Toms (Lower Power) Budget Gaming Power Supply?

[AtariST]

I'm building a budget gaming PC based on Tom's Q3 $650 build. Here are the components so far:

1 - NZXT Tempest 210
2 - MSI 970A-G43 (-$15 vs G46)
3 - AMD FX-6300
4 - MSI R7850-2GD5/OC Radeon HD 7850 2GB

I may use an SSD for the primary drive and a 1TB WD for mass storage. I do NOT plan to overclock and gaming will be played at 720P so i don't think I need more video card.

My question: What power supply do I need? I'd like to keep the energy use down to a safe minimum.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Pix3lfish]

You only need a 600w psu. Even that might be more than enough

 

[Blaise170]

As long as you get an 80+ certified PSU, you don't need to worry about keeping energy use down. The 80+ standard means that at the PSU is at least 80% efficient with the power draws. Try this one.

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/antec-power-supply-hcg620m

 

[MD1987]

I would probably go with something like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151094&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10440897&PID=5961731&SID=0

Just to be safe as far as overhead is concerned and to keep it in a good efficiency range.

 

[smorizio]

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-power-supply-cmpsu750tx
price wit hrebate the same as 650w unit.

 

[jimthenagual]

You only need 500W for that system.

There is a $25 promo on the Antec HCG 520w (made by seasonic) $50.99
http://us.ncix.com/products/?usaffiliateid=1000031504&sku=67324&vpn=HCG-520M&manufacture=Antec&promoid=1089

more power than you need, but a good deal for a solid power supply.

 

[nostall]

AMD recommends a minimum of 500watts total with a minimum of 21amps on the 12v rail for a 7850 and 23amps for a 7870.
This is a pretty good deal, meet and exceeds those requirements, and is manufactured by Seasonic:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207013
XFX Core Edition PRO550W (P1-550S-XXB9) 550W ATX12V 2.2 & ESP12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
JonnyGuru.com Recommended & KitGuru.com Award Winner
$69.99
Save: $20.00 (22%)
$59.99 after $10.00 rebate card
$5.99 Shipping (restrictions apply)

If you can't buy through Newegg because of your location, look on www.amazon.co.uk.

 

[AtariST]

Well, these responses are pretty broad so I'm going to follow up with a little more info. The Newegg Power Supply Calculator says I should be able to get away with a 500w supply, barely, if I use the 7850. If I change to a 7870, it goes to 523 recommended. Odd since TomsHardware shows the two cards drawing the same power in their tests. Also odd that Tom's Q3 budget PC used the same processor and a more powerful video card (760) but only a 420w power supply (and they over clocked). Something doesn't add up.

Do you think I would be cutting it too close with this: CORSAIR CX series CX500 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027). It's only $25 after rebates and instant savings. If not, the next best deal actually looks like this Seasonic 620W (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151095) at $54.99 after rebate.

 

[Blaise170]

Well, these responses are pretty broad so I'm going to follow up with a little more info. The Newegg Power Supply Calculator says I should be able to get away with a 500w supply, barely, if I use the 7850. If I change to a 7870, it goes to 523 recommended. Odd since TomsHardware shows the two cards drawing the same power in their tests. Also odd that Tom's Q3 budget PC used the same processor and a more powerful video card (760) but only a 420w power supply (and they over clocked). Something doesn't add up.

Do you think I would be cutting it too close with this: CORSAIR CX series CX500 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027). It's only $25 after rebates and instant savings. If not, the next best deal actually looks like this Seasonic 620W (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151095) at $54.99 after rebate.

I'm currently running the 7870 GHz on an FX-6300 with a 500W PSU. You still shouldn't buy a PSU right on that "line", you should give yourself an extra 100W or so, maybe more if overclocking.

 

[AtariST]

Blaise170,

I checked out the Thermaltake and eXtreme power supply calculators (the same, I believe) and they put me at 443w. It looks like you have a very similar setup to mine. Do you not feel that the 500 is enough?

 

[Blaise170]

I'm running everything fine, not had any issues with power. I haven't tried any overclocking yet though, so I don't know how well it would hold up.