Posted: 4/26/2012 1:23:29 PM EDT
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I decided to get a new desktop. My old desktop had decent RAM and a great video card, but a not so great processer, small HD and the PSU was going out. I picked up a new dell I620 for a decent price that had a good processer and HD, but crappy RAM and video card. I was planning on upgrading with the vid card from my old desktop. However, I made the mother of all screwups and plugged the new comp into a 220V outlet (live in Germany) without switching the voltage over. With a loud pop, blowing the main breaker, and a stream of profanity that had my downstairs neighbor checking to make sure I was ok, I blew out the power supply unit on the new computer.
I'm currently looking into ordering a new PSU and realized that I probably needed to get one with a higher wattage rating then the original for the video card.I'm looking at a Corsair Builder Series CX V2 500-Watt power supply. Is this a wise choice? I know next to nothing about PSUs. And will a 500W PSU be able to handle a NVIDIA 8800GT card and two HDs? ETA: Also, will a 500W PSU be able to handle future video card upgrades? |
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Quoted: I decided to get a new desktop. My old desktop had decent RAM and a great video card, but a not so great processer, small HD and the PSU was going out. I picked up a new dell I620 for a decent price that had a good processer and HD, but crappy RAM and video card. I was planning on upgrading with the vid card from my old desktop. However, I made the mother of all screwups and plugged the new comp into a 220V outlet (live in Germany) without switching the voltage over. With a loud pop, blowing the main breaker, and a stream of profanity that had my downstairs neighbor checking to make sure I was ok, I blew out the power supply unit on the new computer. I'm currently looking into ordering a new PSU and realized that I probably needed to get one with a higher wattage rating then the original for the video card.I'm looking at a Corsair Builder Series CX V2 500-Watt power supply. Is this a wise choice? I know next to nothing about PSUs. And will a 500W PSU be able to handle a NVIDIA 8800GT card and two HDs? ETA: Also, will a 500W PSU be able to handle future video card upgrades? That PSU will be fine for your current card and plenty of other better cards. Corsair PSUs are built solid and have pretty decent amperage ratings on the rails. If you end up going with a high-end current-lineup card, or you get a pair of cards for crossfire, you'll probably need to pick up something a little more powerful. Eta: I'm not readily familiar with the numbers on the corsair builders series but I know they're not as good as the enthusiast series so it's hard for me to say whether or not you'd need to upgrade without knowing those numbers or what card(s) you'll end up buying. Quoted: Dell P/S units aren't standard so you can't replace one from New Egg or Amazon. Only Dell. Sorry. ps. You want 600-700 Watts for future upgrades . On stuff like their all-in-one rigs(like the inspiron one series) that's true. In their normal towers it's just a no-name PSU that can be replaced with any other. That is unless they changed something in the last 6-12 months that I'm unaware of. |
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While that calculator is a nifty tool there's a world of difference, performance, and results between the cheapest 500w PSU and a good name-brand 500w PSU. Watts, amps, and quality all play equally important roles in the decision to buy a PSU. |
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Quoted: Corsair has had a very good reputation for a while, but their newer lower-end models (like the Builder series) don't seem to be as well-made, judging by the reviews. I've had a Corsair TX-650 (now part of the Enthusiast series) for about 4 years or so, and it has been trouble-free (although I did upgrade the fan because I thought it was getting too warm).I decided to get a new desktop. My old desktop had decent RAM and a great video card, but a not so great processer, small HD and the PSU was going out. I picked up a new dell I620 for a decent price that had a good processer and HD, but crappy RAM and video card. I was planning on upgrading with the vid card from my old desktop. However, I made the mother of all screwups and plugged the new comp into a 220V outlet (live in Germany) without switching the voltage over. With a loud pop, blowing the main breaker, and a stream of profanity that had my downstairs neighbor checking to make sure I was ok, I blew out the power supply unit on the new computer. I'm currently looking into ordering a new PSU and realized that I probably needed to get one with a higher wattage rating then the original for the video card.I'm looking at a Corsair Builder Series CX V2 500-Watt power supply. Is this a wise choice? I know next to nothing about PSUs. And will a 500W PSU be able to handle a NVIDIA 8800GT card and two HDs? ETA: Also, will a 500W PSU be able to handle future video card upgrades? |
