Do I have enough power for a new graphics card?

[jont999]

I'm looking to get an upgraded graphics card, either a 3850 or 8800gt. I've currently got a Enermax Liberty 400W Modular PSU and I'd like to know if that's sufficient.

 

[LoadsaMoney]

Should easily be enough, 2x 12v rails at 20a each on that PSU.

 

[Biohazard]

I'm running a GTS 512 off a 400Watt ok.

 

[muon]

Should easily be enough, 2x 12v rails at 20a each on that PSU.

Combined they only provide 30A. I wish PSU firms would stop making up this multiple rail crap since they arent actually independent rails. Pure marketing BS.

Still enough for most single card setups though.

 

[LoadsaMoney]

Yeah won't be a combined 40a, but easily enough for any single card out.

 

[jont999]

Thanks guys! Right, shopping time!

 

[mame]

Combined they only provide 30A. I wish PSU firms would stop making up this multiple rail crap since they arent actually independent rails. Pure marketing BS.

Still enough for most single card setups though.

my psu is an antec 480w truepower which says: 2x 12v 18a so would that mean it would be 27a combined? or is it not that simple?

 

[KangooVanMan]

Not a bad guess at all

http://www.antec.com/specs/true480_spe.html

 

[jont999]

As a follow up, I got the card installed on Friday, no problems running it, went from 1830 to 5200 in 3dmark06 and running BF2 at 1600x1200 with full detail and no stuttering.

 

[geeza]

As a follow up, I got the card installed on Friday, no problems running it, went from 1830 to 5200 in 3dmark06 and running BF2 at 1600x1200 with full detail and no stuttering.

only 5200 in mark 06?

With my X1800XT i get 5100, so i would have thought you should be getting around 9000 or something (unless you are running 512mb RAM and 1.6ghz pc or something)

 

[deshepherd]

for what its worth my 3850-512 card seems to be happy on my PSU which only has 17A on the 12V line