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How much power do i REALLY need?

F

fe_918

Limp Gawd
Joined
Feb 25, 2007
Messages
164
Hey guys, my current build is the following:

core2quad q6600
4gb ram
gtx260
8600gt (for my third monitor)
2x500gb and 1x250gb hdd
corsair HX620w

Now, i am currently planning to add two WD 640 AAKs and raid them for a OS/program drive. Also planning to add another 1tb drive in the future. Is my 620w OK for all the harddrives (5 of them soon) and a gtx260? If not, what kind of a powersupply do you guys think i would need? 750? 850? or even 1000w?

Thanks.
 
Yes, your 620w should be more than fine. HDDs only have a substantial draw at spin-up, and your GPU isn't loaded at spin-up, so you'll be fine. Truth is you'd probably be fine even if it was. You have no reason to consider a new PSU.
 
A quality 550W - 650W power supply will be fine. Your Corsair is good.
 
kool thanks for the quick answers guys. I really didn't want to spend an extra 300CAD on the 1000w for the hdd upgrade. But ya i guess i don't have to worry about that now.

Just another question, is it true that its best to run your power supply at 50% usage at all time?
 
fe_918 said:
kool thanks for the quick answers guys. I really didn't want to spend an extra 300CAD on the 1000w for the hdd upgrade. But ya i guess i don't have to worry about that now.

Just another question, is it true that its best to run your power supply at 50% usage at all time?
Click to expand...
Your HX620 is plenty. An HX1000 would be massive overkill.

And it is true that you should ideally keep your PSU within about 50-60% of its rated output, although I'm personally comfortable with going up to 70-80%. At those levels, a PSU is more efficient, runs cooler, lasts longer, and has better voltage regulation.
 
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gtx260
8600gt (for my third monitor)
Click to expand...
These are your power users, followed by the CPU, 7200RPM HDD's use very little power after spin up, so until you do a major CPU/GPU upgrade or start heavy OC'ing your Corsair HX620 with +12V@50A@50C is enough.

For best over-all operation loading between 40% & 60% is ideal & we never intentionally exceed 70% of rated continuous capacity if possible.

Best Wishes,
Dave:)
 
awesome, I will stick to this PSU until my i7 build sometimes later this year then. I'll have to get a new psu anyways since it will be a new comp.

Thanks for the replies!
 
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