Graphics card...

Macabre · 16 Oct 2006 at 11:02

Okay so I see the deal on the 7900 GTO which I was going to get. But I will no doubt need a new power supply, considering the one I have right now is only 350 W, and is underpowered im pretty sure (system restarts randomly).

Anyway I was choosing from power supplies, I was looking at the 520W OCZ OR THE 600W OCZ silent SLI. So I wasn't sure one which power supply to get, is the 520 W OCZ enough?

Also is this card worth getting, with DX10 around the corner. Even though DX10 is around the corner I wouldn't buy it right away, drivers may not be fully stable etc. And the price, which would take at least a few months to settle. Current system specs are:

P4 3.4 GHZ dual cpu
1GB RAM DDR
Geforce 6600 256MB
250GB Sata HD
350W Power Supply

ins0mn1ac · 16 Oct 2006 at 11:04

dx10 + its useage is still afew months away, and yes the 520 OCZ is plenty, been using mine for a while its ace

wizardmaxx · 16 Oct 2006 at 11:06

Hi and welcome

The 520 should be more than sufficient. Afa dx10 its probably more an issue if u going to buy the likes of 7950's and 1950's, real high end cards. So it will probably stand u in good stead until things settle down.

You may have to remove the link though as the site contains compeditor information

bilston · 16 Oct 2006 at 11:20

Im planning on running a GTO on my PSU which is 520w, and about 2 years old

Not expecting any problems whatsoever

You'll be fine wiht that one although if the 600 is marginally cheaper, you may aswell get that one.

Macabre · 16 Oct 2006 at 11:25

Well the 600W is like £30 more or something than the 520W, I just read some reviews on modular cables hearing they aren't to great, they lower performance or something.

But im wondering is it worth it to upgrade from a 6600 256MB to a 7900 GTO 512MB?

My computers main use is games, msn and some graphic design now and then. But base it on games.

Oh yeah im still wondering wheather putting the 520W into the computer will cause a spike in the electricity bill. My computer isn't on 24/7 no and it wouldn't really be idle a lot.

I removed the link from my first post.

wizardmaxx · 16 Oct 2006 at 11:28

Electricity bill will go up afa the graphics is concerned, and how much gaming u going to use, but the psu will prob use less juice due to efficiency.

Macabre · 16 Oct 2006 at 11:33

wizardmaxx said:
Electricity bill will go up afa the graphics is concerned, and how much gaming u going to use, but the psu will prob use less juice due to efficiency.

Well right now I think my PSU is toiling, it restarts my computer randomly at times, so if the psu is working hard to try get things done, wouldn't that put the electricity bill up more than a 520W psu that has a somewhat more relaxed time working things including the new graphics card?

wizardmaxx · 16 Oct 2006 at 11:37

It will only use what it needs to use, but if it is rebooting the whole time then it will definately use additional power for posting, initialising, etc. Its really a non issue afaic cos to run a pc 24/7 at full load = £100 per annum. Sure you can save £5 here and there, but a trip to the shop for snacks costs more than that.

Jay_t · 16 Oct 2006 at 11:47

wizardmaxx said:
It will only use what it needs to use, but if it is rebooting the whole time then it will definately use additional power for posting, initialising, etc. Its really a non issue afaic cos to run a pc 24/7 at full load = £100 per annum. Sure you can save £5 here and there, but a trip to the shop for snacks costs more than that.

Not sure thats completely true. This might be an over the top example, but anyway.

1 x mega PC with quad SLI and 1000 Watt psu running at full load. Lets just say that was the full 1KW.

1KW hour is about 10p

Therefore this PC costs 10p per hour. £0.10 * 24*365 = £876.00 :eek:

Crazy example I'm sure you'll agree, but running a PC at full load is NOT £95 - £105 a year.

wizardmaxx · 16 Oct 2006 at 12:04

Jay_t said:
Not sure thats completely true. This might be an over the top example, but anyway.

1 x mega PC with quad SLI and 1000 Watt psu running at full load. Lets just say that was the full 1KW.

1KW hour is about 10p

Therefore this PC costs 10p per hour. £0.10 * 24*365 = £876.00

Crazy example I'm sure you'll agree, but running a PC at full load is NOT £95 - £105 a year.

Dually noted, but pc in question is not exactlly a cray and utility costs vary considerably. Also if u had a 1kw monster, heating costs for winter would be lower

Macabre · 16 Oct 2006 at 12:30

New information for me. I didn't think the graphics card would boost the electricity bill, that sucks though.

Macabre · 16 Oct 2006 at 12:33

Also with the 520 W design does that suck air up and push it out of the back or is it blowing air down into the computer.

wizardmaxx · 16 Oct 2006 at 12:34

air up and push it out of the back

Macabre · 16 Oct 2006 at 12:40

wizardmaxx said:
air up and push it out of the back

Alright thanks. Another thing is I have a problem with dust in my computer. Buying compressed air all of the time racks up the cash, its like £8 a can. So is there any specific tools or fans that can prevent dust from getting into your computer?

wizardmaxx · 16 Oct 2006 at 12:45

Build a room like Michael Jacksons got.

Seriously only way is a filter system, where you have a main air intake to your case and you clean the filter regularly. Not perfect, but helps a lot.

Macabre · 16 Oct 2006 at 12:48

Do you think the 7900 GTO would max out every current game on my system? (including Oblivion)

wizardmaxx · 16 Oct 2006 at 12:51

I'm not heavily into games, but choice of components match pretty well CPU vs Graphics, so bottleneck would be .... hell i dont know. Maybe Concorde could shed some light here.

Macabre · 16 Oct 2006 at 13:02

What would your oppinion be on the 350W power supply in my machine. It randomly turns off my computer now and then, is it underpowered? im pretty sure it is the power supply though. I've also been told that is kind of dangerous as it could fry my whole system if I just leave it like that.

wizardmaxx · 16 Oct 2006 at 13:06

If its a no name brand generic the the 350w means sqat. Probably only good for 250w imo. If the psu is overloaded, or underpowered for the system and voltage drops, the components try to compensate for that an in turn draw more current. More current leads to more heat and voltage drop and the cycle continues until something falls over and the system reboots .... normally the way things go.

Macabre · 16 Oct 2006 at 13:10

On the power supply box it does have a web site, I'll have to check it again for that. But it does have some weird combinations on it like xx + xx = 350W / xx + xx = 250W.

Also It's nothing probmatic but at random times, mainly when I load up a game the computer starts to power up and gets real damn loud and sounds like a jet engine, can be heard throughout the house. I know its no doubt a fan thats set to fast or something, but which component is it coming from?

FSP group inc power supply.