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An Issue of Power

hamehax

hamehax

hamehax

Associate
Joined
21 Feb 2010
Posts
67
Location
Bristol
Hi so this is my first post on OCUK forums and I'm wondering if anyone would be able to help me with a quick compatibility issue. I have a 400w PSU and am looking at getting the Vapour-X 5850 and manually overclocking it to 881/1190.

Now I'm not sure if my PSU will handle it. My previous card was the Gainward GTX 260 Golden Sample in its 896mb form
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-116-GW&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=927

If if do need a new PSU I was checking out this OCZ one which has the plus of being both cheap and modular
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-037-OC&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=1098

My rig is as follows:
CPU:AMD Athlon X2 240 2.8 @ 3.6 with a Arctic Cooling Freezer 7
Mobo:MSI 770 C45
RAM:2G of Corsair Dominator DDR3 1600 running at 1666
HDD:WD 7200 320GB
Case:NZXT M59
Optical: Samsung Writemaster something:confused:
PSU:Corsair CX400w

If now if anyone could tell me if ill be needing that new PSU or not that would be infinitely helpful.
 
I'd check the reviews and compare the full system load of the 5850 versus the GTX260 and see if the 5850 is similar or better. Your 400w may well be enough.
 
rolypolyman said:
Check this out will give you an idea.:)
Click to expand...

I can see a possible problem with those results - They're looking at total power usage with GPU at max 100%, but not CPU.

It might be a wise idea to invest in a plug in power meter and see how much power your system is using now, and work out what spare you have.

For instance, in my rig in sig it draws around 100W idle, 185W gaming, and 220W with 100% CPU and GPU maxed out stress testing. From a 350W PSU.

There's no exact answer, as all systems draw slightly different power amounts.
 
I would be tempted to say you are pushing the PSU just a bit. Better to have a 520W or 600W, but check the Current requirements of both cards on the 12V rails to compare them better.
 
You could be on the limit there, and a higher wattage PSU running less stressed is always better for longevity. For only a fiver more you might even consider the 600W OCZ modular. I'm looking at that one too - anyone know if it's supposed to be any good?
 
Personally I wouldnt risk it on a 400w PSU. Due to you overclocking stuff as well your putting enough strain on your system as it is. Like liampope said above me, its all about longevity. A less taxed PSU will last longer than one running right to its limit daily.
 
It's enough and will leave you with around 150w spare. The rig in my siggy plus a pair of sata ll hdd's, sata dvdrw, 5x fans and a zalman ZM-MFC2 multifunction controller draws a max of 274w at the wall and even then only if i run Fur stability test and Prime at the same time. Normal gaming use is around 194-224w.
 
I can vouch for the ocz modextreme :) lovely psi and more importantly runs whisper quiet and cool, very happy with the purchase :)
 
Yet but more queries

Well thanks for all the replies:D
The Antec Calculator says that 243w as minimum which seems a bit strange, especially considering that consumption table. Have I done anything wrong here?

Getting a new PSU would not be so much of a chore, as a modular PSU would be a welcome change from current, which is more unwieldy than a bag of eels.
Anyway I was in future thinking of exchanging my gracefully ageing Freezer 7 Pro for either CoolIt or Corsairs CPU block. would this push more strain on the PSU in the same way as larger cooling system (obviously not to the same extent)?
Thanks for the help :D
 
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You'd be surprised how little power machines actually use.

Rig in sig doesn't even break 300w at 100% load on everything.
 
Right well thanks guys :D
Will stick with my current PSU and if its not up to the job then I'll have the cash by the end of the month to buy that OCZ. Well thanks for that guys :D
Looking forward to some Vapour-X quiet gaming
 
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