Safe PSU usage?

smilertoo · 28 Aug 2015 at 03:16

Hi,
I used this site http://powersupplycalculator.net/ to check my estimated psu usage and it says i use 375w load and recommends a 533w PSU.

I am using a Seasonic X-Series 650w '80 Plus Gold' Modular Power Supply and i want to know if it would be safe to add an nvidia GTX950 to this system?

It pushes the estimate right to the edge but its a very high rated PSU and i would never be running both GPUs flat out, I never overclock anything.

pastymuncher · 28 Aug 2015 at 09:30

Power supply calculators are pretty useless to be honest. The only way to truly know how much your pc uses is to buy a plug in energy monitor. It would help us to be able to help you if you told us your pc's spec.

GSXR Gaz Mc · 28 Aug 2015 at 09:34

who makes a decent energy monitor ?

Quartz · 28 Aug 2015 at 10:44

I'm sure OCUK sell one, called something like 'Killawatt', but I can't find it.

pastymuncher · 28 Aug 2015 at 13:24

Yeah, I tried looking for one before I posted but it appears they don't sell it anymore. You can buy one in your local DIY store, bargain store, electrical store or even some supermarkets for around a tenner. Just keep in mind that the actual power your pc components are demanding from the psu is always less than what is shown on the power meter as that is what the psu is drawing to deliver the required power.

smilertoo · 28 Aug 2015 at 13:51

Hi, The hardware is as follows, all running at stock.

MSI GD65 Z87 Motherboard
Intel 4770k
2x8gb ram
STX sound card
2 ssd
4 hdd
6 fans
MSI gtx 780

Seasonic X-Series 650w '80 Plus Gold' PSU.

Jim99 · 28 Aug 2015 at 14:48

That's tonnes of power, off the top of my head probably sufficient for 780 SLI.

If you check full system reviews on review sites like HEXUS they'll often tell you the power draw of the system under usage.

pastymuncher · 28 Aug 2015 at 19:40

Just to give you a idea, my pc (in siggy with a 780) pulls a max of 452w at the wall and only if I run IBT and furmark both at the same time. Normal gaming usage is in the 120-370w range although Anno 2070 makes it pull 422w. Idle is only 62w.