What PSU Do I Need!?!?

[Dizzysquirrl]

So I'm building my first build, trying to save a little cash of course. I need to know what PSU I'll need, here's my components
FX 8320 (overclocking)
MSI GTX 660 Gaming
G.SKILL Ares 8gb 1866 Ram
Asus M5A97 R.2 Motherboard
1tb 7200rpm WD Harddrive
Windows 8.1
Single DVD Rom Drive
And a case with 5 fans

Now I'm looking at the Corsair CX 500watt because I'm on a budget, however I'm doubting that 500watts is going to be enough for my build. The next step up is the CX 600watt and it's $80, which might be a little high for me.

 

[gumbykid]

It is possible to run the system on a GOOD 500w PSU, since the 660 takes up about 180W.

A 600W or higher PSU is recommended, just in case you decide to add extra components or upgrade your GPU down the line. You might even be able to Xfire two 660's on a 600W. I run an OC GTX660 on an Antec 550W and haven't experienced any problems, which should more than enough wattage for you too, but it's best to be safe.

Just looking around and found this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182200
630W, 80 Plus Bronze. Rosewill isn't the best company, but they aren't the worst either. $50 after mail-in-rebate.

Heres a Corsair 600W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139048
$50 after mail-in-rebate.

Lastly here's another corsair, running at 750W for $70
http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Builder-Series-Bronze-Certified/dp/B008RJZQSW/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1392482451&sr=8-4&keywords=corsair+psu

Idk where you got your prices from, but these are some decent ones. I recommend the Corsair ones over the Rosewill. The 750W is a steal, but since you're on a budget i'd get the 600W Corsair.

 

[verma1891]

550W will give you enough headroom.
Heres a good one-http://pcpartpicker.com/part/xfx-power-supply-p1550sxxb9

If you are on a tight budget, this one is good too-http://pcpartpicker.com/part/thermaltake-power-supply-sp550pcbus

 

[Traciatim]

In general for single video card machines a 500 watt supply will be fine. Even if you push the 8320 quite a bit you probably aren't going to use much more than 200 watts for that if you peg it with something like Prime95, and then 150 or so for the video card would put you at 350 (and that's from the wall) and that's probably over estimating . . . as long as you are going for something decently reliable and not some 20 dollar thing you found on the back of a truck the 500 should be fine.

 

[TheRevo]

You will have no problem with the CX500, as it is a well manufactured PSU, i have the 600watt version for my 8320 + GTX770 and it works wonders.

Its always good to have a bigger PSU than you need, just for expansion purposes but if its not in your budget, its not necessary. i didnt have enough in my budget when i built my pc and every worked out A ok.

good luck with your first build btw

 

[Memhorder]

what kind of cooling? Check <a href="http://www.extreme.outervision.com/PSUEngine">HERE</a> Says 444W so 500W should do it but cutting it close go for 600

 

[Traciatim]

what kind of cooling? Check <a href="http://www.extreme.outervision.com/PSUEngine">HERE</a> Says 444W so 500W should do it but cutting it close go for 600

Those things always WAY over estimate. For instance my own machine says 409 watts on that site, but my watts up pro watt meter says my machine peaks at 300 watts from the wall, which means for my 90% efficient power supply it's actually supplying 270 watts to the machine.

 

[toyftw]

So I'm building my first build, trying to save a little cash of course. I need to know what PSU I'll need, here's my components
FX 8320 (overclocking)
MSI GTX 660 Gaming
G.SKILL Ares 8gb 1866 Ram
Asus M5A97 R.2 Motherboard
1tb 7200rpm WD Harddrive
Windows 8.1
Single DVD Rom Drive
And a case with 5 fans

Now I'm looking at the Corsair CX 500watt because I'm on a budget, however I'm doubting that 500watts is going to be enough for my build. The next step up is the CX 600watt and it's $80, which might be a little high for me.

Hi - more than enough and you're not cutting it close. A system with a gtx660 should have at least
24 +12v rail(s) amps available. The CPU, GPU, HDD, etc draw their current from the +12v rail(s).
The cx500 has 38 +12v amps avail., more than enough for you to do what you wish with that system.

Personally, I'd prefer a step up in quality from budget level PSU's, but your own budget dictates which
way you go, and the CX500 is plenty for that system.

 

[Memhorder]

what kind of cooling? Check <a href="http://www.extreme.outervision.com/PSUEngine">HERE</a> Says 444W so 500W should do it but cutting it close go for 600

Those things always WAY over estimate. For instance my own machine says 409 watts on that site, but my watts up pro watt meter says my machine peaks at 300 watts from the wall, which means for my 90% efficient power supply it's actually supplying 270 watts to the machine.

But you need headroom for stability. And the CX series is Bronze Efficiency. It never hurts to overkill with PSU

 

[verma1891]

what kind of cooling? Check <a href="http://www.extreme.outervision.com/PSUEngine">HERE</a> Says 444W so 500W should do it but cutting it close go for 600

Those things always WAY over estimate. For instance my own machine says 409 watts on that site, but my watts up pro watt meter says my machine peaks at 300 watts from the wall, which means for my 90% efficient power supply it's actually supplying 270 watts to the machine.

