buy one of the above weaker okay cards and not use a new psu (does not need gpu cables).


when I run a setup with this type of card i stay under 200watts..


if you buy a gtx 670

your pick below has a gpu cable

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139020




Learn more about the Corsair TX650 V2 (CP-9020038-NA)


Model
Brand
CORSAIR
Model
TX650 V2 (CP-9020038-NA)
Series
Enthusiast Series

Spec
Type
ATX12V v2.31/ EPS12V v2.92
Maximum Power
650W
Fans
1
PFC
Active
Main Connector
20+4Pin
+12V Rails
Single
PCI-Express Connector-----------------------------------------
2 x 6+2-Pin-----------------------------------------------------these would connect to the gtx 670
SATA Power Connector
8
Modular
No
Efficiency
up to 85%
Energy-Efficient
80 PLUS BRONZE Certified
Over Voltage Protection
Yes
Input Voltage
90 - 264 V
Output
+3.3V@25A, +5V@25A, +12V@53A, -12V@0.8A, +5VSB@3.0A
MTBF
>100,000 Hours
Approvals
UL, CUL, CE, CB, FCC Class B, TuV, CCC, C-tick
Dimensions
5.9"(W) x 3.4"(H) x 6.3"(L)

 

[davmat787]

This Antec 520C is ~$45 after coupon at Newegg. I assume this PS is sufficient? I don't need to cheap out on this, I don't mind paying for quality, but it looks like quality PSU's are cheaper than what I remember.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371030

Thanks again for all the help.

 

[Durvelle27]

NO

at least get a quality 450W or more

 

[davmat787]

well that machine is not modular which is okay.

as for gpus.

the better ones like a 670 need cables your psu choice should have the cable built into it.

And if the PSU does not have the cable built into it, you use the adapters that most GPU's include in the box? The PSU's I am looking at come with it built in, just trying to understand where the included adapters come into play.

Thank you.

 

[blastingcap]

MOLEX 4-pin connectors output up to 60W; real PCIe 6-pin connectors output up to 75W. At least according to specs. So it's risky to use a single-MOLEX-to-single-PCIe-6-pin adapter. You want a 2-MOLEX-to-single-PCIe-6-pin adapter if your PSU doesn't have enough PCIe adapters.

Bad = http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16812201004

The whole "get a PSU with built in plug" thing is just a shortcut that is mostly but not entirely true... the thinking goes: if a PSU is so shoddy that it doesn't even come with PCIe connectors, it probably will not run a high end video card safely.

The Antec 520C should work but it's expensive for what you get. $47 shipped for that vs $60 shipped for the Rosewill Capstone 450W that is a known well-built PSU with massive 444W on the 12v rail and GOLD power efficiency should be a no-brainer in favor of the Capstone.

 

[tweakboy]

I say NOOOOOOOOOOO! There is better chance of Jesus arriving then powering up a 670 with a 350watt PSU.

There is no way it will work.

 

[davmat787]

The Antec 520C should work but it's expensive for what you get. $47 shipped for that vs $60 shipped for the Rosewill Capstone 450W that is a known well-built PSU with massive 444W on the 12v rail and GOLD power efficiency should be a no-brainer in favor of the Capstone.

Capstone it is, this is just the kind of advice I was looking for. Thank you.

 

[davmat787]

I say NOOOOOOOOOOO! There is better chance of Jesus arriving then powering up a 670 with a 350watt PSU.

There is no way it will work.

Jesus, and his buddies, were on time this morning to do the lawn, not sure what you are talking about. ()

 

[BFG10K]

Moved to PSU forum - Super Moderator BFG10K.

 

[DSF]

That is complete overkill for your needs. A more efficient Capstone Gold 450W by Rosewill goes for $60 and will pay for its own premium and then some, via lower power bills. Not to mention the $20 you save up front compared to the Corsair.

Nothing against the Capstone, but the difference a PSU makes in power bills for a normal computer user is so low that it doesn't even need to be part of the discussion.

 

[Arkaign]

That Antec 520 is good enough. I've installed maybe 500-600 of them over 20 years and had exactly one failure (transformer exploded across the street, might have had something to do with it).

 

[Meghan54]

This Antec 520C is ~$45 after coupon at Newegg. I assume this PS is sufficient? I don't need to cheap out on this, I don't mind paying for quality, but it looks like quality PSU's are cheaper than what I remember.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371030

Thanks again for all the help.

Actually, the Neo Eco 520 is more than adequate for your planned use. It puts out 40A, or 480W, on its +12V rail, and has two PCIe connectors....and is a Seasonic built unit. And for the price, doubt you'll find a better unit out there.

Just don't get hung up on whether the power supply is Gold/Silver/whatever rated. There are complete junk power supplies floating around that have gotten Gold ratings, but you gotta consider that the power supplies are tested at room temperature and the 80Plus org. that tests them does not buy retail samples, which would negate what some "bad" ps sellers do....fudge up a sample that's submitted for efficiency testing and you'll never get what you see in its efficiency rating.

