Out-dated PSU - multiple questions

[Mattia Salsi]

So, I've got this gaming PC since 2013 and it's been doing me good but obviously I thought it was time to upgrade the graphics card on it. The name of the PC is the Gaming Armour Elite, the link to specs: http://qubeelectronics.co.uk/computers/desktop-pc-s/gaming-pc-s/cyberpower-gaming-armour-elite.html

I wanted to upgrade my GTX 660 to a GTX 970. I did a bit of research and found my motherboard was compatible, but I found that my PSU only has one 6pin PCI-E connector. Specs for PSU are here: http://www.overclock.co.uk/product/Coolermaster-RS-500-PCAP-I3--500W-Elite-PSU-8pin-ATX-1x-6pin-PCI-E-OEM_46542.html

I know that the GTX 970 requires an eight pin and a six pin, and so now I'm kind of stuck. My questions are:
1) Are there adapters to convert some of my existing connectors into eight pins?
2) If question 1 is no, then what is an affordable PSU that I can upgrade to that is compatible with a GTX 970 (2 six pins atleast)

Thank you!

 

[Mr Kagouris]

What exactly would "affordable" be for you? Also what online store would you buy from?

 

[Darkbreeze]

Different models require different connectors, even within the same model family. Some GTX 970's need one of each, some might need only two six pins, etc., but regardless, a decent PSU will most likely have either any possible individual connectors or at least have two to four 6+2 connectors so that whether you need six or eight pin connectors, you have them.

You do not want to use any kind of adapters. If the PSU is capable and should be used with a card requiring particular connectors, it will have them. If it doesn't, it shouldn't be used.

What is your budget for a PSU and do you have any preference of the unit being a standard hard wired unit or being modular. Modular or semi-modular units are extremely nice to have, but if you can live with a unit that isn't modular, they're generally somewhat less expensive.

 

[Mattia Salsi]

What exactly would "affordable" be for you? Also what online store would you buy from?

I was hoping in the range of £30-40 or in dollars $45-60. I'm from the UK so I'd be looking to buy from UK based online store's like www.ebuyer.com, or anything UK based.

 

[Darkbreeze]

Generally speaking, as a base guide, any Tier 1 or Tier 2 unit listed at the following link, of 500w or higher, should be suitable for a GTX 970 and will be of good quality. Anything less than Tier 2 is a crapshoot.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2547993/psu-tier-list.html

 

[Mattia Salsi]

Different models require different connectors, even within the same model family. Some GTX 970's need one of each, some might need only two six pins, etc., but regardless, a decent PSU will most likely have either any possible individual connectors or at least have two to four 6+2 connectors so that whether you need six or eight pin connectors, you have them.

You do not want to use any kind of adapters. If the PSU is capable and should be used with a card requiring particular connectors, it will have them. If it doesn't, it shouldn't be used.

What is your budget for a PSU and do you have any preference of the unit being a standard hard wired unit or being modular. Modular or semi-modular units are extremely nice to have, but if you can live with a unit that isn't modular, they're generally somewhat less expensive.

I was looking for between £30-40 or $45-60. I don't mind it being non-modular considering the one I have right now isn't either.

 

[Darkbreeze]

Trying to find you one, but PC Partpicker is apparently getting slammed right now. I'll post a recommendation as soon as it comes up.

 

[Mr Kagouris]

Checking PCPartpicker as well atm. No idea why it's got so much traffic.

 

[Mr Kagouris]

Not much within your budget. This could just about run your 970 but not any room for expansion: https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-power-supply-100b10500kr

If you're willing to pay a few more pennies to get a better PSU (which I highly recommend) there's also this unit which could support a second GPU: https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-power-supply-110b10750vr

darkbreeze might find a better choice though so wait for him/her to respond too.

 

[Darkbreeze]

Honestly though, I think from what little bit I could glean off PCPP, your best bet is likely to be the 550w XFX non-modular 80plus Bronze model. All XFX units are made by Seasonic and are of high quality, good reliability and that model has two 6+2 pin PCI connectors. I think that is the least expensive model I was seeing but it's a bit more than you were wanting to spend, in the £52.00 range. All of the lesser models are rather "at your own risk" and while there are certainly less expensive models, it's not worth saving £5-10 for a unit that's probably not going to last 5 to 10 years due to poor capacitor selection or other internal issues.

 

[Darkbreeze]

Nah, I'd never run an EVGA B1, G1 NEX or W1 series unit with any high end discreet graphics card. I promise it will not last long under gaming conditions. For EVGA you would want to stick with the B2, G2, P2 or GS units.

 

[Mr Kagouris]

Nah, I'd never run an EVGA B1 or W1 series unit with any high end discreet graphics card. I promise it will not last long under gaming conditions. For EVGA you would want to stick with the B2, G2, P2 or GS units.

Fair enough. Cheapest XFX unit with reasonable wattage is this: https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/xfx-power-supply-p1750gts3x

 

[Darkbreeze]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply (£51.36 @ CCL Computers)
Total: £51.36
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-12-25 22:17 GMT+0000

 

[Mattia Salsi]

Thank you both very much for the detailed responses, will be looking at both of the PSU's that you linked

 

[Mr Kagouris]

Thank you both very much for the detailed responses, will be looking at both of the PSU's that you linked

Go for either of the XFX units, although I'd recommend the higher wattage one so you don't have to upgrade again if you want to get a second GPU or some such upgrade.

 

[Mattia Salsi]

Hey Guys, I've looked at both of the PSU's but noticed that because they're both non-modular, a lot of those cables would not be in use e.g. Lot's of the SATA cables and more. and it would cause a big mess in my case particularly because I'm not very good at cable management. I've been looking at lots of different semi-modular and modular PSU's and decided that my best bet would probably be a semi-modular instead of a non-modular.

I've tried searching for some but really cannot cut them down and can't decide which is best. Any way you guys can help out and find a couple of semi-modular's for me? I can go for £60-75 considering they cost a little bit more.

Thanks

 

[Darkbreeze]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Power Supply: XFX 650W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply (£62.98 @ Aria PC)
Total: £62.98
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-12-26 20:39 GMT+0000