Do I need a 850W PSU??? An "expert" recommended this.

[sinwha321]

Hey, I've been running some issues with my computer recently.
It sporadically just shuts down. Especially when I'm running high intensity applications or when I'm running windows explorer. Yeah, kind of random. Sometimes, I can play SC II on high settings no problem, sometimes it just shuts down before the POST bleep.
So I called up a pc repair-person and they traced the problem to a faulty PSU.

I run:
q6600 quad core,
8800GT in single mode ( no SLI )
4 GB ram
2 Hard Drives and
P5N32-E SLI.
On a cheap-ass 650W PSU that's served me for about 4-5 years.

So his recommendation was for me to get a 850/1000 Watt PSU.
I thought this seemed a bit excessive...
What do you think?

Also, modular or just normal?

 

[delluser1]

A good 450w would be enough for that configuration.

 

[hell_storm2004]

Corsair CX400W is good enough.

 

[Henry Chinaski]

A quality 450W PSU that has one PCIe connectos is more than enough for you. As hell_storm said, even the Corsair CW400 would be enough.
Anyway, I would go for something better if you are planning for replacing your old graphic card in the future. The CX400 would be plenty for handeling even an ATI 5770.

Corsair CX400 reviews: http://www.realhardtechx.com/index_archivos/Page447.htm

 

[sinwha321]

Cheers for all the tips guys.
I'm thinking of upgrading to a GTX 460 maybe.
What wattage would you recommend?

 

[hunter315]

A good 500-550W unit will be plenty. It should have ~40A between its 12V rails.

My usually recomendations for that power level are the Seasonic S12II 520W, Corsair 550VX, and Antec TP-550, the S12II is cheaper some places but more expensive others so check the prices for your area.

 

[leon2006]

Calculate the PSU capacity base on your PC configuration

Here's a tool from corsair
http://www.corsair.com/psufinder/default.aspx

Here's a tool from cooler master
http://www.coolermaster.outervision.com/index.jsp


Here's a tool from Antec
http://www.antec.outervision.com/

Use known good brand of PSU such as Corsair, Seasonic, Enermax, Antec...etc.

If you want reviews of PSU one good site is
http://www.jonnyguru.com/index.php

There are other sites that review PSU.

 

[Randomacts]

If your planning on getting a new graphics card, nothing more then 650 wats is needed just to be safe.

CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W would run your computer without a problem AND some..


But if you want to save some money you can get a 400-450 wat PSU from a good dealer and you should be safe.

 

[shovenose]

LOL! expert indded. i bet he just wanted to sell an expensive psu

 

[Emperus]

The Corsair VX 550W (non modular PSU) will be enough even when you upgrade to the GTX 460 (get the 1GB model).. You can go for extra power at your convenience and budget.. If you want a modular PSU then the Corsair HX 650 or the Antec EA-650 will be good..

 

[Zenthar]

As most people said, 500-550W would be enough unless you add neons or water pumps 😛. However, as you search for a new one, look at the price difference to get something a bit bigger so it might be usable in a future build, maybe something in the 650-700W range. If the price difference is too great, just don't bother with that.

 

[christiangordon]

q6600 quad core, 105w
8800GT in single mode ( no SLI ) 135w
4 GB ram 2x2 60w
2 Hard Drives 22w
P5N32-E SLI. 128w

PSU 450w+


GTX 460 292w bump 609w+

 

[ordcestus]

LOL! expert indded. i bet he just wanted to sell an expensive psu

alot of people reccomend too much PSU out of ignorance. i don't think i would accuse this guy of ulterior motives yet.
i recomend 650 for your supply. i like lots of safety room

 

[christiangordon]

I personally will calculate my hardware peak power usage then add 50w+ to play it safe. Plus you need to make sure that the amps and volts of the PSU accurately combine to make the right amount of watts

 

[sinwha321]

Hey I'm thinking of getting this one,

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/650W-XFX-XXX-Edition-Single-Rail-Modular-PSU-85-SLI-Xfire-EPS-12V-20plus4pin-Connector-135mm-Fan

so that I can use it for the GTX 460, would you recommend this?

 

[christiangordon]

12v1 @ 52A = 624w

Looks like it should be just fine

 

[Emperus]

Hey I'm thinking of getting this one,

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/650W-XFX-XXX-Edition-Single-Rail-Modular-PSU-85-SLI-Xfire-EPS-12V-20plus4pin-Connector-135mm-Fan

so that I can use it for the GTX 460, would you recommend this?

It should be enough.. But it has not got a very great performance review (check out reviews at jonnyguru) unlike its next elder brother the 750W Black Edition..

 

[sinwha321]

Hm, I've been snooping around and it's been getting fairly good reviews, but I'll keep that in mind.
Also, I have no idea what it means when they're saying about a single rail design...is this something to be concerned about?
And as a stupid question: it seems to have a huge fan on the very top of the PSU box, but the way my computer is built, it doesn't have an outlet for that fan...is this going to be a problem?

 

[hunter315]

You point the fan into the main body of the case, its an intake fan that draws air in from the case and exhausts it out the back of the case. The XFX 650W unit lost 3 points because it didnt crossload onto the 3.3V and 5V rails without a reasonably high 12V load, you are going to have a hell of a time crossloading it onto the 3.3V and 5V rails with a modern system and it did well in the rest of the review so i would go for it, its a nice solid Seasonic built unit.

 

[sinwha321]

Noice. Guys thanks for all the progressive comments, can I ask where is a good place to buy this in the UK?
I usually get my stuff from scan.co.uk, which do great deals, but I was wondering if there were any other alternatives.

 

[hunter315]

check out overclockers.co.uk and ebuyer.com as well, they have decent prices most of the time.

 

[sinwha321]

so I'm installing the Power supply and it comes with a 4/8 pin ATX 12v power connector. But on my board P5N32-E Sli, the port for it is an 8 pin port, but it is covered by a wee black thing, and was connected to my previous power supply by only 4 pins as well:
So, do I remove the black thing and put in the 8pin ATX connector? or just leave it as 4 plugged in?

 

[Henry Chinaski]

so I'm installing the Power supply and it comes with a 4/8 pin ATX 12v power connector. But on my board P5N32-E Sli, the port for it is an 8 pin port, but it is covered by a wee black thing, and was connected to my previous power supply by only 4 pins as well:
So, do I remove the black thing and put in the 8pin ATX connector? or just leave it as 4 plugged in?

Remove it and put in the 8-pin connector. It's the proper connector for your mobo.

 

[sinwha321]

Also, my newly installed Hard Drive Isn't being recognised....wtf?