Advice on upgrading PSU

[Theirry]

This is my first build (so Im still learning the basics) and first post on Tom's Hardware.

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I53570K

MoBo: ASUS P8Z77-V LK LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS (Referbished! Not sure if it was worth it, had to RMA it.)

GPU: MSI N660 Gaming 2GD5/OC GeForce GTX 660 2GB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 SLI Support Video Card

Memory: G.SKILL Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2400 (PC3 19200) Desktop Memory Model F3-2400C11D-8GSR

CPU Cooling: XIGMATEK Prime SD1484 (CAC-SYHH4-U01) 140mm Sleeve Bearing (with copper axle) CPU Cooler

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 7200.14 ST3000DM001 3TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive Bare Drive (RMA'd because BIOS Wouldn't detect it.)

PSU:
Rosewill CAPSTONE-450 450W Continuous @ 50°C, Intel Haswell Ready, 80 PLUS GOLD, ATX12V v2.31 & EPS12V v2.92, SLI/CrossFire ...

I feel like I may have skimped out on the PSU, so I was wondering: Will I have problems with this current PSU and what Wattage should I be looking for in an upgrade?

(Had to RMA another part I received from NewEgg so I haven't even been able to try it myself.)

Any feedback or comments are appreciated.

 

[tiny voices]

450w should be perfectly fine for that build. The gtx660 pulls such little wattage that it will be a non issue. Your PSU is fine.

 

[juanjostorreshernndez]

The GTX660 has a moderated max TDP of 140W, and needs 450W 24A minimun, so with that gold certified unit you should be fine, however I recommend a better branded certified 550W~650W PSU like XFX, Antec,Corsair TX,HX,AX series, for having more headroom for future upgrades too.

 

[tiny voices]

That PSU is perfectly fine. It uses a high quality OEM and will be reliable.

Also a gtx660 can pull a max of 108w at 100% load not 140w.

108w + 100w for an overclocked i5 + 50w for everything else= MAX 258w under full load.

Computers use WAY less power than people think. Your build will be perfectly fine.

 

[4745454b]

I have that PSU powering my 7950. It's a beast from superflower. I assume you've already bought these parts? Overall not bad. The GPU is a bit weak. I have a similar build but with a the stronger GPU. I think you'll be happy but if you play demanding games you'll need a new GPU soon.

 

[Theirry]

I have that PSU powering my 7950. It's a beast from superflower. I assume you've already bought these parts? Overall not bad. The GPU is a bit weak. I have a similar build but with a the stronger GPU. I think you'll be happy but if you play demanding games you'll need a new GPU soon.

Any suggestions on a new GPU? Brand/Specs/Price recommendations?

And yes I already have the parts.

 

[4745454b]

What's the budget? 660TI/7950/280 is what I consider minimum for high/ultra gaming. If you can go better that's great. Even lower will allow most games to run great.

 

[Theirry]

What's the budget? 660TI/7950/280 is what I consider minimum for high/ultra gaming. If you can go better that's great. Even lower will allow most games to run great.

The budget would probably be in the $300 range.

 

[4745454b]

That's what, 280X/770 range? Those are good cards. Should have no problems playing any game at 1080 with such a system.

 

[juanjostorreshernndez]

A single GTX650/ti or 7770 can give you good performance at 1920 x 1200 in most games.

A single GTX660 or 7850 will give you excellent performance at 1920 x 1200 in most games.

A GTX760 would be a great upgrade

 

[tiny voices]

A single GTX650/ti or 7770 can give you good performance at 1920 x 1200 in most games.

A single GTX660 or 7850 will give you excellent performance at 1920 x 1200 in most games.

A GTX760 would be a great upgrade

No, a 760 would be a waste of money. It will barely get you 10-15fps more than the 660. In some games the difference is as low as 3-5fps.

http://anandtech.com/bench/product/1039?vs=1038

 

[4745454b]

I found that link quite interesting. As you said, around 10FPS more in most games. But interesting where those 10FPS put you. Look at min frame rates Crysis 3. 660 is under 30FPS while 760 is over 30. Total war high quality is sub 60 with the 660, while the 760 is over 60. In most of the games the 660 is under the marks where you'd want to be, while the 760 is over the mark. Not sure I'd upgrade to the 760 if I already have the 660, but if buying new the 760 is the better card.

 

[Theirry]

That's what, 280X/770 range? Those are good cards. Should have no problems playing any game at 1080 with such a system.

Probably would have gone with a 770 if the budget had allowed. Barely made it with this current build.

The funny thing is, a week later NewEgg shows me this DIY Build and it was within my budget.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1459757

Oh well, such is life. I don't know if this is a weird question but, what should I do with my GPU when I upgrade? Just leave it in the box laying around? Some sort of trade-in program or something? (This won't be for awhile but it's good to know in advance.)

 

[4745454b]

Can leave it as a back up. The 3570 has an igp so probably a bad idea. I'd sell it. Put it on your local CL for a good price and get some money back.