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While that calculator is a nifty tool there's a world of difference, performance, and results between the cheapest 500w PSU and a good name-brand 500w PSU. Watts, amps, and quality all play equally important roles in the decision to buy a PSU. No argument from me. I run Antec and Corsair single rail PSUs only. I would also accept PP&C and a few other brands. However, OP was asking how many watts a PSU should have to handle his current rig and also future rigs. Unless he can tell us what components he is considering for his video card upgrade, we cannot give him an answer. Using the Newegg calculator is a handy way of him plugging in his information and getting a good estimate. |
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Quoted: Quoted: Corsair has had a very good reputation for a while, but their newer lower-end models (like the Builder series) don't seem to be as well-made, judging by the reviews. I've had a Corsair TX-650 (now part of the Enthusiast series) for about 4 years or so, and it has been trouble-free (although I did upgrade the fan because I thought it was getting too warm).<snip> Yeah I'm currently reading some of the reviews on those builder series and they're not very good. I'm running a TX-850 and it's a beast. It's more than I need for my rig but they were running some promotional deal where it was on sale with free shipping and I got a free 8gb OCz diesel thumb drive with it so I jumped all over that offer. The builder series do appear to have a bit lower amperage ratings on all the rails compared to the enthusiast series, except for the 12v which is damn near half the amps. I'm guessing the people that had problems with these power supplies had them powering some of the higher-end video cards made over the last few years that require 35a+. Quoted: Quoted: While that calculator is a nifty tool there's a world of difference, performance, and results between the cheapest 500w PSU and a good name-brand 500w PSU. Watts, amps, and quality all play equally important roles in the decision to buy a PSU. No argument from me. I run Antec and Corsair single rail PSUs only. I would also accept PP&C and a few other brands. However, OP was asking how many watts a PSU should have to handle his current rig and also future rigs. Unless he can tell us what components he is considering for his video card upgrade, we cannot give him an answer. Using the Newegg calculator is a handy way of him plugging in his information and getting a good estimate. I ran PP&C right up until my last one blew and Corsair had come out with the TX and HX enthusiast series. Damn good PSUs for the price. |
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Dell P/S units aren't standard so you can't replace one from New Egg or Amazon. Only Dell. Sorry. ps. You want 600-700 Watts for future upgrades . 600-700? Not a chance. Unless hes running quad SLI or some other exotic setup. 500w is fine for him. Agree. |
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The 8800 GT recommended minimum PSU is a 400W. Link
The specs are different for the GTS and the GTX. I ran dual GTX's on a 1000W PSU. |
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While that calculator is a nifty tool there's a world of difference, performance, and results between the cheapest 500w PSU and a good name-brand 500w PSU. Watts, amps, and quality all play equally important roles in the decision to buy a PSU. When you're replacing the power supply on a Dell, you worry about one thing. "Does it fit?" That's not to say you can't use that fancy 900 watt monster with the blinky lights and the chrome shit. You just have to yank the old supply, run the new supply wires through the resulting hole, and zip tie the fucking thing onto the back. It's noisy though. That's also a fine way of providing power to unexpected add ons that your existing supply can't handle. Just start that one up first, then start the main. Shadetree computing... You got some paperclips and scotch tape, I'll take us to the moon. 