But you need headroom for stability. And the CX series is Bronze Efficiency. It never hurts to overkill with PSU

A 500W PSU will always supply 500W max power. Efficiency has nothing to do with it.

 

[Traciatim]

what kind of cooling? Check <a href="http://www.extreme.outervision.com/PSUEngine">HERE</a> Says 444W so 500W should do it but cutting it close go for 600

Those things always WAY over estimate. For instance my own machine says 409 watts on that site, but my watts up pro watt meter says my machine peaks at 300 watts from the wall, which means for my 90% efficient power supply it's actually supplying 270 watts to the machine.

But you need headroom for stability. And the CX series is Bronze Efficiency. It never hurts to overkill with PSU

I agree that it never hurts to go bigger . . . but even if you want to run at 60-70% capacity (since 60-70% is about where efficiency peaks in most cases) and his machine uses somewhere in the 300-350 watt range a 500 watt is just about perfect. That, of course, assumes it's a fairly reliable and well built supply.

 

[Memhorder]

If your planning on upgrading in the future and not want to have to buy a PSU, Get one that will handle it

 

[verma1891]

I think you guys are getting efficiency all wrong. 80% efficiency doesnot mean that a 500W PSU will supply only 80% i.e 400W of power.

 

[Traciatim]

I think you guys are getting efficiency all wrong. 80% efficiency doesnot mean that a 500W PSU will supply only 80% i.e 400W of power.

No, but almost all power usage charts you see online are measured wall side. So you have to keep that in mind when looking at power charts online. An 80% efficient supply using 500 watts from the wall is actually supplying 400 watts to the machine and expending 100 watts of heat.

 

[Memhorder]

what kind of cooling? Check <a href="http://www.extreme.outervision.com/PSUEngine">HERE</a> Says 444W so 500W should do it but cutting it close go for 600

Those things always WAY over estimate. For instance my own machine says 409 watts on that site, but my watts up pro watt meter says my machine peaks at 300 watts from the wall, which means for my 90% efficient power supply it's actually supplying 270 watts to the machine.

But you need headroom for stability. And the CX series is Bronze Efficiency. It never hurts to overkill with PSU

I agree that it never hurts to go bigger . . . but even if you want to run at 60-70% capacity (since 60-70% is about where efficiency peaks in most cases) and his machine uses somewhere in the 300-350 watt range a 500 watt is just about perfect. That, of course, assumes it's a fairly reliable and well built supply.

Actually my mistake the setup is like 394W and suggests 444W supply if that exists. My bad. Yeah 500W is great. Lot's of headroom

 

[verma1891]

I think you guys are getting efficiency all wrong. 80% efficiency doesnot mean that a 500W PSU will supply only 80% i.e 400W of power.

No, but almost all power usage charts you see online are measured wall side. So you have to keep that in mind when looking at power charts online. An 80% efficient supply using 500 watts from the wall is actually supplying 400 watts to the machine and expending 100 watts of heat.

I think u are mistaken. A 500W PSU will suck in more watts to provide 500W. i.e an 80% efficient PSU will be gulping 625 W to provide 500W.

 

[ahmedkhalifa1999]

The CX500 is more than enough

 

[Memhorder]

I think you guys are getting efficiency all wrong. 80% efficiency doesnot mean that a 500W PSU will supply only 80% i.e 400W of power.

No, but almost all power usage charts you see online are measured wall side. So you have to keep that in mind when looking at power charts online. An 80% efficient supply using 500 watts from the wall is actually supplying 400 watts to the machine and expending 100 watts of heat.

I think u are mistaken. A 500W PSU will suck in more watts to provide 500W. i.e an 80% efficient PSU will be gulping 625 W to provide 500W.

Indeed. Verma is right.

 

[verma1891]

I think you guys are getting efficiency all wrong. 80% efficiency doesnot mean that a 500W PSU will supply only 80% i.e 400W of power.

No, but almost all power usage charts you see online are measured wall side. So you have to keep that in mind when looking at power charts online. An 80% efficient supply using 500 watts from the wall is actually supplying 400 watts to the machine and expending 100 watts of heat.

I think u are mistaken. A 500W PSU will suck in more watts to provide 500W. i.e an 80% efficient PSU will be gulping 625 W to provide 500W.

Indeed. Verma is right.

Thanks for the testimonial. Here's third party proof 😀
http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/how-does-psu-efficiency-affect-me-and-do-i-really-need-an-80-plus-gold-power-supply.129456/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/80_Plus

 

[Traciatim]

I think you guys are getting efficiency all wrong. 80% efficiency doesnot mean that a 500W PSU will supply only 80% i.e 400W of power.

No, but almost all power usage charts you see online are measured wall side. So you have to keep that in mind when looking at power charts online. An 80% efficient supply using 500 watts from the wall is actually supplying 400 watts to the machine and expending 100 watts of heat.

I think u are mistaken. A 500W PSU will suck in more watts to provide 500W. i.e an 80% efficient PSU will be gulping 625 W to provide 500W.

Indeed. Verma is right.

Which is also exactly what I said, just using different numbers.