My PSU size

Daphatboy · 25 Nov 2011 at 13:02

Hey guys,

I have just bought a Radeon HD 6950 and plan on overclocking it.

But my current PSU is only 530W and overclocked I understand it will use more wattage.

Will I be ok? Am I cutting it close? Or should I definitely buy a new PSU?

(My specs in my sig - except my new 6950

)

Thanks in advance,
Jack

Tealc · 25 Nov 2011 at 13:09

I run a decently overclocked i7 920 and a slightly overclocked HD6950 and the power draw is around 360W, at 90% efficiency so actual PSU power usage is around 330W with the rest dumped as heat.

So with 530W on tap with a decent PSU you'll be fine. Just don't expect to be able to go crossfire.

PC components don't generally use as much power as people think.

CPU 130W, GPU 200W, Motherboard 50W (no way of checking this), HDD 7W, RAM 1-2W, Fan 3W, LEDs <1W, SSD <1W.

Reaper 392 · 25 Nov 2011 at 13:09

you'll be fine with that

even a standard 6970 would be fine on that PSU:
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/292

(i chose the 6970 to show you that overclocking the 6950 wouldnt be a problem)

*edit*
looks like my PC pulls about he same power as yours will, and we both have the same PSU:
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/315?vs=293

Daphatboy · 25 Nov 2011 at 13:12

Thanks for your help guys

Tediore · 25 Nov 2011 at 13:12

Just to echo what Tealc and Reaper said, that will be absolutely fine.

Surveyor · 25 Nov 2011 at 13:49

Is the PSU the BeQuiet Pure Power L7 530W?

If it is then take note of this:

Marine-RX179 said:
To make matter worse, according to recently PSUs review on Custom PC (bit-tech), the Be Quiet! Pure Power L7 only able to draw maximum of 28.5A (342W) from the 12v rails instead of the rated maximum 35A (420W), and with a maximum output of 464W instead of rated 530W.

Tealc · 25 Nov 2011 at 16:44

The Be Quiet! Pure Power L7 only able to draw maximum of 28.5A (342W) from the 12v rails

Well if that's true that is quite pathetic for a supposed good brand of PSU. You'd expect most brand names to be able to provide around 90% of their rated wattage as 12v.

I may have to reconsider my statement above if this is the case.

Daphatboy · 30 Nov 2011 at 13:01

If this information is true, would It be a bad idea to buy a water cooler? Do they draw more power than a regular air cpu cooler?

Should I start thinking about getting a new psu?

Darujhistan · 30 Nov 2011 at 14:13

Tealc said:
Well if that's true that is quite pathetic for a supposed good brand of PSU. You'd expect most brand names to be able to provide around 90% of their rated wattage as 12v.

I may have to reconsider my statement above if this is the case.

Get a Corsair, you'll never look back.

Daphatboy · 30 Nov 2011 at 16:37

Darujhistan said:
Get a Corsair, you'll never look back.

But do I NEED to?

Daphatboy · 5 Dec 2011 at 09:51

Hi guys,

Im finding my PC is sometimes crashing with a kernel-power critical event, so im going to buy a new PSU just incase.

Is spending more for a higher-efficiency PSU worth it?

jaf2212 · 5 Dec 2011 at 10:15

Daphatboy said:
Hi guys,

Im finding my PC is sometimes crashing with a kernel-power critical event, so im going to buy a new PSU just incase.

Is spending more for a higher-efficiency PSU worth it?

If you are going to replace your psu then getting a higher wattage will help to future proof it, not sure it spending more to get a gold efficiency will be worth it over say silver

Daphatboy · 5 Dec 2011 at 10:27

jaf2212 said:
If you are going to replace your psu then getting a higher wattage will help to future proof it, not sure it spending more to get a gold efficiency will be worth it over say silver

Hmmm ok....I was thinking in the: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-002-XF mark.

jaf2212 · 5 Dec 2011 at 10:34

Daphatboy said:
Hmmm ok....I was thinking in the: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-002-XF mark.

The XFX range are good psu's, have a read of this

The XFX Black Edition/ XXX Pro Modular are Seasonic M12D, these PSU's are top tier, one of the best performers period. I would rank it slightly above Seasonic X/Corsair AX in terms of raw performance, as the ripple suppression is around the same, but the voltage regulation on the minor rails is a little tighter.

Tealc · 5 Dec 2011 at 10:35

80 plus Gold is about 7% more efficient than a Bronze model. So if you burn 400w while gaming it'll be almost 30w less power at the wall. At idle of 120w you'd be looking at around 10w. If your PC is on a lot then any price difference will be recouped given time.
So.....

3 hours gaming 90wh per day.

12 hours idle 120wh per day.

Cost of leccy per day 3p extra. £1 a month. £12 a year. £60 over the life of a 5 year warranty.

Depends on the price differential really. Golds should be able to run cooler and quieter in theory.

Daphatboy · 5 Dec 2011 at 10:47

Ok, thanks for your help guys, I think the XFX is the way to go