ETA- frankly, if you just need that thing running and know someone or somewhere with a pile of junk computers, basically all you need to do is count the plugs you need on the inside, go find a junker with a PSU with the same plugs, and swap it in, fit or no fit. Hang the damn thing out the side. Make a little hammock for it. Go nuts. It aint dynamite. About the only way to smoke 'em is doing exactly what you just did, so your cherry's popped. It can't get worse. |
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Quoted: The 8800 GT recommended minimum PSU is a 400W. Link The specs are different for the GTS and the GTX. I ran dual GTX's on a 1000W PSU. I found some info that states the 8800GT doesn't draw any more than 12.5a total so the 500w builder's series will suffice as it's a single +12v rail PSU and that rail is rated at 34a which leaves some wiggle room for other components. If OP decides to get another 8800GT for SLI or a better card he'll at least need to upgrade to an enthusiast series PSU around the same wattage which will offer double the amps on that +12v rail. |
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Quoted: Quoted: Corsair has had a very good reputation for a while, but their newer lower-end models (like the Builder series) don't seem to be as well-made, judging by the reviews. I've had a Corsair TX-650 (now part of the Enthusiast series) for about 4 years or so, and it has been trouble-free (although I did upgrade the fan because I thought it was getting too warm).I decided to get a new desktop. My old desktop had decent RAM and a great video card, but a not so great processer, small HD and the PSU was going out. I picked up a new dell I620 for a decent price that had a good processer and HD, but crappy RAM and video card. I was planning on upgrading with the vid card from my old desktop. However, I made the mother of all screwups and plugged the new comp into a 220V outlet (live in Germany) without switching the voltage over. With a loud pop, blowing the main breaker, and a stream of profanity that had my downstairs neighbor checking to make sure I was ok, I blew out the power supply unit on the new computer. I'm currently looking into ordering a new PSU and realized that I probably needed to get one with a higher wattage rating then the original for the video card.I'm looking at a Corsair Builder Series CX V2 500-Watt power supply. Is this a wise choice? I know next to nothing about PSUs. And will a 500W PSU be able to handle a NVIDIA 8800GT card and two HDs? ETA: Also, will a 500W PSU be able to handle future video card upgrades? They are just cheap replacement PSU to be better than similar priced cheap PSU's. I probably wouldn't use one myself, but would have no issues putting one in a PC for my parents for example. Running a Seasonic M12II 520 myself. http://www.jonnyguru.com/forums/showpost.php?p=67916&postcount=15 http://www.jonnyguru.com/forums/showpost.php?p=67918&postcount=17 |
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And will a 500W PSU be able to handle a NVIDIA 8800GT card and two HDs? Easily however if you consider upgrading to anything more than a single 560ti, you'll want to go ahead and get a 1000W PSU. They're all of $100-120. Try to find one with 12v rails if you can for the GPU's. |
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Quoted: And will a 500W PSU be able to handle a NVIDIA 8800GT card and two HDs? Easily however if you consider upgrading to anything more than a single 560ti, you'll want to go ahead and get a 1000W PSU. They're all of $100-120. Try to find one with 12v rails if you can for the GPU's. You could run a 560ti on at least 500w as long as the amps are sufficient. I've been building PCs for years and always go with the higher-end components because I'm a gamer and I have yet to need anything near 1000w. Even my current 850w PSU is more than what my current specs would require. |
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The 8800 GT recommended minimum PSU is a 400W. Link The specs are different for the GTS and the GTX. I ran dual GTX's on a 1000W PSU. I found some info that states the 8800GT doesn't draw any more than 12.5a total so the 500w builder's series will suffice as it's a single +12v rail PSU and that rail is rated at 34a which leaves some wiggle room for other components. If OP decides to get another 8800GT for SLI or a better card he'll at least need to upgrade to an enthusiast series PSU around the same wattage which will offer double the amps on that +12v rail. He'd be better off upgrading his GPU, the newer models take less power than two 8800's. |
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Thanks for the advice guys. I've decided to go with the Corsair Bulder for now and if I need to, invest in a bigger PSU down the road.
On the thing about Dell PSUs not being compatable, I did some checking (and Dells techinal support is crap) and found that the PSUs on modern systems are compatable. I even chcked to see if the bad PSU from my old Desktop (HP) would fit and have compatable plugs and it did. In hindsight, I wish I had done more research about this before upgrading my previous desktop. I'm pretty sure I caused the old PSU to fail by not taking the watt rating (250w) into account when I upgraded the video card. So My mistake yesterday led to me discovering a mistake I made a few years ago and learning from it too. But now I know that the new PSU will be able to support the tweaks I want to make. And now I get to feel like an idiot for doing 2 stupid things. As long as I've lived in Germany and been deployed, I darn well should've switched the voltage on the tower before plugging it in. But I think my punishment (no desk top until the new PSU arrives) is good enough. Now I need to look into getting a new set of good comp speakers. I'm using the same set that came with my original deskptop in 1999. ETA: Before I order the Corsair, do any companies make PSUs with built in breakers? |
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I THINK some of the newer PSUs have built-in power switching, not sure.
