Do I need a new PSU?

[ZoNe]

Hi there! I am assembling a new PC and was wondering is my current PSU is sufficient.

Current PSU is Corsair HX 520 which list 12V rail(s) as follows.
+12V1 - 18A
+12V2 - 18A
+12V3 - 18A

Will this be okay to power the following overclocked system or do I need a new PSU? Note overclocked settings are what I am hoping for.

1 x 2500K @ 4.5ish
1 x 6970 @ higher
2 x 4GB 1333 DDR3
1 x Intel SSD 120GB
2 x Samsung 2GB F4's HDD
1 x DVD/BR combo drive SATA
3 x 120mm case fans (two on radiator and one on back of case, no other fans since GPU and CPU get water blocks)
1 x Swiftech MCP350 pump (from old system)

 

[E4g1e]

Hi there! I am assembling a new PC and was wondering is my current PSU is sufficient.

Current PSU is Corsair HX 520 which list 12V rail(s) as follows.
+12V1 - 18A
+12V2 - 18A
+12V3 - 18A

Will this be okay to power the following overclocked system or do I need a new PSU? Note overclocked settings are what I am hoping for.

1 x 2500K @ 4.5ish
1 x 6970 @ higher
2 x 4GB 1333 DDR3
1 x Intel SSD 120GB
2 x Samsung 2GB F4's HDD
1 x DVD/BR combo drive SATA
3 x 120mm case fans (two on radiator and one on back of case, no other fans since GPU and CPU get water blocks)
1 x Swiftech MCP350 pump (from old system)

Never add up the three rails in any so-called "multi-rail" PSU! That HX520 does not provide 54A combined on the +12V - but provides just 40A.

Second, especially since you have used that PSU for a few years on your previous rig, running an overclocked Sandy Bridge CPU and a higher-end GPU on that four-plus-year-old PSU is stretching it a bit. All PSUs, including the best ones of the time, do suffer from some deterioration of their capacitors and other innards.

 

[ZoNe]

Thanks. I didn't add anything just listed what's on the PSU. So no good eh? I think I'll go for seasonic x650. Is that okay or do I need more?

 

[E4g1e]

Thanks. I didn't add anything just listed what's on the PSU. So no good eh? I think I'll go for seasonic x650. Is that okay or do I need more?

Actually, it can handle it - but not for very long. I wouldn't risk such a new system with an old, quite heavily used PSU.

 

[quicksilver98]

I would upgrade to a 650W minimum or even a 750W for growth. Theres something to be said for PSU planning. Also go with somehting thats 80Plus Gold Rated its worth the money.

 

[ZoNe]

Thanks it's actually not that old.. When did E8500 come out?

I have been running E8500@4.2Ghz and a GTX 280 OCed a bit and same config as above.

Maybe I just need to try it first - If power shuts down when gaming and stuff then upgrade.

 

[ZoNe]

I would upgrade to a 650W minimum or even a 750W for growth. Theres something to be said for PSU planning. Also go with somehting thats 80Plus Gold Rated its worth the money.

Yeah definity. I like Seasonic X series from reviews I've been reading and they are 80 plus too.

 

[quicksilver98]

Seasonic, Corsair, PCPower and Cooling, XFX, and a few more. I went with the PCPC 750W caus eit was on sale for $75 out the door!

 

[E4g1e]

Seasonic, Corsair, PCPower and Cooling, XFX, and a few more. I went with the PCPC 750W caus eit was on sale for $75 out the door!

Actually, PC Power & Cooling is inconsistent. The Silencer MkII line, made by Sirfa, is surprisingly mediocre in quality for such a high price. These criticisms led to the introduction of a new Silencer 760W, which was introduced just a month ago: With that model, PCP&C went back to Seasonic. It is one of two Seasonic-made PSUs in PCP&C's current lineup; the other is the still-in-production Silencer 910W.

 

[Zero82z]

Will this be okay to power the following overclocked system or do I need a new PSU?

It will be fine.

 

[Rafale]

It will probably fine but you may be limited in your overclocking and running the PSU at almost full load, you will not be very efficient, I'd say change it and try to get something beefier.