Would this overpower a 380w PSU?

smurray

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Feb 23, 2010
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I'm in the process of planning an HTPC build, and am not sure if what I want to get is going to be too much for the PSU I'm planning on getting. I'm planning on using an Antec NSK2480 case, so will be using the 380w PSU that it comes with. Below is a list of the hardware I would like to use. I'm actually planning on using the iGPU on the motherboard at first, but will add the graphics card in a few months. I'm a little concerned that using a Phenom X4 will push the limits of the PSU, which means I'll have to settle for an Athlon X4. Anyway, here's my list of parts.

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-785GMT-USB3
Processor: AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition (or Athlon II X4 635)
Graphics Card: Radeon HD 5770 (eventually)
Memory: G.SKILL 4GB F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ
Hard Drive: WD Green WD5000AADS
Optical Drive: Can't decide between a cheap Samsung DVD burner or an LG Blu-Ray burner.
 
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OS

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
15,581
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i built a pretty barebones system similar to that last weekend

msi micro atx
athlon x3 to x4 435
4 GB kit
60GB OCZ
2TB hitachi
ati 5770
recycled DVD-RW

i reused an ultra v-series 400W PS, which is supposed to be bottom barrel stuff and it works fine, there is no voltage sag and i played crysis on it all weekend long no problems.
 

smurray

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Feb 23, 2010
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I found a "Power Supply Calculator" on NewEgg's website, and after plugging in the parts I plan on getting, it's saying I would need a 427W PSU after installing the dedicated graphics card. Anyone know how accurate that calculator is?
 

M0RPH

Diamond Member
Dec 7, 2003
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I found a "Power Supply Calculator" on NewEgg's website, and after plugging in the parts I plan on getting, it's saying I would need a 427W PSU after installing the dedicated graphics card. Anyone know how accurate that calculator is?

The calculators are not very accurate. Best thing to do is check reviews for the video card and look at the system power consumption that they measured. For the 5770 I dont think you will find any that drew more than 300W and those were systems more power hungry than yours, like one for example that had an overclocked i7 965.
 

Lonyo

Lifer
Aug 10, 2002
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I found a "Power Supply Calculator" on NewEgg's website, and after plugging in the parts I plan on getting, it's saying I would need a 427W PSU after installing the dedicated graphics card. Anyone know how accurate that calculator is?

The invariably over-estimate requirements. And the Newegg one seems whack.
http://www.antec.outervision.com/ gives under 300w for the 965+5770
Even bumping the CPU up to 100% TDP and the system to 100% load only gives 335w total.

For general use, assuming it's a PSU that has a decent rating and outputs (i.e. most of the power is available on the 12v line and it's rated at a reasonable temperature and made of reasonably high quality components) then it should be fine. You might not have much/any overclocking headroom, but you should be able to comfortably run the components at stock speed.
 

smurray

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Feb 23, 2010
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Wow, the newegg one must REALLY overestimate. The antec one only calculated I needed around 330W.
 

yh125d

Diamond Member
Dec 23, 2006
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The components you listed look more like a gaming machine than an HTPC

An HTPC would look more like

Single or dual core
2gb RAM or 4 if you have some lying around
780g/GF9400 integrated GPU, alternately 4350/4550/9400GT
Bunch of HD space
TV tuner

Unless you plan to transcode lots of videos, you don't need a quad. Unless you're planning on playing games on your TV as well, you don't need a GPU beyond a 4550 or so
 

smurray

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Feb 23, 2010
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It will be an HTPC primarily since it will be hooked up to my TV, though I will play games on it occasionally since it will also be my only PC. I wanted to build something that would be powerful enough that it would be able to play games if I wanted, but still not break the bank.