Enough Power?

[Dubstepz]

Hello i have a cooler master extreme power plus rs-500-pcar-j3 500w atx12v v2.3 power supply and i would like to know if it can handle 2 ATI 5770 gpu's in crossfire, or will i need a better one? and which single card from the 6*** series can it handle? (incase i dont crossfire and go for a single card option)

Other pc parts

Athlon x4
4 Gig value ram
5 case fans (3 have lights)
500GB hdd

 

[Dubstepz]

My budget is around $225 dollars (not our currency). I am looking at this: http://www.landmarkpc.co.za/store/club-6850-standard-edition-radeon-hd6850-p-5787.html

Is it a worthwhile upgrade from my 5770? how will it compare to 2 5770's?

 

[Dubstepz]

well im running a 23" screen with a 1920x1080 res and i pretty much play any type of game, from BFBC2, soon B3, WoW, WoT, Civ v, Assassins Creed, fear, the witcher 2, CoD4, etc.

 

[geekapproved]

Your not going to be happy with a 6850 at 1920x1080. Go for at 6870 at least or better yet a 6950.

 

[beenthere]

Not all 500w PSUs are created equal.

The proper means to determine what PSU requirments your PC has is to determine the current and future Video card(s) total wattage/amps. under max load, then determine if your existing PSU can meet those demands. Work thru the information below and then you'll have an accurate answer as 500w PSUs vary in amps. available on the 12v rail so some might work and others will not.

There are several websites that show the Vid card power consumption in watts. (See links below). Divide the watts by 12 to determine the amps. required on the 12v rail(s). Add 15 amps for the rest of the PC on the 12v rail and you now know the Minimum total 12v rail amps required under full load. It's best to have at least 5-10 amps. reserve on the 12v rail available under full load so the PSU is not loaded to 100%.

http://www.guru3d.com/article/geforce-gtx-560-ti-sli-review/14

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/NVIDIA/GeForce_GTX_560_Ti/25.html

As far as PSUs are concerned, be informed. Before you buy any PSU read accurate, objective PSU reviews at reputable sites such as www.jonnyguru.com or www.hardwaresecrets.com on the EXACT model PSU that you are interested in as some brands have good and poor quality PSUs.

You can also get an accurate rating of how much PSU power is required for your current or future system at the PSU calculator link below. Once you know the total PSU watts required then you need to confirm that the 12v rail has enough amps. to support your Vid card(s) and the rest of the PC system.

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


It's also worth noting that people often misunderstand the 80% power rating. This is a rating of the PSU's energy efficiency not it's output. 80% plus PSUs use less grid power to produce the same PC power. If it's 80% Bronze, Silver or Gold the cost savings on electricity is pretty small between Bronze, Silver and Gold unless you are paying very high rates for electricity so any 80% rated quality PSU is fine even if not Gold. For those who leave their PC on 24/7 a quality 80% PSU is a good investment.


IT'S ALWAYS BETTER TO TEACH A PERSON HOW TO FISH THAN TO GIVE THEM A FISH FOR DINNER!

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. INVEST SOME EFFORT IN LEARNING SO THAT YOU CAN NOT ONLY HELP YOURSELF BUT OTHER FOLKS TOO.

 

[FlintIronStagg]

i just got a hankerin for some halibut...

 

[mindistortionz]

I think you should be able to run both cards on that. one more thing to keep in mind is if you are already or plan on Over Clocking the system. All that takes juice outta the PSU if you increased any voltages. Just running stock, I think you are fine. only thing that worries me is the brand of the PSU, not all PSUs of the same Watt is created equal.

 

[Onus]

That PSU was found by HardwareSecrets to be capable of 500W, but beginning a little less than 400W load, the ripple and noise on +12V exceed spec; in other words it is junk that may slowly kill your system if placed under load. I wouldn't put anything more than a HD6790 on it, which would be too weak for decent settings on a lot of games (like BF3) at 1920x1080.

 

[Dubstepz]

Best answer selected by Dubstepz.

 

[geekapproved]

I have a HD5850, which is faster than a HD6850, and it struggles in SOME games even at 1680x1050, so that's why I suggested something better for 1920x1080.

For 95% of the games though it's just fine.