Is my power supply too weak for my build?

[XerobX]

I just bought a gtx 1060 3gb and i currently have a Intel core i3 6100 3.7 GHz CPU and i uploaded it to Reddit and everyone was freaking out and telling me how my pc was pretty much going to blow up within a month if i don't upgrade. My PSU is currently a AcBel HBA008-ZA1GT 350 W power supply. I ran the test and with my build it recommends 336 W. So am i in actual danger or not?

 

[kittybooze]

350 Watts is extremely low. It's important to remember that power supplies don't actually have to match the said amount in their actual performance, as they may cut out before hitting their said limit. Besides that, the more "at load" a power supply is, the more heat it produces, which isn't very good, especially if you plan on overclocking someday. Get yourself somewhere in the vicinity of 500w-700w. Its not that much more exspensive.

 

[XerobX]

350 Watts is extremely low. It's important to remember that power supplies don't actually have to match the said amount in their actual performance, as they may cut out before hitting their said limit. Besides that, the more "at load" a power supply is, the more heat it produces, which isn't very good, especially if you plan on overclocking someday. Get yourself somewhere in the vicinity of 500w-700w. Its not that much more exspensive.

Yeah i plan on getting a new one soon, but do you think i can play on it for a month or so or is it like code red alert and that my pc is in some kind of immediate danger?

 

[kittybooze]

350 Watts is extremely low. It's important to remember that power supplies don't actually have to match the said amount in their actual performance, as they may cut out before hitting their said limit. Besides that, the more "at load" a power supply is, the more heat it produces, which isn't very good, especially if you plan on overclocking someday. Get yourself somewhere in the vicinity of 500w-700w. Its not that much more exspensive.

Yeah i plan on getting a new one soon, but do you think i can play on it for a month or so or is it like code red alert and that my pc is in some kind of immediate danger?

The worst that can happen is it'll cut out a lot or you'll burn out the power supply, I doubt any major damage could occur. I'm just in the mindset that you are trying to buy a 350 watt.

 

[Martell1977]

Running the PSU that close it's max is not good. If it gives out, it could take the rest of the computer with it.

If this is your PSU:
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/AcBel-350W-PSU-Power-Supply-HBA008-ZA1GT-350-/262611820794?hash=item3d24e260fa

the fact that it doesn't have any PCIe connectors is very telling and it is likely a fire hazard. You are risking losing part or the entire system to a cheap PSU.

here is a reference to look at when looking for a new PSU:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2547993/psu-tier-list.html

 

[XerobX]

Running the PSU that close it's max is not good. If it gives out, it could take the rest of the computer with it.

If this is your PSU:
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/AcBel-350W-PSU-Power-Supply-HBA008-ZA1GT-350-/262611820794?hash=item3d24e260fa

the fact that it doesn't have any PCIe connectors is very telling and it is likely a fire hazard. You are risking losing part or the entire system to a cheap PSU.

here is a reference to look at when looking for a new PSU:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2547993/psu-tier-list.html

Yeah I see. So do you think it will last till my order comes in next friday and i can replace it or do I need to take it out or something

 

[Martell1977]

Running the PSU that close it's max is not good. If it gives out, it could take the rest of the computer with it.

If this is your PSU:
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/AcBel-350W-PSU-Power-Supply-HBA008-ZA1GT-350-/262611820794?hash=item3d24e260fa

the fact that it doesn't have any PCIe connectors is very telling and it is likely a fire hazard. You are risking losing part or the entire system to a cheap PSU.

here is a reference to look at when looking for a new PSU:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2547993/psu-tier-list.html

Yeah I see. So do you think it will last till my order comes in next friday and i can replace it or do I need to take it out or something

You could probably use it, but I wouldn't play games or do anything taxing. Personally, I would take the 1060 out and run on the CPU's integrated graphics. Your PSU doesn't have the needed wattage or Amps to properly feed that card and I doubt you want to risk damaging a $300 card with a $25 PSU.

The PSU is the heart of the system and if it dies and sends a power surge through the system, it could take things with it. If you need the use the computer, lighten the load on the PSU as much as possible until you can get a quality one.

