Author Topic: High End Video Card Power Consumption (Read 8576 times)

kizza1645 · « **on:** April 08, 2009, 12:17:34 AM »

Alright you may have read my gaming pc topic about my new pc, well basically it only has a 9600gt, far from crysis material.
So what i was thinking is installing a new gtx 260, either by XFX, ASUS or Gigabyte.

In most product descriptions it states it requires a minium of 550w powersupply.
I was wondering wether a 400watt would suffice, considering some test i have made with a voltage reader plugged in the socket of the power supply cord.

While Idling the Computer used, 65-70watts.
While under some load, 67-75watts
While playing crysis, anywhere between 60-80watts, 85watts being the highest recorded.

That leaves around 320watts of unused power supply maxiumum.
With this in mind do you think i could use a gtx 260, with recommended 550watt power supply on my 400watt.

It would make perfect sense to me, but correct me if im wrong here.....

KingPincer · « **Reply #1 on:** April 08, 2009, 04:03:47 AM »

Well I suggest that you use the video card that has the same watt power supply. That's only my suggestion but, if you want to try it then try it there is nothing that you could lose.

kizza1645 · « **Reply #2 on:** April 08, 2009, 04:05:02 AM »

is it true you cant messure the total power by using a wattage meter?

mroilfield · « **Reply #3 on:** April 08, 2009, 04:08:04 AM »

Well I would definitely go with either the recommended wattage or go with an even higher wattage power supply as you might want to upgrade other components later.

kizza1645 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 08, 2009, 04:13:15 AM »

Quote from: mroilfield on April 08, 2009, 04:08:04 AM

Well I would definitely go with either the recommended wattage or go with an even higher wattage power supply as you might want to upgrade other components later.

hmm, well do you think the card will even use 320watts

mroilfield · « **Reply #5 on:** April 08, 2009, 04:19:07 AM »

I am not sure what the watt usage would be for the card but it is always better to either match the MFG's recommended specs or go higher if possible instead of going lower.

The lower wattage power supply might run the card but you might not get desirable results with it.

BC_Programmer · « **Reply #6 on:** April 08, 2009, 06:49:14 AM »

additionally if you have any problems you can guess what the first suggestion will be!

DA8686 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 08, 2009, 08:46:11 AM »

You can always try it, then upgrade the power supply if needed. Is this a possibility? Or will you not be able to buy both if needed?

If you don't have a whole lot of extras such as extra hard drives, extra cd/dvd drives, etc, the 400W may be ok. Also, what cpu do you have? This could make a difference as well if your cpu uses low energy.

If you do decide to try it and you notice video problems during game play or if your computer randomly restarts, you don't have enough juice.

kizza1645 · « **Reply #8 on:** April 08, 2009, 03:29:31 PM »

With that in mind I have decided to go with the Inno3D version of the 260 GTX card which requires a 400 watt power supply, much lower than the other brand crads.

Plus you get 2 free games!!!!! omg omg omg omg

http://www.inno3d.com/products/graphic_card/gtx200/gtx260.html

computeruler · « **Reply #9 on:** April 08, 2009, 03:46:30 PM »

Never herd of that but whatever. And yes get at least a 550 watt psu

kizza1645 · « **Reply #10 on:** April 08, 2009, 03:55:10 PM »

Quote from: computeruler on April 08, 2009, 03:46:30 PM

Never herd of that but whatever. And yes get at least a 550 watt psu

Why so?? the minimum is 400watt.....

Plus I belive my current psu is OEM, and i think the fitting is custom, so other psu's cant fit in there.

Geek-9pm · « **Reply #11 on:** April 08, 2009, 04:08:47 PM »

Well, you would think that you would not need that much power. But.. some wide cards do really suck the power!

But look at this blurb:

Quote

...the GeForce 9600 gt is equal to 95 W , in this case the card require six-pin power connector , since PCI Express x16 slot , first generation is capable to transfer not more than 75 W

What I think it means is the extra connector must have a higher power rating that the early PSU would have on that particular output. So there!

And it is nice to have a extra power supply around.

patio · « **Reply #12 on:** April 08, 2009, 06:02:51 PM »

A 400W PSU in this day and age is a waste of money in my opinion...
Keep in mind this is only an opinion.
What if you decide to build a new system a year from now? ?
Are you then going to go out and buy a new PSU ? ?

Plan for the future.,....

Geek-9pm · « **Reply #13 on:** April 08, 2009, 08:09:57 PM »

Quote

A 400W PSU in this day and age is a waste of money in my opinion...

Ear;ier I tried to atgue with Patio on this and lost. There is not longer a reson to have a limited power supply.Lokk at this:
LOGISYS
Computer PS575XBK 575W ATX12V SLI Ready Power Supply
It is under $30, so there is not point in using a 400 watt power supply for anything. ~~But is you want a wimpy power supply and are willing to pay a few dollars more, just buy a refurbished desktop and get an old computer with an old power supply~~ Sorry, I didn't really mean that, had to strick it out!

