Need a different PSU!

Anesthetize · 29 May 2011 at 15:57

So I made a thread a while ago asking around for a PSU that would power Sli 580s, but I've now scrapped the whole Sli idea and will be running a single 580.

Specs (again):

Asus Z68 Pro Motherboard.
i5 2500k OC to 4.7/4.8GHz.
EVGA GTX 580 SC.
8GB RAM (might try and lower the timings a bit on these).
Noctua D14 cooler.
Samsung Spinpoint 1TB 7200 HDD.
OCZ Vertex 2 60GB SSD.
A cheap DVD RW drive.
Coolermaster HAF X case with one or two additional fans.

Now, I keep being told not to worry about this, but I can't help but obsess over it! I'd like the rig to run ideally between 30% and 70% of the PSUs total power between idling, gaming and a bit of light video editing. Definately not more than 70%.

With that said, how much wattage do I need? Would it be around 650w? or would I need a bit more?

Thanks for any help.

Anesthetize · 29 May 2011 at 16:27

Grimley said:
650 is about right. Though saying that you can never have enough power for a PSU.

This should do the trick.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-037-CS

Let me get this perfectly clear, cause no one seems to answer me when I ask this specifically. A 650w should put me between 30% and 70% of the PSUs power between idling and gaming? No lower than 30, no higher than 70?

Also, I'm willing to spend out quite a bit on it, so I was looking at the Seasonic X series 650w. Seems like a well-loved PSU.

Anesthetize · 29 May 2011 at 16:48

sk82jack said:
Using this PSU calculator I came out at 508w @ 100% load, which you won't hit unless stress testing, but if you want that to be under 70% you will want a 750w PSU.

I won't be stress testing, the highest load the rig will come under is during gaming. The video editing is going to be very light. So still a 650w to stay under 70% load?

Anesthetize · 29 May 2011 at 16:57

Reaper 392 said:
the site is currently down, but when its back up, take a look at anandtech's GPU comparisons. it will tell you how much power your entire computer takes (and not by an exstimation from a PSU calculator, which can be badly wrong sometimes)

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/GPU11/188

I looked on there. Under gaming load (Crysis) it was saying 389w. But I've been told that's what they were pulling from the wall, not what the GPU needed. So I guess a different PSU would give different results.

Either way, it was more confusing for me than it needed to be. I just need someone to straight up tell me what wattage would put my rig, depending on activity (idling being the least intensive, gaming being the most), between 30% and 70% of the PSUs total power.

From what I understand, 50/60% is the PSUs most efficient point, but sitting at 60 under load would mean the idle consumption percentage would be a bit low. So I'm willing to have around 70% under load so idling sit around 30'ish. I just want to strike a nice balance.

Anesthetize · 29 May 2011 at 17:11

stulid said:
You are over analyzing it again.

For this new spec a 650w is what you need.

I can't help it, I'm like this with everything electrical. Spent months choosing a TV to buy a few years back. Just can't spend out unless I'm 100% sure what I'm buying is right.

So, I should never max out a 650w, prefereably not surpass 70%. Yes? No?

I just need a few people to answer these questions and I'm done, I'll have the list finalised, and be ready to buy next week...

Anesthetize · 29 May 2011 at 17:22

stulid said:
You will not max out the psu with what you listed and you will be in the sweet zone in terms of efficiency.

That's all I needed to hear. You wouldn't believe how difficult it's been for people to tell me that. I've asked across 5 different forums, sent a good few private messages etc. But whenever it comes to the % of PSU use, I get no replies.

Okay, so the Seasonic X Series 650w is a good choice? reviews are good for it, and price isn't a problem (as I was originally gonna go for a bigger PSU anyway).

Anesthetize · 29 May 2011 at 17:52

Cool, cheers