On a side note, never use PSU cable adapters, if the PSU doesn't have the PCIe connection needed, there is a reason for that.

 

[XerobX]

Running the PSU that close it's max is not good. If it gives out, it could take the rest of the computer with it.

If this is your PSU:
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/AcBel-350W-PSU-Power-Supply-HBA008-ZA1GT-350-/262611820794?hash=item3d24e260fa

the fact that it doesn't have any PCIe connectors is very telling and it is likely a fire hazard. You are risking losing part or the entire system to a cheap PSU.

here is a reference to look at when looking for a new PSU:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2547993/psu-tier-list.html

Yeah I see. So do you think it will last till my order comes in next friday and i can replace it or do I need to take it out or something

You could probably use it, but I wouldn't play games or do anything taxing. Personally, I would take the 1060 out and run on the CPU's integrated graphics. Your PSU doesn't have the needed wattage or Amps to properly feed that card and I doubt you want to risk damaging a $300 card with a $25 PSU.

The PSU is the heart of the system and if it dies and sends a power surge through the system, it could take things with it. If you need the use the computer, lighten the load on the PSU as much as possible until you can get a quality one.

On a side note, never use PSU cable adapters, if the PSU doesn't have the PCIe connection needed, there is a reason for that.

Thanks. Im probably going to order this one that i found on sale. https://www.amazon.com/EVGA-WHITE-Warranty-Supply-100-W1-0500-KR/dp/B00H33SFJU/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1473981538&sr=1-1&keywords=power+supply+500w&refinements=p_n_feature_keywords_two_browse-bin%3A6906984011

Do you think its enough or still trash?

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

That EVGA is made by HEC , very poor.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

New CXM platform from Corsair and a 5 year warranty.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139146

CORSAIR CX-M series CX450 450W 80 PLUS BRONZE Haswell Ready ATX12V & EPS12V Modular Power Supply

+ 10% off w/ promo code 0913BDSHDY08, limited offer

 

[Martell1977]

It's better than what you have, buy a lot, but if you can squeeze this one into the budget:

https://www.amazon.com/EVGA-BRONZE-Warranty-Tester-100-B1-0500-KR/dp/B00DZ6R9GE/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1473983518&sr=1-1&keywords=EVGA+500W+80%2B+Bronze

I normally don't recommend these PSU's, but on a budget, it's a decent one. It ranks a Tier 3 on the reference list (though it needs updating) I linked before and if you read the description of that Tier, I think it fits. The next step up and my common recommendation is about $58.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

The Corsair listed above is better than the EVGA B.

 

[Guest]

New CXM platform from Corsair and a 5 year warranty.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139146

CORSAIR CX-M series CX450 450W 80 PLUS BRONZE Haswell Ready ATX12V & EPS12V Modular Power Supply

+ 10% off w/ promo code 0913BDSHDY08, limited offer

Those CX-M ones are pretty stable - a friend of mine bought my CX500M when I upgraded to my current one.

 

[Martell1977]

The Corsair listed above is better than the EVGA B.

Corsair finally making the CX series worth buying? That's good, the CX series have been a bit of a black eye for them. I'll have to look into it.

Hope the PSU list poster will update it or maybe Tom's assume control of it and keep it up to date. Some holes in there.

 

[Guest]

The Corsair listed above is better than the EVGA B.

Corsair finally making the CX series worth buying? That's good, the CX series have been a bit of a black eye for them. I'll have to look into it.

Hope the PSU list poster will update it or maybe Tom's assume control of it and keep it up to date. Some holes in there.

They used to be well-known for coil whine and poor quality, but the later versions (made by CWT) are much better.

 

[Martell1977]

They used to be well-known for coil whine and poor quality, but the later versions (made by CWT) are much better.

Kinda shady that they didn't use new part numbers, so people will have to be careful of what they order so not to get the older version. (I was just reading a little about them) If people get the older units, it could really hurt their rep further.

 

[Guest]

I'm not exactly sure who made the earlier versions, but I bought mine when they were being made by CWT as I was reviewing some PSUs before I bought my CX500M. The CWT ones have green tape across some components and you can see it if you shine a light through the venilation holes.