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Wise PSU Choice for i5 / HD 6850 Build?

S

Smoolean

Member
Hi all,

I'm putting the final touches on my build before I order the parts, and I'm trying to decide on a power supply.

Initially I had picked the Corsair 430CX ($51 - including shipping)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...9017&Tpk=430cx

The reason I think I might need something else is I plugged my parts into this calculator and it suggests 328w, and I read you should only use about 50% of your PSU... so I would assume the 430 will not be enough. But please correct me if I'm wrong - I'm looking to keep this build fairly budget-oriented so I'd be happy to stay with the 430CX if possible.

Would this be overkill?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...Field=0&Pagesize=10&IsFeedbackTab=true&rdm=49

Here is my build... any idea how many watts I should look for? Any good brands, or particular PSUs you can recommend? I don't see myself adding any major upgrades to the PC down the road, perhaps someday a more powerful GPU...

CPU: i5 2500k // $225
http://www.amazon.com/Intel-Processo...1711484&sr=1-1

GPU: Radeon HD 6850 1 GB // $175
http://www.amazon.com/Sapphire-DL-DV...1711462&sr=8-1

Motherboard: ASRock H61M-VS LGA 1155 // $67 (including shipping)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...0H61M-VS%20LGA

Power Supply: Corsair 430CX // $51 (including shipping)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...9017&Tpk=430cx

RAM: G.SKILL NS 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 1333 // $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...&SID=u00000687

Case: Antec Three Hundred // $60
http://www.amazon.com/Antec-Three-Hu...1711556&sr=8-1

Hard Drive: Samsung Spinpoint F3 // $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-181-_-Product

DVD/CD : ASUS Black 24X DVD+R // $27 (including shipping)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...SUS-_-27135204


Thanks!
 
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430 is fine. Realistically you will actually be at about 50%.

Keep in mind max rated power won't be reached most of the time. doing things like encoding video or music will tax the CPU, games will usually tax the GPU and usually when one is taxed the other is not fully taxed. I generally get significantly less power usage in games than if I run synthetic benchmarking programs.

I would expect you to see less than 250W power draw when playing actual games.
 
I would go for the 500W Antec instead as there are many GCs that can be supported with a 500W PSU. Having a 500W PSU will make it easier for you to consider upgrading to any mid range single GC. Although for that current setup that you have the Corsair 430W is sufficient.
 
Smoolean said:
@BTRY B 529th FA BN: I will be playing StarCraft 2 (hopefully at max settings @ 1920x1200) and also a game called Minecraft. Other than that, I am an amateur photographer, so also Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop.

Right now, I'm leaning towards the Antec Earthwatts 430 for $50
// http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...scrollHelpful1
Click to expand...

Go for the Earthwatts 430 for $50. Nice PSU, no rebate to deal with, and it's 80 Plus Bronze efficiency. 430w is more than enough power for your build. I'd be surprised if your system draws more than 200w from the PSU at load (just under 250w from the wall, as Concillian suggested), unless you overclock.

By the way, the Earthwatts doesn't come with a power cord, so I hope you have one of those handy.
 
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Smoolean said:
Thanks Termie. Is this the type of power cord (basic 3 prong) that it doesn't come with?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16812123368

Or is it another type of internal power cable that connects the parts together?
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's the one. If you don't have one, you might consider browsing some of the other PSUs, because that's a lot to pay for a power cord. I think the Corsair you originally picked out is fine, or some of the other Corsairs. They'd all be just as good as the Antec. Just the principle of it...up to you if you don't mind paying for the power cord.
 
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