If graphics card specs say 400W min PSU, will 350W work?

[danispop]

My new build is a mini ITX format HTPC. The case came with a 200W TFX format PSU that I will have to upgrade, because the specs for the graphics card I want to use call for a 400W PSU. Unfortunately, my local supplier only has a 350W. Will the 350W supply put out enough juice for BluRays and NetFlix, or do I have to go shopping for a bigger PSU?

 

[sna]

My new build is a mini ITX format HTPC. The case came with a 200W TFX format PSU that I will have to upgrade, because the specs for the graphics card I want to use call for a 400W PSU. Unfortunately, my local supplier only has a 350W. Will the 350W supply put out enough juice for BluRays and NetFlix, or do I have to go shopping for a bigger PSU?

The recomended power on VGA CARDS take in account safe factors , like all slot used , and 4 or more harddisks in use ,and some 4 fans and full memory used etc ..

The real thing howeve is that you measure the watt yourself ..

the CPU , the chipset , Ram installed , DVD , Harddisks , fans, and put above it like 50 watts Safe margin.

for example , the HD 7770 Ghz edition say you need 400 watts , while the whole system will work in burn test at around 230 Watts.

be sure to pick the TFX from seasonic the GOLD full modular one . it is the best TFX around .

this one

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151115

tell me your PC specs so I tell you the best Gaphic choice for you with 350 WATT PSU

 

[danispop]

My new build is a mini ITX format HTPC. The case came with a 200W TFX format PSU that I will have to upgrade, because the specs for the graphics card I want to use call for a 400W PSU. Unfortunately, my local supplier only has a 350W. Will the 350W supply put out enough juice for BluRays and NetFlix, or do I have to go shopping for a bigger PSU?

The recomended power on VGA CARDS take in account safe factors , like all slot used , and 4 or more harddisks in use ,and some 4 fans and full memory used etc ..

The real thing howeve is that you measure the watt yourself ..

the CPU , the chipset , Ram installed , DVD , Harddisks , fans, and put above it like 50 watts Safe margin.

for example , the HD 7770 Ghz edition say you need 400 watts , while the whole system will work in burn test at around 230 Watts.

be sure to pick the TFX from seasonic the GOLD full modular one . it is the best TFX around .

this one

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151115

tell me your PC specs so I tell you the best Gaphic choice for you with 350 WATT PSU

 

[danispop]

Thanks for helping out and for the tip about the Seasonic PSU. I'll look into it. In the meantime, here's everything I have on the system:
Motherboard/APU Combo:
MB – Mini ITX BIOSTAR A68I-350 Deluxe
APU – AMD Fusion APU 350D AMD A68
RAM:
8GB DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) SDRAM, Model BLS8G3D1609ES2LX0
Drive:
LG 12X Internal Blu-Ray/DVDRW Combo Drive – Manufacturers Part No. CH12LS28
HD:
2.5" SanDisk SSD, 128GB
Video Card:
XFX ONE R-Series Radeon HD 5450 ON-XFX1-PLS2 Video Card - 1GB DDR3, PCI-Express (x16), Low Profile, Heatsink

 

[rwpritchett]

Thanks for helping out and for the tip about the Seasonic PSU. I'll look into it. In the meantime, here's everything I have on the system:
Motherboard/APU Combo:
MB – Mini ITX BIOSTAR A68I-350 Deluxe
APU – AMD Fusion APU 350D AMD A68
RAM:
8GB DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) SDRAM, Model BLS8G3D1609ES2LX0
Drive:
LG 12X Internal Blu-Ray/DVDRW Combo Drive – Manufacturers Part No. CH12LS28
HD:
2.5" SanDisk SSD, 128GB
Video Card:
XFX ONE R-Series Radeon HD 5450 ON-XFX1-PLS2 Video Card - 1GB DDR3, PCI-Express (x16), Low Profile, Heatsink

What you've got is an AMD E350 Fusion setup. It uses only ~18W. The HD5450 has a TDP of 19W, but in reality pulls 14W at max load (link). Your current 200W PSU is more than enough to run what you've got with the proposed video card already.

That said, you should be able to play blu-ray and SD netflix just fine without the HD5450 using the onboard HD6310 video on the APU. HD Netflix won't work even if you get a discreet video card because Netflix doesn't use hardware acceleration, so the E350 CPU must do all of the playback and it's too slow.

 

[theclouds]

All else equal psu ratings are optimistic. Better to assume manufacturers overestimate than underestimate. Go to a different supplier.

 

[danispop]

Thanks for helping out and for the tip about the Seasonic PSU. I'll look into it. In the meantime, here's everything I have on the system:
Motherboard/APU Combo:
MB – Mini ITX BIOSTAR A68I-350 Deluxe
APU – AMD Fusion APU 350D AMD A68
RAM:
8GB DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) SDRAM, Model BLS8G3D1609ES2LX0
Drive:
LG 12X Internal Blu-Ray/DVDRW Combo Drive – Manufacturers Part No. CH12LS28
HD:
2.5" SanDisk SSD, 128GB
Video Card:
XFX ONE R-Series Radeon HD 5450 ON-XFX1-PLS2 Video Card - 1GB DDR3, PCI-Express (x16), Low Profile, Heatsink

What you've got is an AMD E350 Fusion setup. It uses only ~18W. The HD5450 has a TDP of 19W, but in reality pulls 14W at max load (link). Your current 200W PSU is more than enough to run what you've got with the proposed video card already.

That said, you should be able to play blu-ray and SD netflix just fine without the HD5450 using the onboard HD6310 video on the APU. HD Netflix won't work even if you get a discreet video card because Netflix doesn't use hardware acceleration, so the E350 CPU must do all of the playback and it's too slow.

 

[danispop]

Thanks again for all the help and suggestions. Your patience is appreciated, too. However, I tried playing a blu-ray using the setup without the video card and then with the video card. In both cases, I was told that this wasn't enough for blu-ray. I then went to the Cyber-Link site (blu-ray player software provider) , where I got a list of cards that would play blu-ray. This list did not include my card or the E350CPU. So, I'm now looking at this card -- EVGA GeForce 8400 GS 1GB DDR3 -- since the GeForce 8400 series is among the recommended cards. I will also be bumping up my PSU to 350W (the biggest TFX PSU I could find) to cover any possibilities. Any comments or suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks again.