 

[Theirry]

Can leave it as a back up. The 3570 has an igp so probably a bad idea. I'd sell it. Put it on your local CL for a good price and get some money back.

What would be a bad idea about the 3570's igp? That kinda went over my head. Would there be a problem with the 770 or...???

 

[juanjostorreshernndez]

A single GTX650/ti or 7770 can give you good performance at 1920 x 1200 in most games.

A single GTX660 or 7850 will give you excellent performance at 1920 x 1200 in most games.

A GTX760 would be a great upgrade

No, a 760 would be a waste of money. It will barely get you 10-15fps more than the 660. In some games the difference is as low as 3-5fps.

http://anandtech.com/bench/product/1039?vs=1038

10-15fps can make the diference at many games in order to reach the 30fps minimun for gaming.

 

[Theirry]

*Sorry I messed up this post.*

 

[juanjostorreshernndez]

Can leave it as a back up. The 3570 has an igp so probably a bad idea. I'd sell it. Put it on your local CL for a good price and get some money back.

What would be a bad idea about the 3570's igp? That kinda went over my head. Would there be a problem with the 770 or...???

the GTX770 is great upgrade, So with the GTX770 you will need a 600W and 42A PSU, So you will be getting my first post advise as logical when I said: "having more headroom for future upgrades".

 

[Theirry]

A single GTX650/ti or 7770 can give you good performance at 1920 x 1200 in most games.

A single GTX660 or 7850 will give you excellent performance at 1920 x 1200 in most games.

A GTX760 would be a great upgrade

No, a 760 would be a waste of money. It will barely get you 10-15fps more than the 660. In some games the difference is as low as 3-5fps.

http://anandtech.com/bench/product/1039?vs=1038

Where can I learn more about FPS and texture quality and screen resolutions? I grossly misunderstood how GPU'S work. I thought a 660 could put out more frames than 33 FPS for Metro: Last Light.

 

[Theirry]

Can leave it as a back up. The 3570 has an igp so probably a bad idea. I'd sell it. Put it on your local CL for a good price and get some money back.

What would be a bad idea about the 3570's igp? That kinda went over my head. Would there be a problem with the 770 or...???

the GTX770 is great upgrade, So with the GTX770 you will need a 600W and 42A PSU, So you will be getting my first post advise as logical when I said: "having more headroom for future upgrades".

I see what your getting at. Thanks for the advice.

 

[4745454b]

I meant it would be a bad idea to keep the card laying around as you already have an IGP.

I disagree that you'd need a different PSU to run the 770. The 770 and 7950 have similar TDPs and I run the 7950 off my 450 Rosewill.

Where can I learn more about FPS and texture quality and screen resolutions? I grossly misunderstood how GPU'S work. I thought a 660 could put out more frames than 33 FPS for Metro: Last Light.

Not sure what you mean by this.

 

[Theirry]

I meant it would be a bad idea to keep the card laying around as you already have an IGP.

I disagree that you'd need a different PSU to run the 770. The 770 and 7950 have similar TDPs and I run the 7950 off my 450 Rosewill.

Where can I learn more about FPS and texture quality and screen resolutions? I grossly misunderstood how GPU'S work. I thought a 660 could put out more frames than 33 FPS for Metro: Last Light.

Not sure what you mean by this.

I meant that I guess I have no idea how GPU's work to affect gameplay, and am Interested in learning specifically what they do in more detail.

 

[Theirry]

I meant it would be a bad idea to keep the card laying around as you already have an IGP.

I disagree that you'd need a different PSU to run the 770. The 770 and 7950 have similar TDPs and I run the 7950 off my 450 Rosewill.

Where can I learn more about FPS and texture quality and screen resolutions? I grossly misunderstood how GPU'S work. I thought a 660 could put out more frames than 33 FPS for Metro: Last Light.

Not sure what you mean by this.

So is the IGP stronger than the GPU? Or am I still not getting it?

 

[juanjostorreshernndez]

that is a gold certified PSU, so they can pull out more power than laveled (maybe close to 600W), due to its quality components and efficiency, however you will be pushing too hard the PSU+12v rails, reducing the PSU lifespan considerably. The best option is to be as close to 50% from PSU load as possible, where the PSU shows better efficiency, and not close to 100% (as that 450W unit would be ).

Also, taking into account he has a 3570K CPU(even that he has limited OC potential due to air cooling solution, and mobo series) and the other componnents, I asume he will practice some OC activities on near future when he learn how to, so the max TDP of a CPU and GPU can rise considerably when overclocked.

 

[4745454b]

igp is an Integrated Graphics Processor. They are weaker then the GPUs you can buy today. I'd probably point you to the wiki on GPUs and ask questions on what you have.

Basically today there are a bunch of tiny processors in the video cards. Each one does part of the work, with a finished frame being the output. It's way more complicated then this obviously.