R9 290 possible with i5 3700k on a 520w Seasonic bronze?

[ser_renely]

From what I have read or researched it seems this would probably be on the cusp or working. Some say no problem, some say don't risk it. Most of the online sites that allow you to gauge your power consumption seem to indicate it would be fine, but I wanted other peoples opinions, real world experience etc...

8gb of ram
an SSD and one 7200rpm drive.
a few usb connections.
Thoughts?

Thanks.

 

[clutchc]

That's a 300W card before OC'ing. The PSU has a pair of 20 amp +12V rails rated at 480W. Along with the 77W CPU (before OC'ing), it is getting to the point there isn't much headroom left with the rest of the system's +12V loads. And at 80% efficiency, you are probably getting close to the margin. If you OC at all, I'd say grab a new PSU. The positive aspect, is that the Seasonic is a well made PSU. It probably wouldn't destroy anything if it became overloaded. It would just cause shut downs or reboots.

 

[ser_renely]

Thanks for the input.

I will probably not be OC, at least not with this PSU.

I was trying to figure out the rails for my psu. This is the exact one I have, I think it may only have one rail?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151094

Just need to decide on this or the 970.... $250-ish for the 290 is pretty good imo, even with power, heat.

 

[whiteknights]

it will be very close, your system will barely have a room left ..but as for risks, i don't think there is risks with Seasonic ..your system will shutdown.

 

[clutchc]

Thanks for the input.

I will probably not be OC, at least not with this PSU.

I was trying to figure out the rails for my psu. This is the exact one I have, I think it may only have one rail?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...


Just need to decide on this or the 970.... $250-ish for the 290 is pretty good imo, even with power, heat.

The GTX 970 (if affordable) is the way to go, hands down. Better performance in most games than the R9-290 and at only 145W. Your current PSU will be fine with the power-sipping GTX 970.
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/product/1355?vs=1068

 

[smeezekitty]

That is pushing it closer then I would recommend. I would say a good 600w is the minimum

 

[clutchc]

That is pushing it closer then I would recommend. I would say a good 600w is the minimum

Not if he goes with the GTX 970. The 970 uses less power than an R9-270 which also only requires one 6 pin connector.

 

[ser_renely]

I could easily afford the 970, but being somewhat frugal, the 290 at $250-ish with Civilization and the 3 extra games is a nice sweetener....unless of course I then have to buy a new PSU! lol.

I guess if I bought a 290 and it was not enough power, what are the negatives for my system(other than my computer shutting down)?

I could wait for the 390 or a lower price on the 970. I just can't see the 390 being as cheap as the 970, nor do I see the 970 being less than $299 anytime soon...but I am sure the 390 price will depend on the benchmarks etc...

Thank you all(clutchc) for the input so far.

 

[clutchc]

The negatives (if you had a cheap PSU) would be the PSU dying catastrophically and taking out something else connected to it. Btw, that link to your PSU just takes me to the home page for some reason.

The choice of card will have to be decided by you. Like you said, the added cost of the new PSU will wipe out any savings on the less expensive card and free game.

 

[ser_renely]

hmmmm, user error, I guess!!

See if this works...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151094

 

[clutchc]

hmmmm, user error, I guess!!

See if this works...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151094

OK, that's the one I assumed it was. 2 x 20A +12V rails rated at 480W. I pretty much stand by my above suggestions.

 

[ser_renely]

Thank you.

Seems the rational decision is the 970 - I also have a smaller case. I will check out Black Friday and see if anything for the 970 makes it more alluring....or maybe the 290 gets even more cheap...I see I can get a 600 PSU Corsair for like 30$ after rebates etc... not sure if that would be enough. Going down a a bit in quality - I believe?

no idea why they game packages turn my head so much. It is impressive.

 

[clutchc]

Thank you.

Seems the rational decision is the 970 - I also have a smaller case. I will check out Black Friday and see if anything for the 970 makes it more alluring....or maybe the 290 gets even more cheap...I see I can get a 600 PSU Corsair for like 30$ after rebates etc... not sure if that would be enough. Going down a a bit in quality - I believe?

no idea why they game packages turn my head so much. It is impressive.

Depending on which Corsair 600W you are considering, yes... you could be going down in quality.

 

[ser_renely]

This "seems" well priced... might still need to go higher W. Black Friday should yield something, if I need to go a new psu route....ughhh

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139048&cm_re=corsair_psu-_-17-139-048-_-Product

Thanks.

 

[clutchc]

This "seems" well priced... might still need to go higher W. Black Friday should yield something, if I need to go a new psu route....ughhh

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139048&cm_re=corsair_psu-_-17-139-048-_-Product

Thanks.

Yeah, that would definitely be going down in quality compared to Seasonic. The Corsair CX line is OK, but it is their low end line. And supposedly has weak capacitors. (although my experience with that line building budget gamers has been fine)
Here is a guide to go by when choosing a PSU make/model: https://community.newegg.com/eggxpert/computer_hardware/f/135081/t/45344.aspx?Redirected=true
It's relatively recent, but not quite up to date.

But if you go for the GTX 970, you can keep using the Seasonic...

 

[mlga91]

The 20A per rail sounds a bit weak for the 290, even though is a quality psu, you'll be pushing it too far, if i were you, i'd follow clutchc's advice and get a 970, it will be a $20-30 bucks difference between the 290 plus another quality psu and the 970, and that difference will pay itself in a few months on the power bill.