Should I get a new PSU for my HD3850 ?

G

GER

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Oct 7, 2008
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Hi guys I need your opinion on this. I just purchased a Gecube HD 3850 card, and I'm not having problems with games
but that's because i'm not pushing the graphics too high because I'm afraid i'll burn my system considering that my PSU is ATX 400W P4 with only 12A on the 12v (The hd3850 manual recommends a 500w with 30A on the 12V)

Now I had some unexpected short pauses with NFS Most Wanted on high settings 800x600, and while playiong very smoothly the C&C3 i started having the simultaneous chopping as 1-second pauses (it runs for a sec and pauses for another)
I think this is due to my low PSU wattage, SO I'm thinking of buying a new one but the weird thing is that the card is always cool at 40 degrees Celsius

I play Timeshift at 1024x768 almost everything set high very smoothly and after 3 hours of play i run SpeedFan and find that the temperature is the same as it was at windows strart up

here's a pic, i think the 40c relates to the card but maybe i'm wrong
96japt.jpg


Do you think i'm fine or should i get a new psu ( i want to know if by getting a new psu would my system's performance go up or it will stay the same)?
BTW if you want my system specs to estimate the wattage consumption, here they are:

Dual core 3.0Ghz (930 Presler)

2 sticks 512mb 667 ddr2 (thinking of upgarding to 2 sticks of 1gb)

Intel 945Gz motherboard (gma950 and Realtek audio on board)

LG 20x DVD-RW

120Gb maxtor HHD

2 side fanes 12mm




Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
If the manual recommends a 500W and you have a 400W then I think your solution is easy, get a 500W or above, a PSU is not a piece of hardware you should be cheap with.
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Or get something like the Corsair 450W with a very strong single +12v rail.
 
Yeah definitely look for a new PSU, always make sure you are over the requirement.
 
While the PSU generally doesn't affect the performance of the system, it does affect the safety, stability and reliability of your system. So even though the PSU might not be the cause of your problems, I highly recommend replacing your PSU ASAP.

But I wouldn't recommend getting the EA500 since once you factor in shipping, it's only $4 or so cheaper than the EA650 for $65 with free shipping:
Antec Earthwatts 650W PSU - $65

So either get the EA650 if you're willing to spend $65 or the Antec True Power Trio for $50 shipped:
Antec True Power Trio TP3-430 430W PSU - $50
 
Most quality 400W PSUs and above should have zero problems. But only 12A on the 12V rail is way too little. That's just 144W - The Presler CPU and 3850 require about 90W *each*. You'd want at least 20-22A on the 12V.
 
12A is very weak for a modern system, definately upgrade the PSU. You don't need anything crazy. A good 400watter is more then plenty.
 
The one that Danny mentioned is solid already. $15 more than the Antec Trio 430W its worth it to get the EA650 with 45A on the +12V. This gives you more headroom if you decide to upgrade the video card to a higher end card.
 
Tchesco said:
Look for the Thermaltake PurePower. It's an inexpensive 600 watt PSU
Click to expand...

But very low-end as well. The EA650 and TP3-430 PSUs that I linked to are of far superior quality than the Purepower 600W yet are considerably cheaper.
 
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