Graphics Cards minimum PSU requirements

[alien_robots]

Hello,

I'm wanting to get a new graphics card and I am concerned that my PSU is not good enough. I'm on a budget and was looking at GTX 750 ti.

The card requires like 400 watts, 12v *24a with PCI power connector

My PSU is 500w but only 12v *17a (would have to use an adapter for pci power)

Other cards I'm looking at don't require a pci power but have a recommended 12v *20a

Should I upgrade my PSU and go for a slightly cheaper card?

And is there any difference in performance with cards that require a PCI power (6pin), than those that just plug into the Pci-e slot?

 

[Scampi]

The GTX 750ti uses 60W or 5 amps. The 750 variants that need a 6pin use 25W more power.

That does seem pretty low, 17amps/204W on the 12v rail for a 500W PSU.

Is that a single 12v rail or dual 12v rail ? Any idea what make/model PSU it is ? adn what's the rest of your system specs please ?

If you want to be sure, replace it.

Ample for the job:
EVGA 500B: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-power-supply-100b10500kr
Corsair CX500: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-power-supply-cx500
Antec VP-450: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/antec-power-supply-vp450

Recommended:
XFX 550Pro: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/xfx-power-supply-p1550sxxb9

 

[clutchc]

There are versions of the GTX 750 Ti that don't require a 6 pin connection and only require a 300W PSU. (although your PSU's +12V rail is too weak for even them)
I would not advise using a GTX 750Ti with that PSU. Upgrade it along with the card.

 

[alien_robots]

My Psu pretty generic, im embarrassed to say, the brand is coolmax, and it has dual 12v rails. It has worked for me so far with my very low-end GPU. and amd fx 6300, 8bg ram, win 7-64bit.

Also, I've heard the term "bottle-necking" when playing games. Is that something i should worry about with the gtx 700 series and my current CPU(fx6300).

Thanks for the reply!

 

[Scampi]

I'd recommend replacing the PSU then, to be on the safe side.

No bottlenecking with a FX 6300 & a GTX 750ti. It's a pretty good match.

Also, it appears that the GTX 750ti's that require an additional 6 pin power, are the overclocked out the box cards.

 

[Scampi]

Ja