Geforce power requirements

dawgtuff · TweakNOOB Joined: 25 Feb 2006 Posts: 2 Location: USA

I plan on building a new computer(Epox 9npa+ or DFI NF4 Ultra, w/A64 3200+),but I have a PS problem. I planned on a Geforce 6800GS but found out it takes at least 18amps on the 12v. rail. I looked at a 6600gt and it's the same.Since this will be a gaming/surfing box I won't need a big PS. Is there a PS in the 350-400 range that has a large 12v. rail?

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ToggleHead · TWEAKGURU Joined: 03 Mar 2004 Posts: 4360 Location: Jersey

what makes you say you dont need a big PSU?

will this be an SLI machine? How many HDD's and opticals.....

....PSUs are widely overlooked, but absolutely critical in running a stable rliable machine......

Typically good PSU's include PC Power and Cooling, enermax, and thermaltake.....but there are other gems out there.....

give us some more info about your PC, and maybe dl a PSU calculator
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fussnfeathers · Lord of the Tweak Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 2763

Why would you not need a good PSU in a gaming rig? That's exactly the machine you want a good PSU in.

I never, ever suggest getting the smallest PSU you can get away with. While a 350 watter might be alright for a 3200+, a single low-rpm hard drive, the 6800GS, and one optical drive, the minute you add another hard drive you're over the power rating on the PSU.

Let's say you build your rig with the 3200+, a gig of RAM, one large 7200 RPM hard drive, one DVD burner, three or four system fans (counting the CPU fan), the 6800GS, a network card (the built in mobo net card takes power to run), a Soundblaster or other PCI sound card, a few USB devices (mouse, keyboard, etc), and a floppy drive. The barest minimum power requirement for that setup is about 320 watts. Now, take a 350 watt PSU with an 85% effieciency at operating temps......that PSU is only putting out 297 watts. A 400 watter would be better, but the second you add another hard drive, you're overloaded again.

Also remember that while you're running games, your rig is drawing about maximum power. Video card, RAM, and proc are all working hard, so you need a PSU with enough power output to handle that draw. The barest minimum I'd recommend for any current system is 450 watts, 550 or more being the ideal.
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mojo1340 · UberTweaker Joined: 19 Jun 2004 Posts: 1022

Check the review section:
http://www.tweaknews.net/reviews/pure600/
http://www.tweaknews.net/reviews/ocz520/
http://www.tweaknews.net/reviews/zalman460/
http://www.tweaknews.net/reviews/truecontrol/
These would all be good choices. PCP&C 510 is also very good but pricey.
Don't scrimp on a PSU. You'll be glad you didn't.

Good Luck!

dawgtuff · TweakNOOB Joined: 25 Feb 2006 Posts: 2 Location: USA

Togglehead-I did a PSU calculation. It said I needed 320 watts.Seemed too low to me.

fussnfeathers-The rig you listed is pretty close to what I want. Your statement on efficientcy was interesting. Can I infer that a PSU company can rate a PSU @400watts but after deducting the efficientcy,say %80, it's really only 320 watts? That's cheating! Looks like i'll need 450-500.

Mojo 1340-Thanks for the links. The Zalman 460 looks like it would do just fine( 22amp@2nd 12v. rail), but it's a tad expensive.

I've heard the Antec TruPower PSU's are pretty good.Whatdaya think?

mojo1340 · UberTweaker Joined: 19 Jun 2004 Posts: 1022

Antec makes good stuff. You can find many other PSU's for less money ( you can get a 500W PSU for $30, but I wouldn'd put them in my machine.)
I've used all the PSUs I recommended, a couple of them are running right now. I don't like to give recommendations of gear I've never used. Like I said, Don't scrimp. For what you want to do, I'd go with at least 450W. 500+ would be better.
JMO FWIW.

Good Luck! Very Happy

fussnfeathers · Lord of the Tweak Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 2763

dawgtuff · TweakNOOB Joined: 25 Feb 2006 Posts: 2 Location: USA

This is all very interesting. It seems like I've had to learn computers all over again since my last build( P3 500@733,ATI 8500 AGP,256mb sdram@133hz)
especially PSU's and vid cards. Thanks for ya'lls help.
BTW- Could anyone recommend a mid case w/PSU? I didn't plan on spending $100 on a PSU.Maybe I can save some $ on a combo.

mojo1340 · UberTweaker Joined: 19 Jun 2004 Posts: 1022

You get what you pay for, in this case. With the exception of Antec and a very few others, PSU's included with cases are, shall we say, less than ideal.

You may want to look at this thread:
http://www.dfi-street.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10854

fussnfeathers · Lord of the Tweak Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 2763

^^^ what he said. Or, in "Fuss translation"...........bundled PSU's generally are crap.

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hostghost · TweakNOOB Joined: 25 Dec 2004 Posts: 38

I build alot of computers, and sell them to all diffrent kind of people and needs.
One thing that I always use is a 120mm fan PSU and it always costs 80$. Dous'nt matter if its a desktop surfer\mailreader machine. WAY to many times have I recived comps that "wont work" and it's all becouse of the PSU.

The bundled PSU's are almost always crap, and won't last long or even give the 80% that they say. We measured a PSU that was less than one year old, it came out of a Q-tec case. It read 140W when it stated 350W with 80%......

Put the money in a decent PSU. If you have problems making your budget, wait until you get more money. Or just drop back on like the case or perhaps the GFX card?

It's worth it!

PS: Im getting two silenx Luxurae 460W PSU's for my next rig! http://www.silenx.com/psu_luxurae_46.asp