. . In hindsight, I wish I had done more research about this before upgrading my previous desktop. I'm pretty sure I caused the old PSU to fail by not taking the watt rating (250w) into account when I upgraded the video card. So My mistake yesterday led to me discovering a mistake I made a few years ago and learning from it too. But now I know that the new PSU will be able to support the tweaks I want to make. . . ETA: Before I order the Corsair, do any companies make PSUs with built in breakers? I doubt that you caused the old 250watt PSU to fail. PSUs are run to the max limits, and they last for maybe 3-4 years and POOFF! I have replaced the PSU on my computer like 4 times already. |
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When I'm building a new rig, I tell myself there are two components that I will never need to replace. These two are the monitor and the PSU. Never go cheap on either, and get the best you can fit within your budget. Over time, mobo's, video cards, processors get better. Actually, it takes very little time. This are pieces you should think of as temporary. At least 80 plus bronze certified. This is a term used to describe how efficient to power supply is, 80 plus bronze certified means that the PSU will waste no more than 20% electricity at full load, as long as within operating temps. I would suggest no less than 750W, which is on the low end, for being future-ready. Another point is having a single line 12v rail. This helps insure you are getting the watts you are paying for. Also, because I want you to have a nice, clean, happy case, I recommend modular, at least semi-modular. I'd love to know the rest of your specs, so I could recommend something more exact to your needs. Based from what I've read, I would recommend : Thermaltake 750W |
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Quoted: Nods that's why I said anything larger than a 560ti. A 570 will push a 500w, if he ever wants to SLI down the road, he'll likely need 1000w if he's using higher end cards.Quoted: And will a 500W PSU be able to handle a NVIDIA 8800GT card and two HDs? Easily however if you consider upgrading to anything more than a single 560ti, you'll want to go ahead and get a 1000W PSU. They're all of $100-120. Try to find one with 12v rails if you can for the GPU's. You could run a 560ti on at least 500w as long as the amps are sufficient. I've been building PCs for years and always go with the higher-end components because I'm a gamer and I have yet to need anything near 1000w. Even my current 850w PSU is more than what my current specs would require. |
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When I'm building a new rig, I tell myself there are two components that I will never need to replace. These two are the monitor and the PSU. Never go cheap on either, and get the best you can fit within your budget. Over time, mobo's, video cards, processors get better. Actually, it takes very little time. This are pieces you should think of as temporary. At least 80 plus bronze certified. This is a term used to describe how efficient to power supply is, 80 plus bronze certified means that the PSU will waste no more than 20% electricity at full load, as long as within operating temps. I would suggest no less than 750W, which is on the low end, for being future-ready. Another point is having a single line 12v rail. This helps insure you are getting the watts you are paying for. Also, because I want you to have a nice, clean, happy case, I recommend modular, at least semi-modular. I'd love to know the rest of your specs, so I could recommend something more exact to your needs. Based from what I've read, I would recommend : Thermaltake 750W My original desktop was a HP with a 250W PSU, 500GB HD, 2GB RAM and stock video card (I dont rem the processer type and the desktop is in pieces on my kitchen table). I upgraded it with a 4GB RAM card and NVIDIA 8800GT video card (I'm a dual screen whore). $800 total spent and I ended up with a desktop with better specs then some $1000+ systems I saw. After 3 years of flawless perfomance, I noticed that my startup screen sitched to japanese, my comp was freezing up alot, and whenever I tried to reboot after an update, the comp would power up, but not boot up. I decided to do the same thing I did last time. I bought a cheap Dell I620, discounted becuase the monitor was broken, which I didn't need (and will never buy Dell again) with an I3-2100 processer, 4 GB RAM, 1TB HD and stock video card. My plan was (and still is) to wipe and format the old 500GB HD and place it as a secondary HD, add another 4GB RAM and reuse my 8800GT video card. A new video card is in my future plans, but my 8800GT still works great for what I use it for. I was smart enough to know how to do what I wanted (mostly), but not smart enough to know that I needed to upgrade my PSU, and too vain to ask advice. So, I'm looking at me blowing the PSU as a good thing. Otherwise I never would have known to upgrade it. And being stuck using my cheap travel/deployment laptop for a week or 2 is a suitable punishment. And with the leftover parts (I still have my other 2 previous desktops), I should be able to build a low end desktop as a side project. |
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Nods that's why I said anything larger than a 560ti. A 570 will push a 500w, if he ever wants to SLI down the road, he'll likely need 1000w if he's using higher end cards.
