Gah not enough power?!

ninefoureight · 26 Sep 2009 at 14:22

Just setup my new rig with a Antec 500W Earthwats PSU that came with my Sonata. However it appears there is not enough power for my graphics card, what do i need?

Im running it with a Gigabyte UD3R / i7 920 / OCZ Repear DDR3 / 150GB Raptor / 1tb seagate / DVDRW

The graphics card in question is an Asus Glaciator 4870 1Gb.. needing two pcie connectors.

Pointers appreciated!

Thanks

pcpietrek · 26 Sep 2009 at 14:25

500W should be enough for 4870, do you have both pcie connectors plugged in?

Alex74 · 26 Sep 2009 at 14:30

As above, what clock speed are you running your i7 at?

ninefoureight · 26 Sep 2009 at 14:40

Not running the i7 at anything other than stock as its a brand new build.

Both plugged in from the cresset indicators it definately seems likes its the power .. i shouldve just added a PSU to my order when considering doh!

Happy · 26 Sep 2009 at 14:41

What are the exact problems, is it a case of the rig restarting etc when gaming?

ninefoureight · 26 Sep 2009 at 14:45

Ok .. the depression set in way too early there!! Its booted. The culprit, i had not plugged in the second motherboard connector. Booting now, i still think i may have to redress the power situation but for now its working.

A lesson in dilegent building. Thanks chaps

Alex74 · 26 Sep 2009 at 14:47

classic mistake, happy days there..

Happy · 26 Sep 2009 at 14:52

It's always good when it's a easy mistake to rectify

Your PSU will be fine unless you start heavily clocking the i7.

siege2 · 26 Sep 2009 at 14:58

btw if your in doubt , get a power meter that plugs into the mains, shows the watts , amps used etc

ie google Plug-In Mains Power and Energy Monitor

ninefoureight · 26 Sep 2009 at 15:03

siege2 said:
btw if your in doubt , get a power meter that plugs into the mains, shows the watts , amps used etc

ie google Plug-In Mains Power and Energy Monitor

Happy days indeed, ill def take a look at that. Would be interesting to see how much the PC actually punts towards the electricity bill.

The local PC shop wanted £100 for the new PSU .. id rather buy it way cheaper at OcUK if need be. Money saved and a working PC ;];]

r0cky · 26 Sep 2009 at 15:28

Glad you've got it working now.

One of my Antec cases came with a DOA PSU, it went in the bin and bought a nice Corsair one for it.

ninefoureight · 27 Sep 2009 at 10:38

Just to sort of close this off, ive now tested the setup. The 500W PSU is ok to run Windows and games in low resolutions however when run under real load the PSU very quickly cant supply enough power to the Graphics card and the whole machine crashes.

Going to order a new PSU on Monday, going to go for the http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-030-OC&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat= unless there is a better alternative. Or should i go crazy and future proof myself with a 900-1000W PSU?

straxusii · 27 Sep 2009 at 10:41

500W should be fine, in addition to my sig Ive got a soundcard, 2 hard drives, 1 ssd, 1 dvdrw

ninefoureight · 27 Sep 2009 at 11:01

Its an Antec Earthwatts 500W, that may make the difference?

straxusii · 27 Sep 2009 at 11:45

What amps do the 12v rails run at and what is the total wattage available to the 12v rails?

r0cky · 27 Sep 2009 at 12:01

ninefoureight said:
Its an Antec Earthwatts 500W, that may make the difference?

Sounds like the rubbish one I had. Get a Seasonic based one like Corsair.

Nocky24 · 27 Sep 2009 at 12:12

Yeh that psu should be absolutely fine.

Showboat · 27 Sep 2009 at 12:31

Thanks siege2, gonna score one of those for the sake of a tenner.

baroniuk · 27 Sep 2009 at 16:42

My computer in sig pulls no more than and i mean heavy o/c 440w from the wall! Hope that helps.

Franksi · 27 Sep 2009 at 17:26

i had the Sonata case and the Earthwatts 500 PSU. The issue for me was the amps on the 12v rail not being high enough rather than the wattage available