Graphics card and PSU troubles

Pasty

Pasty

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I recently purchased a Diablotek Radeon VTX 4830 graphics card and have now found out that I need a PSU with 26 amps on a 12 volt rail with at least 450 watts (I only have 18 amps per two 12 volt rails). I wasn't wanting to spend a lot more money after I bought the graphics card, so I could use some suggestions on what a good PSU would be to buy. I also was wondering if it was even worth upgrading my graphics card and PSU with the specs I had for my computer (Pentium 4 CPU 3.2 GHz with 2.5 GB of RAM). I don't know a whole lot about computer specs, so please make it easy for me to understand. :)
 
[quote name='Pasty']I recently purchased a Diablotek Radeon VTX 4830 graphics card and have now found out that I need a PSU with 26 amps on a 12 volt rail with at least 450 watts (I only have 18 amps per two 12 volt rails). I wasn't wanting to spend a lot more money after I bought the graphics card, so I could use some suggestions on what a good PSU would be to buy. I also was wondering if it was even worth upgrading my graphics card and PSU with the specs I had for my computer (Pentium 4 CPU 3.2 GHz with 2.5 GB of RAM). I don't know a whole lot about computer specs, so please make it easy for me to understand. :)[/QUOTE]

Probably not really worth upgrading a 10 year old system at this point.

However, you can buy a good PSU and keep it for when you upgrade your whole PC, just long as you buy one with a 20+4 pin connector, and Molex connectors.

I doubt your motherboard supports PCIe 2.0 that the card requires, since the specification came out in 2007.

You can try this one here...
 
[quote name='SScorpio']The one posted above is a little over kill for what you need. This one is 430W, but it's a higher quality one so don't worry about it not being 450W. It has a single +12V rail that runs at 28amps.

Order it today if you can. It's currently $39.99 with free shipping. And there is a $19.99 rebate that expires today. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139017[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the help. I'm not sure what the difference is between having 1 12v rail and having 2 of them.
 
[quote name='SScorpio']The one posted above is a little over kill for what you need. This one is 430W, but it's a higher quality one so don't worry about it not being 450W. It has a single +12V rail that runs at 28amps.

Order it today if you can. It's currently $39.99 with free shipping. And there is a $19.99 rebate that expires today. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139017[/QUOTE]

Yes, but I specifically meant it as a piece he can keep when he upgrades, instead of buying another one in the future. And typically, you want about double what your system needs anyways, for efficiency.
 
[quote name='elessar123']Yes, but I specifically meant it as a piece he can keep when he upgrades, instead of buying another one in the future. And typically, you want about double what your system needs anyways, for efficiency.[/QUOTE]
The lower the percentage of the wattage of the PSU is used, the lower it's efficiency. Overkill in a PSU will result in it being less efficient and cost you more money in the long run, in electricity costs. Although when you get to the 80+ Gold certified units, the difference will be very small.
 
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[quote name='Lawyers Guns N Money']The lower the percentage of the wattage of the PSU is used, the lower it's efficiency. Overkill in a PSU will result in it being less efficient and cost you more money in the long run, in electricity costs. Although when you get to the 80+ Gold certified units, the difference will be very small.[/QUOTE]

Um, what? PSUs in general are designed for most efficiency at half load. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/80_PLUS or search google. Since he has a P4 3.2GHz, I estimated 200-250W to be around 50%, so recommending a 550W 80 PLUS bronze, which would be fine for his future build as well.
 
[quote name='elessar123']Um, what? PSUs in general are designed for most efficiency at half load. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/80_PLUS or search google. Since he has a P4 3.2GHz, I estimated 200-250W to be around 50%, so recommending a 550W 80 PLUS bronze, which would be fine for his future build as well.[/QUOTE]
Ok, but my point was lower percentages of PSU usage is less efficient, and most computers are going to be doing things the majority of the time that doesn't pull full power from the PSU. Just sitting idle, web browsing, things like that, the PSU will be less efficient because the comp isn't going full bore. It may be a little less efficient at full bore, but unless you're running a 24/7 folding rig or turning the computer on only for gaming, then turning it back off, the lower wattage PSU (with a little headroom) you can get away with, the better.

But I do agree that it would be a nice thing to have for upgrades down the road, it just doesn't seem like he had $70 to shell out for a PSU right now.
 
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