Best GPU to pair with 550W PSU?

Ags1

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Apr 26, 2012
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I have this PSU: Cooler Master V Series V550 - 80+ Gold. My CPU is an i7-6700 (non K) and I have no other components with significant power draw (just the usual USB ports and a Samsung SSD).

What would be the best GPU for this setup? I was thinking of either saving up for an R9 Nano for the combinatioon of performance with low power draw.
 


Which I why I made no comment about considering something else.

The R9 Nano is a little better than the GTX980 and costs as much or more than the significantly better GTX980ti.
 
R9 Nano would save me EUR160 vs 980Ti, but I didn't give a budget. I thought the 980Ti would not run on my PSU actually.
 
You did not mention your market. In the US even the cheapest Nano I've seen is only $100 less than the GTX 980ti.

The GTX 980ti is a 250W GPU, your system should not exceed 100W. I'm happy to run a good PSU at 70% of capacity (or a little more), so 70% of 550W is 385W. You will get short, sudden, demand spikes of much higher draw from your GPU, but that's what high quality, high performance capacitors in your PSU are for.
 
Thanks. I may save up for the 980Ti. This will push the purchase out by two months, which is a good thing as the new generation of GPUs should be coming available by the (May?).
 
Yes. Unless I were desperate, I would be waiting for the next generation. If we look at the last cycle, the GTX 780ti was a beast and is still relevant, so a GTX980ti would still be an OK decision, but the release of the GTX 970 completely changed the market in terms of price performance. I expect Pascal to change the market in a similar, but different way.