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?
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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)
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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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