Code: [Select]

BEGIN    
     IF Got Money GT 50
         Get new power supply
         Replace old power supp
     NO IF about it
END

computeruler · « **Reply #14 on:** April 08, 2009, 08:10:51 PM »

You said the minimum for that card is 550

BC_Programmer · « **Reply #15 on:** April 08, 2009, 08:11:49 PM »

FORTRAN.... I thought I killed you with my C sword!

Geek-9pm · « **Reply #16 on:** April 08, 2009, 08:17:14 PM »

Quote

FORTRAN.... I thought I killed you with my C sword

FORTRAN is still used on computers with old PSU.
FORTRAN is air cooled.

BC_Programmer · « **Reply #17 on:** April 08, 2009, 08:22:53 PM »

at least there wasn't a Microsoft Visual FORTRAN.

Although they did create FORTRAN powerstation...

Geek-9pm · « **Reply #18 on:** April 08, 2009, 08:48:58 PM »

Quote

Although they did create FORTRAN powerstation...

Well, just as long as we are on the subject of power consumption.

kizza1645 · « **Reply #19 on:** April 09, 2009, 10:27:33 PM »

Quote from: computeruler on April 08, 2009, 08:10:51 PM

You said the minimum for that card is 550

The brand of card changed, to the Inno3D 260 GTX, which requires a 400watt minimum,

patio · « **Reply #20 on:** April 10, 2009, 07:35:26 AM »

This is beating a dead horse...

computeruler · « **Reply #21 on:** April 10, 2009, 11:11:30 AM »

I dont see a gtx 260 working on a 400watt power supply

Geek-9pm · « **Reply #22 on:** April 10, 2009, 11:32:03 AM »

kizza1645 · « **Reply #23 on:** April 10, 2009, 08:19:20 PM »

Quote from: computeruler on April 10, 2009, 11:11:30 AM

I dont see a gtx 260 working on a 400watt power supply

How so? did you see the site? I linked everyone, it clearly says 400watt min.....\
Under specs....
1. A PCI-Express compliant motherboard with full size expension slot
2. 6-pin PCI Express supplementary power connector
3. Minimum 400W or greater system power supply (with 12V current rating of 25A)
http://www.inno3d.com/products/graphic_card/gtx200/gtx260.html

kizza1645 · « **Reply #24 on:** April 10, 2009, 08:21:59 PM »

Actually i might add here,
I bought one of those watt reader thingys... and it says i idle at 60-70watts, and under load while playing crysis... a max of 87watts.

Do you think this changes anything...

BC_Programmer · « **Reply #25 on:** April 10, 2009, 08:33:12 PM »

Quote from: kizza1645 on April 10, 2009, 08:19:20 PM

How so? did you see the site? I linked everyone, it clearly says 400watt min.....\
Under specs....
1. A PCI-Express compliant motherboard with full size expension slot
2. 6-pin PCI Express supplementary power connector
3. Minimum 400W or greater system power supply (with 12V current rating of 25A)
http://www.inno3d.com/products/graphic_card/gtx200/gtx260.html

Windows XP has a Minimum ram of 64 MB but you don't exactly get stellar results.

computeruler · « **Reply #26 on:** April 10, 2009, 09:57:50 PM »

Notice the 25 amps part too. If its a power supply you aready have for some reason I doubt it has 25 amps but thats me.

kizza1645 · « **Reply #27 on:** April 10, 2009, 11:25:34 PM »

Well i took a pic of the PSU information, could someone please make sense of this....

kizza1645 · « **Reply #28 on:** April 10, 2009, 11:43:48 PM »

Quote from: computeruler on April 10, 2009, 09:57:50 PM

Notice the 25 amps part too. If its a power supply you aready have for some reason I doubt it has 25 amps but thats me.

would this suffice?

http://www.antec.com/Believe_it/product.php?id=NzA=

computeruler · « **Reply #29 on:** April 11, 2009, 11:47:04 AM »

Well it does seem to have 2 12v rails 17a + 15a so I guess it mieets the minimun requirments... I still wouldnt use it but thats just me

robit · « **Reply #30 on:** April 11, 2009, 02:16:56 PM »

Hi! If the manufacturer suggests 550 watt PSU they know you must be running other hardware(HDD,Fans-etc.) Also Amps are important for your cards performance........ get a 550 or better..... as others have said plan for the future...

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Author Topic: High End Video Card Power Consumption (Read 8576 times)

kizza1645

KingPincer

kizza1645

mroilfield

kizza1645

mroilfield

BC_Programmer

DA8686

kizza1645

computeruler

kizza1645

Geek-9pm

patio

Geek-9pm

computeruler

BC_Programmer

Geek-9pm

BC_Programmer

Geek-9pm

kizza1645

patio

computeruler

Geek-9pm

kizza1645

kizza1645

BC_Programmer

computeruler

kizza1645

kizza1645

computeruler

robit