recommend graphics card upgrade

vman · 22 Sep 2007 at 19:16

I've got the following pc:

Athlon64 x2 3800, Asus M2N E, 2x512 5400 corsair pro, ati x1600pro 256mb, seagate sata2 160gb, pioneer dvd rw, thermaltake 430W.

I wanted to upgrade to a better midrange graphics card like the x1950pro, but im not sure whether my PSU would handle that. I know that the 2600xt doesnt need to be connected to the psu and is less power hungry..

Any recommendations....Around 100 quid.

Thanks

Vman

easyrider · 22 Sep 2007 at 19:17

x1950pro

vman · 22 Sep 2007 at 19:19

Can my psu handlle that card though??

easyrider · 22 Sep 2007 at 19:22

vman said:
Can my psu handlle that card though??

yes

J.D · 22 Sep 2007 at 20:59

vman said:
Can my psu handlle that card though??

Has your PSU only got 18amps on the 12v rail?.

If so then it might not be up to it.

My PC (in the sig) runs of this PSU http://www.xoxide.com/purepower.html.

It's only 22amp on the 12volt rail and I should be 26amps for my graphics card. I also overclock without a problem and my hardware limits me and not the PSU.

So as it's Thermaltake and could be based on my PSU, it might be able to power it. Might!.

Darkwave · 22 Sep 2007 at 21:01

J.D said:
Has your PSU only got 18amps on the 12v rail?.

If so then it might not be up to it.

Should be fine to be honest, I ran an X1900XT 512MB on a 460W PSU with 29A on the 12V rail and it was pefectly fine. The X1950Pro uses considerably less power than its bigger brothers too.

J.D · 22 Sep 2007 at 21:14

Well maybe on the fact of it being the x1950 pro.

How do you explain me running 24/7 in my sig on 22amps on the 12volt rail on my PSU though :confused:

.

I've been worried about it for a while but it's been solid. I'm stumped tbh.

LoadsaMoney · 22 Sep 2007 at 21:18

I dont think 18a will be enough.

Darkwave · 22 Sep 2007 at 21:22

J.D said:
Well maybe on the fact of it being the x1950 pro.

How do you explain me running 24/7 in my sig on 22amps on the 12volt rail on my PSU though .

I've been worried about it for a while but it's been solid. I'm stumped tbh.

Sorry I read it as 28A and not 18A.

J.D · 22 Sep 2007 at 21:44

Ulfhedjinn said:
Sorry I read it as 28A and not 18A.

lol

No problem.

Any idea about my mystic PSU though?.

Greebo · 22 Sep 2007 at 22:09

Seriously doubt 18a will be enough if that is all your psu has. Have you checked your manual or the label on the psu?

ATI recommend 30a for the x1950pro but they are always conservative but never that much

J.D · 22 Sep 2007 at 22:49

Greebo said:
Seriously doubt 18a will be enough if that is all your psu has. Have you checked your manual or the label on the psu?

ATI recommend 30a for the x1950pro but they are always conservative but never that much

I had a quick look for vman's PSU and came up with a Thermaltake with 18Amps http://www.thermaltake.com/product/Power/TR2power/w006970/w006970.asp. It could be different though :confused:

.

My PSU has 22Amps on the 12v rail from that link I posted but I'm going to have a look to see if mine is any different as I think 22Amps is way too low for my rig to be running and for little over a year now at these speeds.

Darkwave · 22 Sep 2007 at 22:52

J.D said:
My PSU has 22Amps on the 12v rail from that link I posted but I'm going to have a look to see if mine is any different as I think 22Amps is way too low for my rig to be running and for little over a year now at these speeds.

Aye 22A is a bit low for your rig, maybe your PSU is just extremely efficient.

vman · 22 Sep 2007 at 22:53

checking the PSU's manual i read the following

+12V1 +12V2

15A 18A

I'm not sure what that means...Does it have 2 12v rails.?

Darkwave · 22 Sep 2007 at 22:55

vman said:
checking the PSU's manual i read the following

+12V1 +12V2

15A 18A

I'm not sure what that means...Does it have 2 12v rails.?

Yup, two 12V rails with 33A total, which means it's powerful enough to run pretty much any graphics card out including 8800s etc. assuming it's not woefuly inefficient (unlikely being a Thermaltake.)

LoadsaMoney · 22 Sep 2007 at 22:57

If it has got that much on the 12v rails then it will be fine.

vman · 22 Sep 2007 at 23:02

thats the link for my PSU:

http://www.thermaltake.com/product/Power/PurePower/w005152/w005152.asp

killer_uk · 22 Sep 2007 at 23:27

Yup, will be fine

LoadsaMoney · 22 Sep 2007 at 23:36

killer_uk said:
Yup, will be fine

J.D · 22 Sep 2007 at 23:37

Ulfhedjinn said:
Aye 22A is a bit low for your rig, maybe your PSU is just extremely efficient.

Wow. It is the right specs :eek:

. I've just taken the side of my case and read 40Amps on the +5v / 30Amps on the +3.3v / 22Amps on the +12v. http://www.xoxide.com/purepower.html

I've had this CPU to 2.95Ghz before but with no stress testing as 2.8Ghz is just manageable heat wise dual stressed. The motherboard limits me with 300FSB so I'm fairly impressed with this PSU. I think it could take more if my motherboard didn't limit me. I've not had a problem with it for nearly 2 years now. Only the case and PSU remain from my original build.

vman said:
thats the link for my PSU:

http://www.thermaltake.com/product/Power/PurePower/w005152/w005152.asp

That's what I was hoping to find on the side of my PSU

.

That is perfect as the others have pointed out too.