Will 350W PSU support 9800GT energy efficient edition?

[pokerfish]

Scenario:

Just picked up PNY's new 9800GT 512MB "Energy Efficient Edition" GPU (http://www3.pny.com/9800-GT-512MB-PCIe-P2814C331.aspx) today for $84.99 after rebate at Fry's, and I'm trying to decide whether to keep it.

My system is an OEM HP Pavilion Elite m9252p (http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...78&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&product=3688705&lang=en) that came with a custom Asus-built 8500GT. All in all, a relative power house with the potential to be a decent gaming rig except that HP skimped on the PSU (http://itwinkle.stores.yahoo.net/hp35posu51.html). I'm not too keen on shelling out another $50+ or so for a new PSU at the moment.

Nvidia seems to have come out with a new lower-energy-consumption version of the venerable 9800GT. The specs are slightly gimped, though probably unnoticeable in practice, compared to the conventional version, and it promises up to 30% less energy use and does not require a supplementary PCI-E power connector.

So far I've come across PNY's version and BFG's (http://www.bfgtech.com/bfgr98512gtge.aspx). Examination of the system requirements for each reveals that the PNY demands "[a] minimum 400W or greater system power supply (with a minimum 12V current rating of 26A)," while the BFG demands a "350W PCI Express®-compliant system power supply with a combined 12V current rating of 22A or more."

Otherwise, the two appear to have identical specs except that the PNY offers more out-of-the-box I/O options including a built-in S-Video connection along with DVI-VGA and DVI-HDMI adapters and an internal HDMI audio cable. The PNY seems instantly ready to hook up to an HDMI monitor or HDTV whereas the BFG requires additional adapters and cables. Between the two, I'm leaning towards the PNY mainly because of the included I/O options (I have an HDMI monitor and HDTV I plan to hook the system to), not to mention the great deal I got. But the BFG does claim to require only a 350W PSU whereas the PNY claims to require 400W.

Some web searching has revealed some folks who've supposedly been able to run the PNY card on 380W (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicat....asp?EdpNo=4588152&csid=ITD&body=REVIEWS#tabs) and even 300W (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16814133279) PSUs (see GodBunny's 6/3/2009 6:51:33 PM review), but of course all systems are different.

Given my system specs (i.e., Asus IPIBL-LB, Intel Core 2 Quad Q6700 (an energy hog?), 4GB RAM, 750 SATA HD, running Windows Vista Home Premium with Windows Media Center 64-bit edition), would it be wise to push the envelope and attempt to run the "400W minimum" PNY on my modest 350W "maximum continuous output" PSU? Does my PSU have sufficient amperage: DC Output +3.3V 15A, +5V 13A, +12V1 18A, +12V2 18A, -12V 0.8A, +5VSB 2.0A? Where the BFG requires "a combined 12V current rating of 22A or more," does that mean one adds the amperages of all 12V rails (in my case, 18A + 18A = 36A)? And more importantly, even if I can run the PNY, what is the likelihood I will be overtaxing the PSU, shortening its lifespan, and even risking catastrophic power failure that could damage other components? All your words of wisdom are appreciated. Thanks!

 

[delluser1]

Scenario:
does that mean one adds the amperages of all 12V rails (in my case, 18A + 18A = 36A)?

No , it means read the label, the 12v has a combined maximum output of 300 watts or 25 amps.

 

[MayDay94]

the card should work since you meet the minimum amps, but you are really pushing it, particularly with a no-name psu. since you already got the card, obviously try it out regardless.

i used to have an 8800gt 512mb paired with an enermax liberty 400watt psu which worked great in a matx box. the gpu's are practically the same but my psu was a reliable brand with strong 12v rails. if it doesn't work or gives problems during high stress, get a good, reliable 500watt psu from someone like corsair, antec or pc power and cooling.

 

[evongugg]

You should be fine with 25 amps on the 12v rails for the BFG or PNY.
Those are maximum power consumption figures with high end components or very conservative estimates.
I calculated you need 22 amps on the 12v rails with a 9800 GT.
The HP power supply should be fine.

 

[daedalus685]

the card should work since you meet the minimum amps, but you are really pushing it, particularly with a no-name psu. since you already got the card, obviously try it out regardless.

i used to have an 8800gt 512mb paired with an enermax liberty 400watt psu which worked great in a matx box. the gpu's are practically the same but my psu was a reliable brand with strong 12v rails. if it doesn't work or gives problems during high stress, get a good, reliable 500watt psu from someone like corsair, antec or pc power and cooling.

While in this case it is probably alright, there is no quicker way to a new paper wieght then to "try out" a new card on a questionable PSU.

