Gaming Maxing out PSUs

[elchzard]

Hey guys, I'm upgrading my Graphics card and I'm pretty sure it's not going to happen, but I'll ask you anyway.

I'm currently using an old one; an Nvidia Geforce 6200, and thinking of upgrading to a mid-range one;Nvidia Geforce 9600

Cheers for your help in advance guys.

 

[myuusmeow]

It depends on everything else in your system and your PSUs output.

 

[TheWingless]

It would be helpful if you could provide your PSU info. Most people want to know the wattage, but knowing the amps the 12v rail can handle is pretty important to know for your graphics card. In fact, if it's some nice name brand PSU instead of one of those cheap ones that come with every prebuilt computer, you could give the product page with the specs instead.

 

[Deleted member 35947]

As others have said it really depends on your psu.

The recommended minimum power supply for GeForce 9600 GT graphics cards is 400 watts with a +12V rating of 26 Amps for a single card. I'm pretty certain the 9600 requires a 6 pin pci-e power connector from your psu also. Make sure you have one. Some graphics cards come with an adaptor for this.

 

[elchzard]

Sorry guys,
Unfortunately I'm not currently at the computer.

Thanks for that 6 pin info Edhel, I'll check as soon as I can.
I'll post up more info ASAP, probably later today.

 

[myuusmeow]

As others have said it really depends on your psu.

The recommended minimum power supply for GeForce 9600 GT graphics cards is 400 watts with a +12V rating of 26 Amps for a single card. I'm pretty certain the 9600 requires a 6 pin pci-e power connector from your psu also. Make sure you have one. Some graphics cards come with an adaptor for this.

Some boards might require a power connector but some won't. I'm using a 9800GT that didn't require one.

 

[Deleted member 35947]

That's weird. I've come across a few 9800s that do require one. I wasn't 100% certain about the lower end 9600 boards.

 

[Whipple]

What is the capacity of your current power supply?
What is the current required of your new video card?
Is your current power supply able to provide the current required by your new card?
(Also consider if your new video card requires any new connections to your power supply. like an additional 4-pin connection)

Generally if you have a fairly modern system with a quality power supply you will be fine.

For what it is worth, I have lost more systems due to cheap power supplies that have failed, frying everything in sight.
A quality power supply runs cooler, lasts longer, and protects the rest of your system components.

 

[myuusmeow]

That's weird. I've come across a few 9800s that do require one. I wasn't 100% certain about the lower end 9600 boards.

I think the reference design (like the designs that Nvidia do themselves) for both the 9600GT and 9800GT require the 6-pin power, but only a small handful of reference cards are still being sold. Anyway even if the one he wants requires it, if he has a good PSU he could just use a Molex-PCI-E adapter.

EG:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814162033 requires extra power
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814500134 doesn't

Also @op: make sure you have the right connector for these. Don't go out and buy a PCI-E card when you only have a AGP slot etc.

 

[elchzard]

Thanks guys.

It's the second, cheaper one I'm looking at. I'm on a budget and I need to spend money on RAM e.t.c as well.
The Nvidia website has 3 9600 models on offer' GSO, GSO 512 and the GT. According to them, all three need a six pin connector.

The GT is probably the one I'll go for, listed for £50 on dabs.com

Anyway, facts and figures;
PSU's current capacity: 230V - Crappy Prebuild model I'm afraid Wingless.
My GPU is currently running stably.

I need some help here. The Nvidia website says:
Maximum Graphics Card Power: 96W
Minimum System Power Requirement: 400W.

Does that mean I need a 400W PSU to run this, or is that including the 6 pin connector which is required?

I don't know much about components...

Help?

Thanks again guys, I know I sound like an idiot.

 

[Deleted member 35947]

Anyway, facts and figures;
PSU's current capacity: 230V - Crappy Prebuild model I'm afraid Wingless.


I need some help here. The Nvidia website says:
Maximum Graphics Card Power: 96W
Minimum System Power Requirement: 400W.

That's volts and not the wattage you listed. If you open your case, you should see a sticker on the side of your psu. It should list what watt it is. Most of the time it should also list other important information. Try and look for the +12v and how much amp it can do on that rail. This is what is crucial to see if your current psu is up to the task. While you're at it you should also look and see if you have a pci-e power connector.

The fact it is a cheap prebuild model means it may be further strained by adding in more power hungry components.

 

[Madridi]

I dont mean to hijack the thread but I'm in the process in building my own computer and I have a question about the whole "rail" thing

The power supply that I bought is tx850 .. specs and outputs are in the following page
http://www.corsair.com/products/tx/default.aspx

and i'm not sure whether certain connections would interfere with each other or not .. such as the DVD drives causing the graphics to go without power

can anyone help?

 

[Deleted member 35947]

That psu you linked to is more then adequate to power any modern graphics card, even more then one, as well as several hard drives/dvd drives. You shouldn't have any problems.

 

[Mangofett]

Might as well throw this out now, but the ATI 4670 is the best card I have seen that does not need an external 6 pin connector/good psu

 

[wchill]

Of course, if you want to shellout $600 for a PSU, there's always the PC Power and Cooling Turbo-Cool 1200W PSU. 1.2kW @ 50 degrees C. More than enough to power whatever you would want to upgrade.
But what am I saying, you probably wouldn't need it unless you were running a Core i7-975, dual Radeon HD 5970 video cards, a lot of hard drives/SSDs/Blu-ray burners, and heaven knows what else. Case fans.

 

[Madridi]

That psu you linked to is more then adequate to power any modern graphics card, even more then one, as well as several hard drives/dvd drives. You shouldn't have any problems.

Yeah I know but I was wondering if its ok for future upgrades? currently going to run 5770 on it but I'm buying a 5970 or nvidia gtx 300 series when it comes out.
and thanks for the reply

 

[wchill]

It should if you won't run crazy OC'd hardware. You should be fine. Just don't try running tri-SLI or something with 3 GTX 300 series cards.

 

[Madridi]

no of course not lol
i7 920 overclocked to around 3.2
2 dvd drives
1 ssd and 2 1tb caviar black
6 gb ram (might go to 12 in the future)
5770 currently with 5970 in future list

so when it comes to rails and the whole wattage issue.. am i safe?

 

[elchzard]

OK, thanks for humoring me. Later on in my life I will look back at this and think ' I was such an idiot.'

I'll let my brother look at it, he's back. Thanks for all your help on this guys.

Continue your discussions class.

 

[Madridi]

sorry for hijacking the thread, just thought i would ask about a similar issue

hope things go well for you.. good luck