Watt to Card

[general_fleshtearer]

BTW. One more important thing. In total I'm looking to spend around $300.

[CosyTo]

I posted a similar question a while ago :
http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=291727

Creed gave a handy adres to find out this sort of questions :
http://www.jscustompcs.com/power_supply/

[Sp1ice]

Also just an FYI the 7800 series of cards uses less Watts then the 6800 line.. from my experience you would want at least 350 watts depending on how much ram and how many HD's you have as well as the processor.. but the link goes over that stuff as well.

[leif3d]

I would spend $100 on an Antec true power 450W+

[general_fleshtearer]

lol thanks. Ya I saw on a website that the 7800gt is like 350 watts. So I think I need 550watts so I can run the rest of my comp to. Right?

[mooncry]

hi general, your ok with yoiur current power supply, but ofcourse if you can get a higher one, thats better:) but 300 watts can handle your setup, i used a shuttle computer, with a 350 watts PSU, and it can handle my setup just fine;)i even know a lot who has amd x2 processor, 2 HD, 2 gig ram and a 7800 gtx running with a 350 psu.:)

[general_fleshtearer]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150108#DetailSpecs

Thanks for al your help. This is the card I got. I need a 550 watt power supply because this thing itself take 350watts. lol. Im thinking of getting a sparklet one.

[lots]

Its not so much the wattage, but the quality of the unit. Most computers dont need more than 300ish watts. But its always nice to have some headroom for upgrades, and constant power to keep the system stable.

[general_fleshtearer]

Wow. Thank you all. Everyone here has been so helpful. But I do have one more question on this topic. What do people mean when they say, "I played BF2 on MAX settings." Does it automatically go to that setting or do you have to do it yourself. Also what does overclocking mean and how is it done.

[deathman20]

Its not so much the wattage, but the quality of the unit. Most computers dont need more than 300ish watts. But its always nice to have some headroom for upgrades, and constant power to keep the system stable.

Well you mean AMD systems need around 300watts and P4's are around 400 ;) Expecially the newer rigs.

But yes having a little more Wattage for the PC is a nice thing.
1) Your not taxing your PSU as much
2) Your PSU could be running more efficiently running at less then full capacity
3) Longer life of the PSU not running at its max or close to its max
4) Room for upgrades later
5) Quality PSU's have better ratings, and generally more wattage then the $20 deals you can score that might run at its rated wattage


As for the graphics card. It does not take 350W. Its more then 75 but less then 100 if not mistaken. When they put the ratings on the cards its saying a minimum of 350W PSU for the whole system. I think some say 400 and 450 anymore also for the system. I'd pick somewhere in the 400's for a PSU, at least it gives you some room to play with later on. The main point is to make sure your not taxing 1 line to much in the PSU. Like having your HDD cut out on you when in windows, or having fans power up/down during intensive activites on the computer. This is what you want to avoid, hence a larger PSU.

Don't try skimping on it since its your lifeline to your system. Its one of the parts that people tend to skimp on the most to save a few bucks and they regret it later.

[general_fleshtearer]

Hi everyone...again. lol. I just went to a store and bought a 90 dollar power supply w/ 50 dollars mail in rebate. So about 47 dollars if you count tax lol. It is an Ultra Xconnect powersupply...500watts. Is it good? I don't really care about the design since my pc is closed.

Additional Info of PSU:
-Made in China
-500 watts
-80mm dual fans
-Low noice (supposedly)
-Nice design (don't really care)
-Cables are simpler

If you don't think this is good enough or is a bad brand then I will return it. Just let me know please. Thanks!

[lots]

Never heard of it.

[general_fleshtearer]

It's a new company. I think it came out last year or something.

[deathman20]

Nifty little program. Gives some nice figures of what equipment uses for watts to guess what power suppy you should go for at least.

http://extreme.outervision.com/index.jsp

[deathman20]

Oh ya forgot to add. That link, the wattages at least on the CPU's for sure, are all worst case senerio's. So take that with a grain of salt.

For instance my Opty 170, has a theremal output of 35W @ stock speeds. Not bad :)

[lots]

I'd do some research on that PSU. Though an Antec TPII 550W or something from PC Power and Cooling would be much better ;)

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