Quick PSU spec check...

dcsarge

dcsarge

dcsarge

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Hi all,

Just wondered if I could get some advice as I am helping a friend upgrade his PC.

He has a shop bought HP system - Athlon II X3 2.7Ghz with 3Gb DDR2 mem and on board sound and graphics.

He asked me for a recommendation on a decent graphics card for about £130, so I recommended the 5770. The main issue is his PSU is only a 300w with very little spec info.

I recommmended he get a bigger wattage PSU for peace of mind. Would the Corsair CX 400w be a good choice as he doesn't want to pay out too much just for a few games. He did look at the 'value' 750w supplies but I can get the CX for £35.

Would it give enought head room if he wanted to go for a Phenom II quad 3.2Ghz at a later date? (not a def move if his X3 and 5770 run games happily at 1600*900).

All advice gratefully received.

Thanks, Dave
 
Get the CX400W, hes using no where near 400w on a rig like that, less than 300 even... and there is no need to get a generic PSU when you can get a good one for around the same price. :)
 
The Corsair would be superior to the value supplies.

It's always worth over speccing the PSU by a couple of hundred watts just for future proofing so I'd probably be leaning to 500W+ rather than a 400W if that upgrade is likely, especially if overclocking.

Maybe a OCZ unit?
 
Thanks for the quick replies.

He won't be overclocking but he may go quad later on. He isn't a heavy gamer but would like to play a games at a decent detail level and frame rate but not worried about maxing it out.

With that in mind will an X3 and 5770 run BF:BC2? I know he would like to play that
 
Tealc said:
The Corsair would be superior to the value supplies.

It's always worth over speccing the PSU by a couple of hundred watts just for future proofing so I'd probably be leaning to 500W+ rather than a 400W if that upgrade is likely, especially if overclocking.

Maybe a OCZ unit?
Click to expand...

He would only ever need 500w if he's running 2x overclocked 5870's and a 4.2ghz i7, or a GTX480.
 
There has been a change of plan as my friend has been able to increase his budget due to increased overtime.

He has decided to buy a better PSU now and then get a better graphics in a month time. He will be getting for a quad core later later on.

He has given me £80 to order him a PSU, so unless there are better options I planned on hitting the buy button for the Corsair TX 650w while it's on offer.

He plans on getting a 5850 in a month unless there are compelling reasons to go for a 460? The he will be looking at the Phenom II 955 after that.

Again I am open to any advice or better options as I am always more cautious with other people's cash. Thanks.
 
The Antec is modular, the Corsair TX 650w isn't. Antec also has 4x PCIE connectors against the Corsairs 2x so he won't need to use any molex adaptors.
 
I just read the review on the Custom PC website and it looks good. Shame OCuk don't have them but at least they are available elsewhere. Surprised to see one competitor asking £97 for it though!
 
The CX400 will do everything you need at 1/2 the price.

If you want an upgrade path (quad core, HD 5870 / GTX 480), I'd aim at 600+ watts. That's 2x the price.

Not sure about the OcUK value range, but like many, I'd for a good reliable power supply, probably in the region of £80-£100. For value and current system specs, the CX400.
 
He originally planned a budget upgrade but has now decided to go with a longer term view as he can afford to do so. He may end up with the upgrade bug, so a good 650w will be a better option over the next couple of years at least.
 
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