OOPS...is my psu enough?

S

Scheibler1

[H]ard|Gawd
2FA
Joined
Jul 8, 2005
Messages
1,447
I got an antec earthwatts 380w psu. Here is my system...im worried about the video card:

MSI 8800GT OC
Intel E2180
Gigabyte IP35-DS3L
G.Skill 2x1gb pc6400
1 120mm rear case fan
2 80mm case fans
1 7200rpm ide hdd
1 dvd-rw sata drive
 
It MIGHT be enough to power the system, but your really really pushing it. My advice would be to get at least a 450watt psu.
 
i really doubt it will work reliably unless you live in antarctica. you're going to be near its max rated power under load, and you're really not supposed to go there for too long, since they measure maximum wattage in ideal temperature conditions that you probably don't have.

spend the extra $130 to get a nice PSU and you'll be glad you did.
 
Sabrewulf... said:
My Antec True Power 430 wouldn't cut it, went with the Corsair 750.
Click to expand...

What are the rest of your system specs, and how many amps on the v12 rails? Also what card where you trying to run with that 430watt power supply? My neopower 480 has dual v12 with total amps of 33, which should be plenty with a single core cpu and stock 9600GT I would think.
 
Gabriel said:
What are the rest of your system specs, and how many amps on the v12 rails? Also what card where you trying to run with that 430watt power supply? My neopower 480 has dual v12 with total amps of 33, which should be plenty with a single core cpu and stock 9600GT I would think.
Click to expand...

To make it a long story now. First thing I did was to off load all drives fans and even the 12v atx to a separate 300 watt supply. So all that was on the 430 was the 8800GT and the MB. CPU is a 3700 Sandy @ 2750 Mhz. The 430 is a single 22 amp 12V I think? Yea thats low, but I thought I would try it anyway. Ran my X850XT fine, wouldn't boot with the 8800GT.

Adding another PS to offload your main supply may help if you don't have the cash for a new one right away.

If it worked I was going use a relay so it would power up automatically instead of using a switch.
 
I learned the hard way.. never go cheap on power supplies... thats about the only advise I can give.. get the best you can afford..
 
scheibler4 said:
I got an antec earthwatts 380w psu. Here is my system...im worried about the video card:

MSI 8800GT OC
Intel E2180
Gigabyte IP35-DS3L
G.Skill 2x1gb pc6400
1 120mm rear case fan
2 80mm case fans
1 7200rpm ide hdd
1 dvd-rw sata drive
Click to expand...

Your wattage is a bit low, but you do have 27a on your combined +12v rails which should be enough providing your +12v rails are still healthy. Just try it and see if it works. If you end up needing a new one I'd recommend the Corsair VX450 +12v rail @ 33a or VX550 +12v rail @ 41a. Both are pretty inexpensive and quality PSUs.
 
well, my 480W TT handles the rig in my sig (inc. 7900gt vMod:eek:) flawlessly even though it only has 19A on 12V.
 
You are perfectly fine.

400W and all other rediculus requirments shown by GPU producers are made with cheap shitty PSUs in minds where 750W codegen might be like 400W Delta/CWT/FSP/Seasonic ;)
 
The Earthwatts 380W PSU is enough for your rig, OP. As stated earlier by honestjohn, the PSU does have 27A on the +12V rail. A system with the 8800GT only requires 22A. Even then, that 22A rating is a bit over-rated. So you're fine. Just don't add more than one more hard drive and you should be fine.
 
Sigh... more people falling for the PSU hype.

I run an overlocked 8800GT on a 250watt PSU. Total wattage is not the issue, it's your +12v rail. The 8800GT is actually pretty low on power-draw requirements. And even the 22A requirement is an exaggerated worse case scenario. To illustrate just how much...my PSU only supplies 16A on the +12V.
 
Spare-Flair said:
Sigh... more people falling for the PSU hype.

I run an overlocked 8800GT on a 250watt PSU. Total wattage is not the issue, it's your +12v rail. The 8800GT is actually pretty low on power-draw requirements. And even the 22A requirement is an exaggerated worse case scenario. To illustrate just how much...my PSU only supplies 16A on the +12V.
Click to expand...

oh, thanks, next time i got the money to buy 8800GT, at least new psu will not be on my must-upgrade-list.
 
You're FINE. Antec 80+ earthwatt is a better quality psu then most. My system with the same PSU and Video card (8800GT) and 3HDD almost reach 200w under LOAD. It sits at 192w. With 2 8800GT it barely hovers over 280w. Got one of those watt meter from the wall. And hard drives takes up only 6-8watt under load, the rails are more important then the wattage.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top