Enough Psu For Radeon ATI HD 3870 X2

[SLShermon]

Hey everyone, i want to put a Radeon ATI HD 3870 X2 into my gaming pc, but im not totally sure if my psu can handle its power load. I have the Corsair Builder Series 500w. My full system specs are below, and thanks for your help

System specs-
-Zalman Z11 Plus Case
-BioStar TZ77A motherboard
-i5 3570k 3.8ghz
-8gb vengance ram
-Corsair Builder Series 500w psu
-750gb hardrive
-Window 7 Ultimate 64-bit

 

[madbiker]

I'd think being that it's corsair you would be fine, just have to ask or point out, why not get a 6870 or something used that is way better of a card?

 

[JamesSneed]

Yes it will be fine. Your system will draw around 350 watts with no OC on the CPU.


EDIT: Anyone can do this by using a PSU calculator: http://extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp

 

[kevin83]

The AMD website says that you should have at least a 550w power supply. That being said sometimes the rest of the components in a system can negate the need for so much power. However, you are running a quad-core intel chip overclocked, 8gb of ram, and a mechanical hard drive so you'd probably need something more.

http://www.amd.com/us/products/desktop/graphics/ati-radeon-hd-3000/hd-3800/Pages/ati-radeon-hd-3800-system-requirements.aspx

In any event why not get a directx11 chip like the 7770 which is more powerful and uses way less power?
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-7.html

 

[Deemo13]

You should be able to run it on that power supply. Its a good power supply. The 3870 X2 does not use more than 162W on full load. That's less than my friend, who runs a 6870 on a CX500, with alot of lights and alot of fans in his NZXT Phantom 410.

You should be fine.

 

[SLShermon]

Yes it will be fine. Your system will draw around 350 watts with no OC on the CPU.


EDIT: Anyone can do this by using a PSU calculator: http://extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp

Do you think it will fit in my case too, its pretty long 13.5 inches says the amazon page?

 

[SLShermon]

The AMD website says that you should have at least a 550w power supply. That being said sometimes the rest of the components in a system can negate the need for so much power. However, you are running a quad-core intel chip overclocked, 8gb of ram, and a mechanical hard drive so you'd probably need something more.

http://www.amd.com/us/products/desktop/graphics/ati-radeon-hd-3000/hd-3800/Pages/ati-radeon-hd-3800-system-requirements.aspx

In any event why not get a directx11 chip like the 7770 which is more powerful and uses way less power?
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-7.html

There is no overclock on the cpu

 

[Deemo13]

Are you getting this 3870x2 for cheap? Sometimes its not worth it for a used card like that. It might not fit in your case depending on what one it is.

What is the card in question?

 

[SLShermon]

Are you getting this 3870x2 for cheap? Sometimes its not worth it for a used card like that. It might not fit in your case depending on what one it is.

What is the card in question?

The card is new, and for 70 bucks. I'm nervous it wont fit in my case the zalman z11 plus. But for the money the card has pretty good performance

 

[Deemo13]

That is true. What card are you getting?

And how are you getting it new?

 

[SLShermon]

That is true. What card are you getting?

And how are you getting it new?

I want to get the ATI HD 3870 X2 off of amazon, you said i should be able to run it.

 

[spentshells]

The card is new, and for 70 bucks. I'm nervous it wont fit in my case the zalman z11 plus. But for the money the card has pretty good performance

70 is too much the card is worth 35 at best

 

[Deemo13]

I know, I'm just wondering what the model of the car is. Some models of cards are different than others.

If its 13.5", its probably not going to fit in the case. You might want to consider a new case, or a new card.

Also, your current GTX560 is faster than the 3870 x2:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-7.html

 

[spentshells]

hackintosh ?