PSU Recommendation for GPU upgrade (R9 270x)

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leksibauer

leksibauer

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Sep 28, 2011
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Hi guys,

I'm thinking of upgrading my video card to an AMD R9 270x in the next couple of months. I don't believe I have enough power for it, so probably also need to consider a PSU upgrade - naturally, I come to you for suggestions and recommendations to this.

Future scenario: I don't overclock and don't expect to do any SLI in the future (although might be good to have the option for multi-GPU). I could also consider an additional hard drive, but very likely I would only replace one of the older ones. I do however, might like to have a PSU in case I do decide to do a computer upgrade in 2-3 years (hoping my current setup can get me so far! 😛)

From the calculations I've done with the different online PSU calculators (on some, using the HD 7870 as the R9 270x isn't yet available, which I believe is the closest), the answer varies: it goes from as low as 379W to a recommendation of a 700W PSU.

I also have a BFG Tech 550-Watt LS-550 PSU lying around that I bought a few years ago (unused, still boxed), so if that would be enough let me know.

Overall, I'd prefer not to go over $100 for one.

Here is the list of my current components:

Thanks for your help guys!
 
Solution
ko888
For a system using a single AMD Reference Design Radeon R9 270X graphics card AMD specifies a minimum of a 500 Watt or greater system power supply. The power supply should also have a maximum combined +12 Volt continuous current rating of 30 Amps or greater and have at least two 6-pin PCI Express supplementary power connectors.

For a system using two AMD Reference Design Radeon R9 270X graphics cards in 2-way CrossFireX mode AMD specifies a minimum of an 700 Watt or greater system power supply. The power supply should also have a maximum combined +12 Volt continuous current rating of 43 Amps or greater and have at...
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For a system using a single AMD Reference Design Radeon R9 270X graphics card AMD specifies a minimum of a 500 Watt or greater system power supply. The power supply should also have a maximum combined +12 Volt continuous current rating of 30 Amps or greater and have at least two 6-pin PCI Express supplementary power connectors.

For a system using two AMD Reference Design Radeon R9 270X graphics cards in 2-way CrossFireX mode AMD specifies a minimum of an 700 Watt or greater system power supply. The power supply should also have a maximum combined +12 Volt continuous current rating of 43 Amps or greater and have at least four 6-pin PCI Express supplementary power connectors.

Total Power Supply Wattage is NOT the crucial factor in power supply selection!!! Sufficient Total Combined Continuous Power/Current Available on the +12V Rail(s) rated at 45°C - 50°C ambient temperature, is the most critical factor.

Overclocking of the CPU and/or GPU(s) may require an additional increase to the maximum combined +12 Volt continuous current ratings, recommended above, to meet the increase in power required for the overclock. The additional amount required will depend on the magnitude of the overclock being attempted.

The BFG Tech LS Series 550W (LS-550) power supply unit, with its maximum combined +12 Volt continuous current rating of 41 Amps and with one 6-pin and one (6+2)-pin PCI Express supplementary power connectors, is more than sufficient to power your system configuration with a single AMD Reference Design Radeon R9 270X graphics card.

It is insufficient to power your system configuration with two AMD Reference Design Radeon R9 270X graphics cards in 2-way CrossFireX mode. It also lacks the four 6-pin PCI Express supplementary power connectors needed.
 
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Solution

Thanks for the lengthy reply. If I were to upgrade the PSU, is there any (specific) you would recommend based upon what I mentioned?
 
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What is your power supply unit budget limit amount?

Is there any preferred vendor(s) that you want to use?

Are semi-modular or modular output cables desired?
 
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I'd say around $100 are my max budget. I've used Thermaltake for the last few years, but I understand there are better ones out there nowadays (Corsair, Seasonic, Rosewill?).

Semi-modular would be good (no need for full modular), especially considering that if it's a 700W+ PSU, it'd have way too many cables to fit inside my case...

Thanks for the help,
 
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Seasonic M12II-850 Bronze (SS-850AM)
• maximum combined +12 Volt continuous current rating of 70 Amps
• four (6+2)-pin PCI Express supplementary power connectors
• 80 PLUS BRONZE Efficiency Certification
• 5 Year Limited Warranty
• $119.99 ($99.99 after $20.00 rebate)
• Link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151108

Seasonic S12G Series 650W (SSR-650RT)
• maximum combined +12 Volt continuous current rating of 54 Amps
• four (6+2)-pin PCI Express supplementary power connectors
• 80 PLUS GOLD Efficiency Certification
• 5 Year Limited Warranty
• $99.99
• Link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151137
 
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