RAM power usage

[polis_putrus]

Hello, Im currently in the process of upgrading my computer and I need to know, since the wattage of all my parts comes very close to the max the cpu can handle, if each DDR2 ram stick used 4 watts total, would they use 4 watts even if they werent being used by the computer, for example, if I had 4X2GB, and 4GB of the ram were being used, would the last 2 ram sticks be using 4 watts?

 

[rhoban]

CPU and GPU use the most power.
Don't think RAM uses that much power.
Also, it's a very bad idea to run your PSU at maximum capacity.

 

[polis_putrus]

ok, but my psu is 275w and the 12v rail has 204 watts max, and after upgrading, it will be about 200 watts power usage, I too think its unsafe but I have nothing else to do.

 

[k1114]

It'll likely die soon and you may have no pc at all. A psu is something that can be re-used so even if you are low on funds to upgrade, it can be used later when you have more money to upgrade. Whatever other upgrades you want should take a back seat. I don't see why anyone would risk killing everything and wasting all that money.

 

[polis_putrus]

hmm, ok so my current graphics card is AMD Radeon R5 240 1GBit uses 50 watts, I will upgrade it to the GT 1030 2GB this one uses 30 watts, after that the wattage should be safe right, because 20 watts less means, instead of a total of 200 watts it will be about 180w and also I did include the motherboard wattage in the 180w its an old motherboard so it would use about 30 watts, so would this be safe.

 

[jdcranke07]

You are using too much power for that PSU. A PSU has an efficiency curve just like everything else. If you push it to the max and keep it there, it will fry. Why are you only using a 275W PSU & caring about the wattage of DRAM and wanting to base your upgrades on being too scared to over draw your PSU? There are 1U PSUs, FlexATX PSUs, & SFX PSUs that are more powerful than 275W. So, size is not an issue anymore. Upgrade your PSU to have a couple hundred watts over what your system needs at least and stop fretting about squeezing every little watt out of your tiny PSU.

 

[polis_putrus]

My computer is an Optiplex 745 Small Form Factor, and the PSU is proprietary, I was thinking about getting PSU that had more watts but is smaller so it would fit in.

 

[k1114]

If you are right about how many watts it is, it should be fine. What's the specs of the pc?

 

[polis_putrus]

Its an Optiplex 745 Small Form Factor, currently: Core 2 Duo E6400 2.13Ghz, AMD Radeon R5 240 1GB Low Profile, 1X80GB Harddrive, 4X2GB DDR2 RAM, I disconnected the CD drive.

 

[jdcranke07]

My computer is an Optiplex 745 Small Form Factor, and the PSU is proprietary, I was thinking about getting PSU that had more watts but is smaller so it would fit in.

Can you post the model number or some more info on the PSU. There are a few replacements that I have found listed that are ATX12V, ATX, & ATX12V/EPS12V all saying they can fit your model.

 

[polis_putrus]

Its 275 watts what type of PSU info do you want, I will provide it but I dont know what to say but that 275 watts. This is how it looks, if you can show me one that has the same connectors, BUT is smaller rather then bigger and has more watts then the current one (so that it will fit) THAT WOULD BE GREAT. Thanks

 

[k1114]

It is proprietary although similar to tfx. You could change case but I wouldn't bother. The cpu is hardly enough to even handle a 1030 so why get a more powerful card. I have a similar dell with the same mobo and cpu but it's the mt. You'd want to get a c2q if you upgrade to a higher gpu but that's just more wasted money.

 

[polis_putrus]

I was actualy planning on getting a Core 2 Quad Q6700, thats why I brought up this question, after the upgrade, Core 2 Quad Q6700, GT 1030 the wattage get VERY close, the 12 volt rail has 204 watts, the load wattage after the upgrade is 200-205. Thanks

 

[k1114]

I wouldn't suggest it. How much does the cpu cost?

 

[polis_putrus]

Sorry for the late replies, the Core 2 Quad Q6700 is just $18 on ebay, the GT 1030 GDDR5 2GB is $85 on ebay, I did buy a Q6600 before I knew the Q6700 was comparable, right now it's just sitting sitting on my bookshelf in a plastic bag, it wouldn't be safe to put it in because I currently have an R5 240 (50w) in my computer when I upgrade to the 1030 (30w) the it will be safe to put in the quad and also, the load wattage isn't 200 it's actually, with the Core 2 Quad and GT 1030, 193 watts, this includes the Motherboard, Ram, and Hard drive. Thanks

 

[jdcranke07]

Sorry for the late replies, the Core 2 Quad Q6700 is just $18 on ebay, the GT 1030 GDDR5 2GB is $85 on ebay, I did buy a Q6600 before I knew the Q6700 was comparable, right now it's just sitting sitting on my bookshelf in a plastic bag, it wouldn't be safe to put it in because I currently have an R5 240 (50w) in my computer when I upgrade to the 1030 (30w) the it will be safe to put in the quad and also, the load wattage isn't 200 it's actually, with the Core 2 Quad and GT 1030, 193 watts, this includes the Motherboard, Ram, and Hard drive. Thanks

No offense & forgive me if your circumstance dictates you have to keep this current rig, but it sounds like you just need to get a newer build that is more up-to-date. With the money you're spending on those outdated parts, you could be spending it on parts that will bring you into the current decade.
Go look for PCs that businesses are selling due to upgrading & gut the chassis' to put those parts in another one you want & will hold the equipment you want/need.

This is way too much worry to be considered comfortable for 10+ year old equipment.

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/jDCLKB

That link has a PC fully built under $600 USD that will do absolutely whatever you need within reason.

 

[polis_putrus]

Sorry for the late replies, the Core 2 Quad Q6700 is just $18 on ebay, the GT 1030 GDDR5 2GB is $85 on ebay, I did buy a Q6600 before I knew the Q6700 was comparable, right now it's just sitting sitting on my bookshelf in a plastic bag, it wouldn't be safe to put it in because I currently have an R5 240 (50w) in my computer when I upgrade to the 1030 (30w) the it will be safe to put in the quad and also, the load wattage isn't 200 it's actually, with the Core 2 Quad and GT 1030, 193 watts, this includes the Motherboard, Ram, and Hard drive. Thanks

No offense & forgive me if your circumstance dictates you have to keep this current rig, but it sounds like you just need to get a newer build that is more up-to-date. With the money you're spending on those outdated parts, you could be spending it on parts that will bring you into the current decade.
Go look for PCs that businesses are selling due to upgrading & gut the chassis' to put those parts in another one you want & will hold the equipment you want/need.

This is way too much worry to be considered comfortable for 10+ year old equipment.

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/jDCLKB

That link has a PC fully built under $600 USD that will do absolutely whatever you need within reason.

I recently purchased a Dell Precision Tower T5810, and its great, plays most games at 60fps (GTA 5, Fortnite, and many more), so theres no need to upgrade this one, although I still might upgrade the old one, so me and my brother can play lan multiplayer games, thanks a lot for the help anyways.