 

[blastingcap]

Actually, the Neo Eco 520 is more than adequate for your planned use. It puts out 40A, or 480W, on its +12V rail, and has two PCIe connectors....and is a Seasonic built unit. And for the price, doubt you'll find a better unit out there.

Just don't get hung up on whether the power supply is Gold/Silver/whatever rated. There are complete junk power supplies floating around that have gotten Gold ratings, but you gotta consider that the power supplies are tested at room temperature and the 80Plus org. that tests them does not buy retail samples, which would negate what some "bad" ps sellers do....fudge up a sample that's submitted for efficiency testing and you'll never get what you see in its efficiency rating.

I agree that some junky PSUs out there get bronze and silver, but it's harder to fake a gold or plat PSU and the well-built ones include the Capstone 450W. The Capstone Gold 450W is good and tested well at the 80Plus site AND at Anandtech AND Jonnyguru. The Super Flower Plat PSUs universally do well at Anandtech/HardOCP/Jonnyguru/TechPowerUp/etc. Super Flower makes good PSUs including the design that went into the Capstone Gold.

Guess what else? Antec skimps on PSU internals even in their Earthwatt Plat series, such as by using Chinese caps, something that you do not find in the high-end Super Flower designs. E.g., the Kingwin Plat series built by Super Flower use all Japanese caps.

As for efficiency sure it will take a long time to recoup the $13 extra, but a) no rebate (and no envelope/stamp cost or risk of not getting rebate), b) lowers your carbon footprint if you care about such things, c) less waste heat is exhausted into your room, d) Antec's Earthwatt Plat somehow got 80+ Plat but FAILED to achieve that level of efficiency in real life, e.g., http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Antec/EA-650_Platinum/5.html

Lastly, member Toyota here claims his Antec 520 Neo Eco was loud and hot when loaded up. http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2214409 Perhaps Antec used a crappy fan or something? The Capstone doesn't get too loud or hot in my experience. It's been a proven performer for me loaded up to ~400 watts 24/7 for several months in a row now.

 

[Devlyn]

Are 450W really sufficient for 7870 or 660ti plus OC'd 3570k and the like? I'm looking at the Capstone 750 or ModXStream 600 since newegg has it for $50.. but while trying to find info on brands, I keep running across the idea that I have no need for the higher wattage.. I doubt I will ever SLI, and it seems like power continues to go down, so higher wattage isn't really 'future proofing' like one would think..

 

[TemjinGold]

More than enough.

 

[2is]

95W TDP CPU
170W TDP GPU
75W mobo, RAM, drives, keyboard, mouse, etc. + implied safety cushion (with assumption that not all components peak simultaneously)
-----
340W total, and that is TOTAL, not the wattage (amps) on the 12v rail. A 320w PSU is likely to have substantially less than 320W available on the 12v rail.

Conclusion: get a lower wattage GPU with a TDP of 150w or less AND MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ENOUGH AMPS ON THE 12V RAIL; or else get a PSU with at least 340 watts (28.3 amps) on the 12v rail.

That's quite overstated. I'm pulling right around 340watts total from the wall at full load conditions you won't actually see in real world scenarios. That's from the wall, draw from the PSU would be significantly less and less still when you're looking at the 12v rail alone. My 3770k is also OCd a bit.

 

[blastingcap]

Are 450W really sufficient for 7870 or 660ti plus OC'd 3570k and the like? I'm looking at the Capstone 750 or ModXStream 600 since newegg has it for $50.. but while trying to find info on brands, I keep running across the idea that I have no need for the higher wattage.. I doubt I will ever SLI, and it seems like power continues to go down, so higher wattage isn't really 'future proofing' like one would think..

The short answer is yes. A highly oc'd 7870/660Ti and OC'd 3570 is unlikely to draw more wattage than what I'm running on my main right right now, and that's doing fine.

I run a 7970 + 7770 + 3570K (all at stock or mildly overclocked) and some drives and fans and RAM etc. all on a Capstone 450W Gold with zero problems. 444 watts available on the 12v rail. Gold efficiency. $60 shipped. What's there not to like? See above posts in this thread for links to reviews of it.

Higher wattage just means lower efficiencies as components keep getting more and more power efficient. They also usually cost more. And the cheap ones can't even hit their rated capacities anyway.

That's quite overstated. I'm pulling right around 340watts total from the wall at full load conditions you won't actually see in real world scenarios. That's from the wall, draw from the PSU would be significantly less and less still when you're looking at the 12v rail alone. My 3770k is also OCd a bit.

Yes I know it's overstated, as a safety cushion and to account for aging capacitors over time. You are talking to someone who has repeatedly advocated for high-efficiency "right sized" PSUs instead of buying 500W+ PSUs for systems that draw 250w at full load. And yes, the thing is you can't add up TDPs like that because in the real world nothing ever peaks simultaneously, which is why I added it up and said the excess is cushion. The 75W is the big overestimate but who knows, maybe a sound card, tons of highly oc'd RAM, etc. can hit it, but realistically it's probably less than 50W even with tons of RAM, hard drives, USB keyboards/mice, fans, etc.