Power limitation of GPU upgrade

[pcnewb71]

Hi, I am looking to upgrade my GPU from a GTX 660 to a GTX 970 (unless anyone else has some GPU suggestions but back on topic.) But I have a few concerns regarding power for it, I was told there is a bit more to a PSU than just the wattage on the PSU it's self so I was wondering if my current PSU would be able to power the new card or not.
My specifications are - Intel I5 4690
- GTX 660
- Xigmatek VC 503 500W PSU (really unsure on any more info for this)
With this in mind (I hope this is enough information) I would appreciate some advice into this matter as I don't have a good understanding of this at all. As far as I have seen the recommended wattage is 500 for the 970 but only 450 for the 660 however the actual GPU consumption only increases by 5 (from 660 to 970.) I hope someone here can offer me some advice into this matter so I can make a informed choice into my purchase.
Thanks in advance.

 

[rhysiam]

A good 500W PSU is fine for that rig, but the issue is that there are many junk PSUs out there with misleading labelling which you absolutely do NOT want to pair with any half-valuable hardware.

Can you find the model number of your PSU?
According to the PSU tier list: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2547993/psu-tier-list.html
Xigmatek do make a "Maverick S 500W" unit which was put in tier 3 - which is decent enough given you'll rarely be drawing more than 300W on it. But perhaps your unit is a different model?

Post the model number of your unit (it will be printed on the unit somewhere) and you should get some better info.

 

[pcnewb71]

I have given it a look and apparently this is the PSU I have - http://www.xigmatek.com/product.php?productid=41

 

[rhysiam]

I have given it a look and apparently this is the PSU I have - http://www.xigmatek.com/product.php?productid=41

I can't find any proper reputable reviews for that power supply. But it should probably be labelled a 400W PSU (it can provide just 380W on the 12V rails). It doesn't seem to have any 80+ rating, which doesn't necessarily mean it's poor quality (80+ is a measure of efficiency, not quality), but almost every half decent unit on the market has been put through the 80+ certification process.

The only sort-of review I can find of it is this one where it blew up during testing once it was subjected to a decent (but not excessive) load: http://www.hardwareinsights.com/wp/xigmatek-no-rules-power-nrp-vc503-500w/

There's no way I'd put that PSU near your nice Haskell i5 and GTX 970... that hardware is too good to risk with a budget PSU. Post your country and (if applicable) a preferred online retailed and I (or someone else) can make some suggestions. You only need 550W max, so a decent unit shouldn't set you back too much at all.

 

[pcnewb71]

If you don't mind then, any suggestion on a new PSU, i live in the UK ? And I have been using it for over two years so far and no issues at all with my one so I am surprised to see that, guess I made the right call to educate my self rather than subject expensive hardware to cheaper power solutions.
I found this one and was wondering if it was a decent choice
http://www.ebuyer.com/702009-corsair-vs-series-550-watt-power-supply-vs550-cp-9020097-uk?utm_source=google&utm_medium=products&gclid=Cj0KEQjwo7auBRCOtoqn_s-G7aMBEiQAxArNrL2cLIWcdlVorzS7aA8HTP5gj3-wPwSLzuwROW0Rat8aAo938P8HAQ#fo_c=951&fo_k=9f125e88ed5b3ac9e0885c0b2e73dc14&fo_s=gplauk&mkwid=s5Vvk5R5Q_dc&pcrid=51482424299&pkw=&pmt=

 

[rhysiam]

You might be fine with that PSU, but it's just not worth the risk IMHO.

Get this XFX 550W unit for just a couple of pounds more than the corsair, it's a much better unit: http://www.ebuyer.com/715869-xfx-ts-series-550w-power-supply-unit-80-plus-bronze-certified-oem-p1-550s-gren