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Card power consumption

  • Thread starter Thread starter CSA
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CSA

CSA

CSA

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Quick question , does a X1800XT use a lot more power than a 9800pro ? or is it negilable

Im trying to figure out if my POS sorry PSU is the culprit to a few upgrade issues ive been having
 
Its a 480watt no name kinda thing that i bought about two years ago, its never given me any problems even when i ran a overclocked 6800GT and all the bells and whistles in my pc case

But since my recent upgrade ive been have issues with USB peripherals spazzing out while playing games , much like having a key stuck down on the keyboard/mouse , theres more info if u think u can help in the asrock dual sata2 thread over in mobo's (last couple of pages)

It is 'a lot' more power use loadsa ?



edit: and would it be using more power than mentioned 6800GT ?
 
Yeah they need at least 20a on the 12v rail, i know mines only got 20a on the 12v rail, but it runs my x1800 fine as its a branded 520w PSU, depends if its only started happening since the x1800 was put in there, as you will get problems if the PSU cant feed enough power to the card as it could be trying to, id check your 12v rail, and it may not be a true 480w as some non branded PSU's claim to be, i know a 500w Q-tec is not actually 500w as its more like 2-300w.

x1800's are well power hungry, much more than the x8 series or the 6 series of cards.
 
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A named brand 480watt would be fine. Tagan, Seasonic .....

A no named mitsishitsu who knows. I personally would never use a no named psu in any computer I/we build. Too much of a fire risk with high current gear thsese days.
 
Thanks for the input fellas , im gunna test the machine now with an old 9800pro and see if i still get the sticky key issue , god i hope its not my PSU but im starting to think it is , i really cant afford a new one atm :(

What would be the best way to reduce power useage while using the x1800xt ? i take it unplugging extra HDDs and what not ?
 
Yeah just try it with the bare essentials that you need to get a game running, like your card, a hard drive, just enough to test it for a while, see if it still happens, and also testing with the 9800pro should tell you if it is that as well. :)
 
well ive just had a few games of BF2 and no sign of the troubles , smart money says yep the PSU but i really want to air on the side of caution as it 'could' be the graphics card thats faulty , OR the PCIe slot on the mobo

I better start saving some pennys for a new PSU and see what happens when thats installed

any suggestions for a 60/70 quid budget ?
 
LoadsaMoney said:
Yeah they need at least 20a on the 12v rail, i know mines only got 20a on the 12v rail, but it runs my x1800 fine as its a branded 520w PSU, depends if its only started happening since the x1800 was put in there, as you will get problems if the PSU cant feed enough power to the card as it could be trying to, id check your 12v rail, and it may not be a true 480w as some non branded PSU's claim to be, i know a 500w Q-tec is not actually 500w as its more like 2-300w.

x1800's are well power hungry, much more than the x8 series or the 6 series of cards.
Click to expand...

Sorry to sound like a idiot but ive never took much notice of PSU details , the downfall of many i predict

Whats a 12volt rail and how exactly do i check it ? :)
 
Errm.

Its a 12V line that supplies 12V power to the mobo and molex's. ;)

You have done physics haven't you? :)

The ampage should be written on the side of the PSU, along with 3.3V 5V and a few minus ones. :)

As for checking it, buy a multi-meter. One goes to the black connections (return or negative) and one to the yellow or red which is eitehr 5V or 12V. :)

CR.
 
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CSA said:
Sorry to sound like a idiot but ive never took much notice of PSU details , the downfall of many i predict

Whats a 12volt rail and how exactly do i check it ? :)
Click to expand...
Check the sticker on the side of the PSU, it should have 12+v & you want it 20A or higher (sometimes you can have 2 & then you can get away with lower Amps)
 
ACESHIGH said:
Check the sticker on the side of the PSU, it should have 12+v & you want it 20A or higher (sometimes you can have 2 & then you can get away with lower Amps)
Click to expand...

Thanks Aces

As for the other poster, well :rolleyes:



I wish they had a 'up yours' smiley
 
Just checked , it says 12a , guess thats where my problem lies

Hey look i managed to check a sticker without having lessons in physics, go figure.......... :p
 
Yeah if its got 2x 12v rails then you combine them, so if both 12v rails are say 18a, then a combined is 36a (doubled), so if you only need 20a for the card then you know thats fine as well. :)

12a, definately hasn't got enough juice to feed the card then unfortunately, im suprised it can even manage to run it at all.

Any decent brand one like as said above that fits in your budget will be fine, as they will have an ample supply on the 12v rails (pun intended :D ), the Enermax Liberty 500w is known to be a good one, and will power it no trouble, and its only £72. :)
 
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Yeah if its got 2x 12v rails then you combine them, so if both 12v rails are say 18a, then a combined is 36a (doubled), so if you only need 20a for the card then you know thats fine as well.
Click to expand...
NNnnnmmnnn, that isn't always true m8, take this Enermax for example:
http://www.enermaxusa.com/catalog/p...id=81&osCsid=45b55d8cc4af3fbc9d5804195d818954

If you combine the rails you'd think 40A was available but it isn't, combined available power is 30A. In that case it means you can draw 20A from either rail but not 20A from both at the same time.

same applies to this Tagan, 20A from either but only 35A in total:
http://www.tagan.com/pages/products/easyconS/TG-580-U15_Tagan_UK_mini.pdf

I think Seasonic spec actual values that you can combine but not everyone does ;)
 
I'm having this problem too... just installed an x1800xt yesterday and in some situations, like 1% of the time, my mouse doesn't seem to respond for 1/2s or so. This didn't happen on my old x800Xt.

I have an Antec 450W SmartPower PSU. It has 2 x 12v rails, and has 17A and 15A on them. I don't think the PSU is the problem, as Antec are a reputable brand and 450W should be enough power. I think it might be my CPU dying with the information. It's a Venice 3200+ standard clocks.

I was thinking of getting my Dad to pick me up an X2 4200+ in USA in two weeks when he goes, but I have a feeling I'll need a bigger PSU for that. $$$ = :(
 
Yeah, the Antec is a good PSU & should run that dual core CPU, X1800XT card & other bits without a problem. As for the mouse are you running multiple apps, if so a dual core should help if thats the casue.
 
Not running multiple apps, but I do have a lot of programs running + the Dual Core should help a lot, yes.

If the power is not a problem, I should be upgrading in about 2 weeks then! Cheers.
 
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