Question Coolermaster RealPower 620W and new GPU

[mk_2]

I still use the Coolermaster Real Power 620W PSU, since 2010. No problems at all up to now.

The last five years it worked fine with an RX480. I just ordered a new RX6600, the rest of the system will remain the same (B360 mobo, i5 8400, a few SATA disks, an SSD, 16GB DDR4).

Is it a good idea to keep the PSU for the new card too since it hasn't shown any sign of problematic behaviour and the new card is slightly less power hungry than the one it replaces?

 

[ohio_buckeye]

It is 10 years old. Probably safer to get a new unit to be safe imo.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

It's served it's purpose. Time for a modern PSU.

 

[mk_2]

As I don’t plan to upgrade the system again for quite some time, do you suggest a lower wattage, high quality “gold” certification model? Like a Corsair RMx 550W? Would like to read your suggestions.

 

[ohio_buckeye]

I’d suggest go a little more than needed if it’s more much more. Keep in mind power supplies will age and won’t always produce the same power they did when they were new so that will give some wiggle room. Also in case you change your mind a year down the road for say an 8600xt for example then you may not need a new psu at that time.

 

[Karadjgne]

650w. Usually the 550w and 650w models are in direct competition, so you'll often find one on sale cheaper than the other, depending on the store.

A 550w will do, a 650w would be a better option. If you figure the thermal loads as both being equitable, the waste heat being such a small % as to be realistically negligible, then a load will have a different impact on a larger unit. A 400w load on a 550w psu is a 72% use of the heatsinks, that same load on a 650w is only 61%. So a larger psu will run more efficiently, more effectively, quieter overall.

Plus, your old psu is 80+. That means it's 80% efficient, 20% wasted heat. 80+ Gold is 90-92% efficient. That means if your pc currently draws 400w, it's pulling 500w from the wall. A Gold will pull @ 440w for the same load. That's equitable to leaving a standard incandescent 60w light bulb burning for the entire time the pc is on.

It's really a no-brainer.