Minimum PSU for an R7-250

[masten]

Will my 250W PSU run a Radeon R7-250?

Hi,

I have a regular core 13-2120 PC with 4Gb ram and a 250W PSU (An FSP 250-60HCN), which I use for work.

I'd like to put an R7 250 in it (just so I can play Skyrim occasionally) without changing the PSU if possible. I've had a quick look and it adds up like this roughly

Core i3 = 65W
R7 250 = 70W
dvd =10W
hard drive = 5W
memory = 5W

= 155W

There's also an article on Toms Hardware where a similar system but with a Core i5 comes to 150w at full load

Also That PSU has 14W available on the 12V rail and it only needs about 5W

So I can't see the problem tbh with the PSU, but recommended requirements for that card are a 350w to 400w PSU which doesn't make sense to me

Thanks

 

[Burr]

GPU manufacturers play it safe and factor in a solid amount of overhead. They don't know everyone's sys config after all. The PSU you have should work fine as long as it's a decent build.
On a sidenote: Fans play a part, though their power req's are tiny - i think 2W or smt. Plus USB devices.

 

[ExoMale]

A good 300w 80 plus bronze will run that card in your system, I had a 2gb 240 version on a 300w delta 80 + bronze, granted this system had a 775 P4 HT and 2gb ram, but the 250 isn't really much different.

My basket at Overclockers UK:

• 1 x XFX TS 430W 80 Plus Bronze Power Supply - Black ** 5 YEAR WARRANTY OCUK EXCLUSIVE **= £33.95
• 1 x Super Flower Golden Green HX 350W "80 Plus Gold" Power Supply - Black= £49.99
• 1 x Corsair Builder Series CX 430W V2 '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply (CP-9020046-UK)= £45.95
• 1 x XFX XT Series 400W 80 Plus Bronze Power Supply= £34.99
• 1 x Antec VP350P 350W 85% Efficient Continuous Power Supply= £34.99
• 1 x Seasonic S12II 350W '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply= £38.99
• 1 x Antec VP450P 450W 85% Efficient Continuous Power Supply= £39.95
• 1 x XFX XT Series 500W 80 Plus Bronze Power Supply= £39.95
• 1 x be quiet! Pure Power L8 400W '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply - With 120mm Silent Wing Fan Built in= £45.95
• 1 x be quiet! System Power 8 500W 80 Plus Power Supply - Black= £46.99

Total: £427.00
(includes shipping: £15.30)
​

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Basically any of these will do or even be quiet 300w models if they do Atx size, though if you plan on upgrading later on then 400w be the minimum.


Edit: yeah if whatever your computer is has a good brand 250w then you should be fine. I ran a 1gb gtx 750 on a 250w liteon for testing purposes and ran fine, was an old acer with Athlon x 2 5000 and 4gb ram.

 

[masten]

Hi.

Ok right, thanks for the advice. Yeah I'm looking to keep the PSU if possible. It's not a particularly good brand PSU I don't think: An FSP 250-60HCN that came with the PC. Not much info on it on the web.

Thanks

 

[ExoMale]

What computer is it? FSP are not too bad.

You can get the R7 250 on the used market cheap enough now to trial & error.

 

[nashathedog]

Any card that only draws power from the pcie should be fine shouldn't it?.

 

[masten]

Hi, yeah it's a mini tower Zoostorm. I've checked with manufacturers the card will fit. They use standard equipment unlike HP, Dell etc.

Thanks

M