BFGTech 7900GT OC 256MB question

Red Falcon

Red Falcon

[H]ard DCOTM x3
2FA
Joined
May 7, 2007
Messages
13,444
Can the BFGTech 7900GT OC run without the PCI-E auxilary power connector?

I haven't OCed it beyond the company's specs and it is not modded in any way.

I know that some PCI-E gfx cards can run without this plug, though they go into a low power mode until it can be connected (i.e. the FX3450). However, some can't and give off a loud noise (i.e. the 6800GS).

I don't want to find out for myself because my system doesn't have a PCI-E power connector and my molex to PCI-E power adapter is not at my current location. That and it is a PIA to take my case apart (you know what I am talking about with this case).

I've run this card in my current system (in my sig) before with the adapter successfully, so there is no problem with that.

Also, don't recommend I get another PSU. I know my current one sux the big one, but it is all I can fit in this case at the moment without modding it.

All thanx in advance. I appreciate everyone's help.
 
....APEVIA ATX-AS420W 420 watt PSU....

this is the psu in question?

you definatly want to ditch that power supply, as soon as possible, as, right now, it is damaging components. The same can be said for all power supplies --its the nature of AC - DC conversion. Ugly, and it damages hardware that wants only DC power, but apevia takes this damage to a new extent. I'm sure that power supply, if pushed to even to 75% its rated load, will have a voltage droop and ripple so far out of spec you'll be wondering if its trying to run some new atx 3.0 standard. Combined those two are primed to kill a component of your system.

to directly answer your question: no. The aux power connector is needed. A maximum of 75W can be drawn through the pci-e slot alone, anything requiring more power then that needs an aux power connector. A 7900GT will require more power then the pci-e lanes can provide alone on a regular basis.

Again I can't stress the importance of you getting off that psu as soon as possible. Replace it with a psu with a rating of 400W or above of any model from the following companies: Corsair, Seasonic, PC P&C, Silverstone, Enermax, or FPS, and your system will live for 5X longer.

edit: ohh i see the size constraints...

Get a new case while your at it, or bust out the dremel and cut it to fit a bigger PSU. But really, that comptuer is far to awsome to be running on such poor quality power.
 
Thank you so much for your response. Ditching the PSU right after this post!

Good to know the info.

Looks like it's time to get the dremel out. ;)
 
Heh, thanx for the post!

Changed my sig (and my shitty PSU).

The one in my sig is a lot better than the Apevia one. I read the review about it you posted. My poor hardware! Damn!

I think I would have rather used a brick in its place as well...

Also, I thought those Apevia X-QPack cases can take standard ATX PSUs?
Click to expand...

They can, but the fitting is really weird.


Well, I'm using my BFGTech card now with the proper connections. Going to give that PSU to someone I don't like...

Hey pfunkman, you want a free PSU? lol
 
Ahh the SU-380. That's definitely a jump from the Apevia PSU. Should be fine for your needs.
 
Wow you upgraded to an Antec but downgraded to a 380W PSU. Isn't he starving his components for power? While we're on the PSU question is mine any good bcuz I didnt hear anyone mention Antec. I got the 500W Antec SmartPower 2.0. Thanks!
 
BX_TECH_GOD said:
Wow you upgraded to an Antec but downgraded to a 380W PSU. Isn't he starving his components for power? While we're on the PSU question is mine any good bcuz I didnt hear anyone mention Antec. I got the 500W Antec SmartPower 2.0. Thanks!
Click to expand...

LOL

I know what you're thinking. I actually have other, more powerful PSUs, just like yours only in the 550 watt range.

The last PSU had two 12v rails at 16 and 14 amps. This one has 16 and 16 amps.

My components are far from starved. My system, at max uses about 280 watts. The PSU is running luke warm. Even when gaming it is only warm at most. I've never seen it get hot or dangerously hot (like the Apevia).

So I'm more than good to go.

I could have put in my True Power 550 watt EPS12V server class PSU, but it had too many wires and I dun like cable management.

Thanx for your help and concern everyone! ;)
 
BX_TECH_GOD said:
Wow you upgraded to an Antec but downgraded to a 380W PSU. Isn't he starving his components for power? While we're on the PSU question is mine any good bcuz I didnt hear anyone mention Antec. I got the 500W Antec SmartPower 2.0. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Remember that wattage doesn't mean as much these days. What matters most is where those watts are being delivered. For current rigs, it's all about how much amps are on the +12V rail since most PC parts draw their power from there. You determine the amperage on the +12V rails by first finding out what's the total combined wattage set aside for the +12V rails alone.

Let's take a look at the PSU that Red Falcon has, the Antec SU-380. Here's the label for reference:
http://www.silentpcreview.com/files/images/antec-su380/psu3.jpg

In this case, the Antec SU-380 has 336W available on the +12V rail. Divide that total wattage for the +12V by 12 and you get how much amps the PSU has on the +12V rail. In this case, 336W divided by 12 is 28A. So the Antec SU-380 PSU has 28A on the +12V Rail. The minimum Amps you need for the 7900GT is 20A. And that's plenty of power for Red Falcon's system.