 

[delluser1]

but you are really pushing it, particularly with a no-name psu.

Not really, you should Google " Delta Electronics "

 

[pokerfish]

Thanks everyone for the replies. So far the general concensus is both the PNY and BFG should be fine?

No , it means read the label, the 12v has a combined maximum output of 300 watts or 25 amps.

Thanks for clarifying. I don't have a degree in electrical engineering and it's been a while since I took basic physics. So V x A = W?

You should be fine with 25 amps on the 12v rails for the BFG or PNY.
Those are maximum power consumption figures with high end components or very conservative estimates.
I calculated you need 22 amps on the 12v rails with a 9800 GT.
The HP power supply should be fine.

All rocket science to me. So are you saying the requirements listed on the cards tend to err on the high side? Interesting that you calculated 22 amps on the 12v rails with a 9800GT. That matches BFG's number (i.e., "350W PCI Express®-compliant system power supply with a combined 12V current rating of 22A or more").


Generally speaking, when GPUs refer to wattage requirements, are they referring to maximum continuous output or the combined power on the 12v rails? In my case, these would be 350W and 300W, respectively.

Thanks again for all the advice. I'll update with how this goes if I get around to installing the PNY this weekend. I didn't mention it earlier, but this is a brand new, never-used system so hopefully all goes well on its maiden voyage.

 

[pokerfish]

Ok, so if anyone's still following this, I have a bit of a follow up question. Low and behold yesterday's Fry's ad is advertising the PNY GeForce 9800GT 1GB "standard version" (not reduced energy consumption version) for $99.99 after rebate. I've contemplated this card before, and could easily return the 512MB "Energy Efficient" version I picked up just the other day, pay another $15 and have the 1GB standard-spec card. What do you guys think?

First, how much of a real-world performance difference is there likely to be with these key spec differences?

Core Clock (MHz): 600 MHz versus 550 MHz
Fill Rate (billion pixels/sec.): 33.6 versus 30.8
Shader Clock (MHz): 1500 MHz versus 1375 MHz
Memory Amount: 1024MB GDDR3 versus 512MB GDDR3

Second, given that PNY lists the same exact PSU requirements for the 1GB card as it does for the 512MB "Energy Efficient" one (see below), will my 350W max continuous output/300W max combined output on 12V rails (@ 25A) PSU cut it?

PNY's stated PSU requirements for both cards: "Minimum 400W or greater system power supply (with a minimum 12V current rating of 26A)"

It should be noted that the 1GB card does require a supplementary connection to the PSU whereas the 512MB "Energy Efficient" one doesn't. I believe the 512MB card's average power draw is somewhere between 60-75W. The 1GB card's draw is presumably higher since it requires the supplementary connection. But I'm not sure about this.

Which one should I go with and can my system even handle the 1GB card? Thanks for any advice.

 

[Bluescreendeath]

9800GT isn't powerful enough to use 1GB of RAM

 

[cjl]

I wouldn't bother swapping it out. The difference won't be that significant, and you'll have to add a supplemental power connector.

 

[pokerfish]

But either 9800GT should be a world of difference compared to the OEM 8500GT, right?

Also if anyone has anything else to add about the power requirements of the 9800GT energy efficient/low power version, please let me know. I just want to be as sure as possible. Thanks!

 

[linkinparkfan007]

personally i'd say give it a try because the amperage is sufficent. I have a 500W with 28A on the +12V rail.
and i'm planning on upgrading to the 9800GT in the next couple days.
You should be fine since http://xbitlabs.com/articles/coolers/display/system-wattage_6.html
it is a 4850 which is more on power requirements would be fine with a 400W and yours being a 350W since you got the amperage and only requires 180W it will be fine

 

[Akuma-75]

i am using Q9550 and MSI 9800GT green power edition with 2 internal sata disks and 2 external USB disk. running 24/7 solid with enermax 350W psu. hope that helps.

 

[super17]

i am using q9450 1 sata 1 dvdrw 9800 gt synergy edition 1 gb on coolermaster 380watts with 16amps on 12v rail, the point you should understand is the max wattage for 9800 gt board. 6 pin=75 watts, the requirements are for all psu in consideration i.e. even the cheap ones.even i was suffering from budget and psu amp problem but i guess this is the best deal since no amps on 12v are required the entire amps are of the main board, to which most psu provide atleast 30 amps, so not a problem. and by the way these energy edition take round about 69 watts max which even does not voilate pci-express 1.0 for old boards. as 2.0 provides 150 watts through pci connector. i have purchased 9800 gt synergy edition and it eorks very well. although would suggest to go for ati 5670 just launched.