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And will a 500W PSU be able to handle a NVIDIA 8800GT card and two HDs? Easily however if you consider upgrading to anything more than a single 560ti, you'll want to go ahead and get a 1000W PSU. They're all of $100-120. Try to find one with 12v rails if you can for the GPU's. You could run a 560ti on at least 500w as long as the amps are sufficient. I've been building PCs for years and always go with the higher-end components because I'm a gamer and I have yet to need anything near 1000w. Even my current 850w PSU is more than what my current specs would require. Uh, no. It does not work like this: If not 500W, then 1000W. OP didn't mention SLI, and he doesn't seem like the type to do so. I have a GTX 680 Hydro Copper (ujelly) humming along nicely on a 750W, with 2 HDDs, 1 SSD, LC pump, mobo, etc. I could add a 2nd 680, if the damn thing didn't cost an arm and a leg. |
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Most people are going to recommend fairly high of what you'll ever actually need. Now, that's not a bad thing. No one ever said 'boy, I sure wish I bought a cheaper PSU', but you don't need to go spend $200+ on one for that machine. If you're going to stick with one GPU, a brand name 5-600W will probably do you just fine.
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newer generation cards need a lot of power you should get a 1000+ watt especially if you ever SLI or crossfire. Good brand name 1000W is going to be overkill for 99% of gamers let alone normal people.
Trifire 5850s and an i7 930 all OCed and at 100% load pulled 900W at the wall for me. While gaming it would hover around 700W. Very few people are going to go trifire or tri-sli or better. I'm running a 7970 now and could probably add two more and still be ok, would be close though. also fwiw, most good brand name PSUs will run fine a good 5-10% over their rating. |
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Nods that's why I said anything larger than a 560ti. A 570 will push a 500w, if he ever wants to SLI down the road, he'll likely need 1000w if he's using higher end cards.
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And will a 500W PSU be able to handle a NVIDIA 8800GT card and two HDs? Easily however if you consider upgrading to anything more than a single 560ti, you'll want to go ahead and get a 1000W PSU. They're all of $100-120. Try to find one with 12v rails if you can for the GPU's. You could run a 560ti on at least 500w as long as the amps are sufficient. I've been building PCs for years and always go with the higher-end components because I'm a gamer and I have yet to need anything near 1000w. Even my current 850w PSU is more than what my current specs would require. Uh, no. It does not work like this: If not 500W, then 1000W. OP didn't mention SLI, and he doesn't seem like the type to do so. I have a GTX 680 Hydro Copper (ujelly) humming along nicely on a 750W, with 2 HDDs, 1 SSD, LC pump, mobo, etc. I could add a 2nd 680, if the damn thing didn't cost an arm and a leg. What clocks are you running that at? |
My 7970 is under water, so I'm curious about 680s that are also. Not a ton of them out there at this point.
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I got the new PSU installed, and plugged in the extra 4GB chip. Did the initial boot up, then put in the 8800 GT and installed that. Everything is running great. This weekend, I'll pull my old pics and stuff off the hd from the old comp, format it and add it as a secondary for the new computer. ANd I have to learn how to use windows 7 (I don't like learning new versions of windows. I have the last windows xp laptop in my unit and hide it when S6 comes around)
Thanks for the advice guys. |