Now in your case, you may want to get a new power supply. IIRC, the Antec Smartpower 2.0 500W PSUs are a bit on the low quality side. In fact if my memory serves me right, some of them tended to die within a year or so of use. Since you have a pretty heavy system, you should get a new PSU.

Here are a few recommendations for good power supplies:
Enhance ENP-5150GH 500W PSU - $68
XCLIO Stablepower 500W PSU - $70
Corsair VX450 450W PSU - $76
Corsair VX550 550W PSU - $95
Corsair HX520 520W PSU - $106
Corsair TX650 650W PSU - $138
Corsair HX620 620W PSU - $144

However don't think that Antec power supplies are crap. The Earthwatts and Truepower Trio power supplies are of pretty good quality.
 
Now in your case, you may want to get a new power supply. IIRC, the Antec Smartpower 2.0 500W PSUs are a bit on the low quality side. In fact if my memory serves me right, some of them tended to die within a year or so of use. Since you have a pretty heavy system, you should get a new PSU.
Click to expand...

This is true. My friend has one of these. The two fans are almost dead and it has made his system very unstable... and he is running an 8800GTS with OCZ Reaper memory! Time for a new PSU! ;)

But yeah, that Apevia POS I was running was aweful. Talk about the stability. With this PSU, my system is more stable than ever before. The active PFC is nice as well.
 
Danny Bui said:
Remember that wattage doesn't mean as much these days. What matters most is where those watts are being delivered. For current rigs, it's all about how much amps are on the +12V rail since most PC parts draw their power from there. You determine the amperage on the +12V rails by first finding out what's the total combined wattage set aside for the +12V rails alone.

Let's take a look at the PSU that Red Falcon has, the Antec SU-380. Here's the label for reference:
http://www.silentpcreview.com/files/images/antec-su380/psu3.jpg

In this case, the Antec SU-380 has 336W available on the +12V rail. Divide that total wattage for the +12V by 12 and you get how much amps the PSU has on the +12V rail. In this case, 336W divided by 12 is 28A. So the Antec SU-380 PSU has 28A on the +12V Rail. The minimum Amps you need for the 7900GT is 20A. And that's plenty of power for Red Falcon's system.

Now in your case, you may want to get a new power supply. IIRC, the Antec Smartpower 2.0 500W PSUs are a bit on the low quality side. In fact if my memory serves me right, some of them tended to die within a year or so of use. Since you have a pretty heavy system, you should get a new PSU.

Here are a few recommendations for good power supplies:
Enhance ENP-5150GH 500W PSU - $68
XCLIO Stablepower 500W PSU - $70
Corsair VX450 450W PSU - $76
Corsair VX550 550W PSU - $95
Corsair HX520 520W PSU - $106
Corsair TX650 650W PSU/URL] - $138
[URL=http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=373110]Corsair HX620 620W PSU - $144

However don't think that Antec power supplies are crap. The Earthwatts and Truepower Trio power supplies are of pretty good quality.
Click to expand...

Wow thats interesting. Thanks for the info but that sucks for me now bcuz I have to get a new PSU. The only thing is I have everything neatly tucked and zip tied and would hate to take all the power cables loose to install a new PSU. Here's my question. Can I just unplug the Antec power cables from the PSU, take out the PSU and put a new PSU in its place and just plug the Antec power cables back in without having to replace the Antec power cables with the ones that come with the new PSU? If so what good PSUs are hotswappable with the Antec power cables? I believe I need a modular cable connector PSU correct? The power cables looks much different than the Corsair bcuz the Corsair power cables look like its attached to the PSU as opposed to the Antec which can be removed from the PSU. Thanks for the help guys!!
 
I can personally vouch for the Corsair 620HX. It is by far the best i've used. You can even sli 8800GTS's on it. Love that thing. Its quiet and keeps rippling to a min.
 
BX_TECH_GOD said:
Wow thats interesting. Thanks for the info but that sucks for me now bcuz I have to get a new PSU. The only thing is I have everything neatly tucked and zip tied and would hate to take all the power cables loose to install a new PSU. Here's my question. Can I just unplug the Antec power cables from the PSU, take out the PSU and put a new PSU in its place and just plug the Antec power cables back in without having to replace the Antec power cables with the ones that come with the new PSU? If so what good PSUs are hotswappable with the Antec power cables? I believe I need a modular cable connector PSU correct? The power cables looks much different than the Corsair bcuz the Corsair power cables look like its attached to the PSU as opposed to the Antec which can be removed from the PSU. Thanks for the help guys!!
Click to expand...

LOL :D

You could, depending on the PSU. But unless you know exactly what you are doing and where each cable goes, you might just fry your system.

Wait a sec, you have the Antec Smartpower with the removable cables...

Well, unless you get another PSU with the exact same power connector types, it probably won't work. If it does, then you just saved yourself a whole lot of time.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top