PSU vs GPU

[irishguy42]

Hello!

So, I know people have been asking about this a lot: I have a Corsair RM550 PSU, still within the return/refund time period (middle of April). Build isn't 100% put together (GPU comes in today).

I have a MSI GTX 760. I know the PSU can handle this. However, looking down the road, do you think I could get an upgrade or two out of this? Would I need to upgrade the PSU? Or should I just hold onto the RM550 and GTX 760 for a few years and upgrade both later on?

I don't plan on overclocking or SLI. PCPartPicker says I will draw ~350W, though I feel like it will draw closer to 400/425.

CPU: i5-4570
PSU: Corsair RM550
GPU: MSI TF GTX 760
M/B: Biostar Hi-Fi B85S+

I only have the two cases fans that came with my case (CM N200), one WD Blue 1TB, an ODD, and an IEEE 1394a card (requires molex connection). I plan to maybe get another HDD, or an SSD.

Should I return the PSU I have now, and get a 650W, like the RM650? Or something cheaper but still 650W and 80+ Gold?

 

[SlitWeaver]

FWIW, the EVGA Hadron Air comes with a 500W (80+ Gold too) PSU. That can handle an i7 and 780 Ti.

 

[irishguy42]

FWIW, the EVGA Hadron Air comes with a 500W (80+ Gold too) PSU. That can handle an i7 and 780 Ti.

An i7 AND 780 Ti? What is the actual draw for that (assuming there is a build to go along with that)? That's impressive if it does that, along with the M/B and a few HDDs/ODD/SSD.

 

[CraigN]

PCPartpicker's estimate is closer to correct.

If you want to use the PSU for more upgrades down the road, it never hurts to buy a better/bigger PSU. However, for the short term, the PSU and the graphics card will be more than sufficient.

 

[CraigN]

http://forum-en.msi.com/faq/article/printer/power-requirements-for-graphics-cards

I wouldn't necessarily recommend a 500W PSU for a 780 Ti. Yes, it's possible, and doable, but you're not giving it a lot of power headroom and operating at 80-90% of it's capacity isn't healthy for the life of the PSU.

Not to mention the Hadron Air can only supply up to 40Amps of the minimum recommended 42Amps on the +12V rail. I would personally get a 550W or better

 

[irishguy42]

PCPartpicker's estimate is closer to correct.

If you want to use the PSU for more upgrades down the road, it never hurts to buy a better/bigger PSU. However, for the short term, the PSU and the graphics card will be more than sufficient.

I think I am probably going to want to stick with the 760/RM550, as I feel like this first computer build is a big present to myself (tax return + some OT past couple of weeks + 5 year old laptop is starting to show it's age) but not a big enough present where I want to have it be the "be all end all" machine. Just something to carry me through several years without major upgrades to GPU/PSU/CPU.

Gotta go back to saving up money for the car/student loans.

 

[CraigN]

I think that's the best move. There's no reason to go buying huge power unless youre going to be swapping parts fairly soon. Enjoy your upgrades and happy gaming

 

[RobCrezz]

Youll be fine. Cards are becoming more power efficient, so when the next gen come out youll be able to get better performance for the same power usage.

 

[SlitWeaver]

FWIW, the EVGA Hadron Air comes with a 500W (80+ Gold too) PSU. That can handle an i7 and 780 Ti.

An i7 AND 780 Ti? What is the actual draw for that (assuming there is a build to go along with that)? That's impressive if it does that, along with the M/B and a few HDDs/ODD/SSD.

As long as you're not overclocking, an i7-4770K and GTX 780 Ti would only draw 334W of power max. You'd be hard pressed to use an additional 166W of power with what can go in this case. Internally there's only two fans, two harddrive bays, and a slim slot-load ODD bay.

Edit: If you look at my current build in my signature (or just click this link), with all that junk in my computer (not including external HDDs), I only use a maximum of 296W. And I doubt I ever even come close to that usage.

 

[irishguy42]

I think that's the best move. There's no reason to go buying huge power unless youre going to be swapping parts fairly soon. Enjoy your upgrades and happy gaming

Will do! And thanks! I am eagerly looking forward to it!

 

[irishguy42]

FWIW, the EVGA Hadron Air comes with a 500W (80+ Gold too) PSU. That can handle an i7 and 780 Ti.

An i7 AND 780 Ti? What is the actual draw for that (assuming there is a build to go along with that)? That's impressive if it does that, along with the M/B and a few HDDs/ODD/SSD.

As long as you're not overclocking, an i7-4770K and GTX 780 Ti would only draw 334W of power max. You'd be hard pressed to use an additional 166W of power with what can go in this case. Internally there's only two fans, two harddrive bays, and a slim slot-load ODD bay.

Edit: If you look at my current build in my signature (or just click this link), with all that junk in my computer (not including external HDDs), I only use a maximum of 296W. And I doubt I ever even come close to that usage.

Wow! Nice.