Psu confusion

Olddid · 03-09-2007, 01:05 PM

I've just upgraded my PC to-
Intel Q6600
Asus P5N32-E Sli
Crucial DDR2 4Gb
XFX Geforce 8600GTS
Seagate 320 Gb Sata 3.0

I have my PSU from previous setup which is a
CoolerMaster 450W (2 years old).

Do I need to upgrade my PSU? As i've seen some saying Quad core + Sli ready?

roy92 · 03-09-2007, 12:25 PM

that should give it enough power for now. If you do intend of putting a quad core (Note: you don't really need a PSU to be "optimized for quad-core or SLI) to run quad cores or SLI, it's just there to give you peace of mind that it will run without burning out, all you need is a stable PSU from reputable manufacturers), more hard drives and an extra graphics card (SLI), I recommend getting at least a 500W PSU. But as it is, it should be fine.

Also, you should read Big B's PSU stick, which can be found in my sig below.

Big B · 03-09-2007, 01:08 PM

While it will most likely run that setup, it's going to be a close call. Components are being shifted to run off the +12V rail, so it's hard to judge a power supply by the wattage. There's three different voltage rails from a power supply: +3.3V, +5, and +12. As already mentioned, the action is moving to the +12V. This is why you'll see power supplies boast about multiple +12V rails. To be on the safe side, you'll want to have 25-30 Amps (A) on the +12V, or with multiple +12V a combination of the +12V. It's not to say that you will use all of it, but you don't want to be using it at full capacity all the time. You wouldn't run your car's engine in the red all the time and expect it to last long, and the same prinicple is true with power supplies. You want some head room, not only for expansion, but just for normal use and the health of the power supply.
Basically, while you can probably get by for the time being, I would strongly recommend doling out some cash for a better unit should that Cooler Master not meet the +12V standards I've suggested. If you're looking for an 8800 or Radeon 2900, then the bare minimum should be 30A, although you're going to want to play it safe and go with 35-40A (or more, that won't hurt).

Olddid · 03-09-2007, 01:45 PM

Thanks for the info, looks like I shall have to upgrade the PSU to be on the safe side. Maybe a Thermaltake Toughpower 850.
Thanks again

roy92 · 03-09-2007, 02:00 PM

always listen to Big B on tis one

Olddid · 03-09-2007, 04:01 PM

For me (i think) it's boiled down to theses two:

Super Flower 700W Aurora
&
Tagan TG700

Which would you choose?

donkey42 · 09-09-2007, 10:48 AM

Tagan

Olddid · 09-09-2007, 04:08 PM

Yea, we've just come to the same conclusion.
Thanks very much.
You've all been a great help.

03-09-2007, 01:05 PM	#1 (permalink) Top
Olddid Geek Trainee Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 7 My Mood: Amused Status: Offline My Computer	Psu confusion I've just upgraded my PC to- Intel Q6600 Asus P5N32-E Sli Crucial DDR2 4Gb XFX Geforce 8600GTS Seagate 320 Gb Sata 3.0 I have my PSU from previous setup which is a CoolerMaster 450W (2 years old). Do I need to upgrade my PSU? As i've seen some saying Quad core + Sli ready?

03-09-2007, 12:25 PM	#2 (permalink) Top
roy92 CSS HAXOR Join Date: Feb 2006 Age: 15 Male Posts: 547 Times Helpful: 37 Status: Offline My Computer	that should give it enough power for now. If you do intend of putting a quad core (Note: you don't really need a PSU to be "optimized for quad-core or SLI) to run quad cores or SLI, it's just there to give you peace of mind that it will run without burning out, all you need is a stable PSU from reputable manufacturers), more hard drives and an extra graphics card (SLI), I recommend getting at least a 500W PSU. But as it is, it should be fine. Also, you should read Big B's PSU stick, which can be found in my sig below. __________________ I helped someone! here - laptop hard drive here - graphics card problem this indeed is true Interested in SLI? visit slizone Need help with PSU's? drop by Big B's PSU sticky Nvidia Display Drivers - here ATI Display Drivers - here Hate spyware and adware? Grab spybot and adaware Last edited by roy92; 03-09-2007 at 12:27 PM.

03-09-2007, 01:08 PM	#3 (permalink) Top
Big B HWF Godfather Join Date: Dec 2001 Age: 28 Male Posts: 9,636 Times Helpful: 585 My Mood: Devilish Status: Offline My Computer	While it will most likely run that setup, it's going to be a close call. Components are being shifted to run off the +12V rail, so it's hard to judge a power supply by the wattage. There's three different voltage rails from a power supply: +3.3V, +5, and +12. As already mentioned, the action is moving to the +12V. This is why you'll see power supplies boast about multiple +12V rails. To be on the safe side, you'll want to have 25-30 Amps (A) on the +12V, or with multiple +12V a combination of the +12V. It's not to say that you will use all of it, but you don't want to be using it at full capacity all the time. You wouldn't run your car's engine in the red all the time and expect it to last long, and the same prinicple is true with power supplies. You want some head room, not only for expansion, but just for normal use and the health of the power supply. Basically, while you can probably get by for the time being, I would strongly recommend doling out some cash for a better unit should that Cooler Master not meet the +12V standards I've suggested. If you're looking for an 8800 or Radeon 2900, then the bare minimum should be 30A, although you're going to want to play it safe and go with 35-40A (or more, that won't hurt). __________________ Hardware Forums\|HWF Rules\|My DVD's\|PSU FAQ\|HWF Folding Team\|2CPU

03-09-2007, 02:00 PM	#5 (permalink) Top
roy92 CSS HAXOR Join Date: Feb 2006 Age: 15 Male Posts: 547 Times Helpful: 37 Status: Offline My Computer	always listen to Big B on tis one __________________ I helped someone! here - laptop hard drive here - graphics card problem this indeed is true Interested in SLI? visit slizone Need help with PSU's? drop by Big B's PSU sticky Nvidia Display Drivers - here ATI Display Drivers - here Hate spyware and adware? Grab spybot and adaware

09-09-2007, 10:48 AM	#7 (permalink) Top
donkey42 Paranoid Geeky Geek Join Date: Mar 2006 Age: 34 Male Posts: 5,816 Times Helpful: 309 My Mood: Paranoid Status: Offline My Computer	Tagan __________________ GRUB manual \| Google Linux \| Distrowatch \| Linux Chix \| Kubuntu \| My Mini City

03-09-2007, 01:45 PM	#4 (permalink) Top
Olddid Geek Trainee Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 7 My Mood: Amused Status: Offline My Computer	Thanks for the info, looks like I shall have to upgrade the PSU to be on the safe side. Maybe a Thermaltake Toughpower 850. Thanks again

03-09-2007, 04:01 PM	#6 (permalink) Top
Olddid Geek Trainee Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 7 My Mood: Amused Status: Offline My Computer	For me (i think) it's boiled down to theses two: Super Flower 700W Aurora & Tagan TG700 Which would you choose?

09-09-2007, 04:08 PM	#8 (permalink) Top
Olddid Geek Trainee Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 7 My Mood: Amused Status: Offline My Computer	Yea, we've just come to the same conclusion. Thanks very much. You've all been a great help.

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