PSU Overkill?

[DARKADAM]

Hi, this may sound stupid, but will a 700watt psu be enough for my rig? Specs to the left..
Feel free to thrash me on overkill.....
Thanks!

 

[Ravenas]

Yes I would say so.

http://www.amd.com/us/products/desktop/graphics/amd-radeon-hd-6000/hd-6770/Pages/amd-radeon-hd-6770-overview.aspx#3

■450 Watt or greater power supply with one 75W 6-pin PCI Express® power connectors recommended (600 Watt and two 6-pin connectors for AMD CrossFireX™ technology in dual mode).

 

[Jstn7477]

I run an overclocked 2600K and 7950 on a quality 550w unit, so yes.

 

[D007]

Not really overkill, just very stable. More than effective though.

 

[[Ion]]

Given that you have a Corsair 700w listed, that will be more than sufficient. I've run a SLI + C2Q setup on a Corsair 400w, and although I wouldn't recommend it, it did work fine. With that 700w PSU, you'll be able to run the AMD X4 and a high-end Crossfire/SLI setup with ease

 

[DARKADAM]

Feeling good now as what I want in a pc is multi screen setups!
Cheers Guys

 

[erocker]

No such thing as overkill when it comes to a PSU.

 

[TRWOV]

500w is more than enough for most systems with a single GPU. I'm running an i5-2320, 8GB RAM, HD6950, 5 HDDs and 6 fans off a 500w PSU.

 

[TheMailMan78]

No such thing as overkill when it comes to a PSU.

I disagree. Some people are far better off with less watts in their system. People have a really bad habit of buying tons of low quality high watt PSUs instead of what they need at high quality.

I mean really would you rather have a 1000w Rosewell or a 600w Seasonic X? At the same time VERY few people need more then 500w. Why blow 200+ bones on a PSU you will NEVER use fully when you can get a high quality PSU with less volts in itself is overkill and will last you for years?

 

[wiak]

just get a quality brand, corsair, seasonic, ocz, antec etc are all good, and for the future it will be wise to get atleast a 700W

more expensive psus usely means they have better quality so that translates to better power and less problems, i myself have a Corsair AX850, Corsair HX620, MIST 600W and a Corsair CX600

 

[DARKADAM]

Again, I opted for this PSU as its corsair and I find them to be very reliable as well as stylish

 

[Aquinus]

With everything stressed on my rig, I don't use more than 450-watts. I have a 1000-watt Seasonic PSU and it barely gets warm when I push my rig and voltages stay nice and steady. Now, I might never get close to using a full kilowatt, but there are benefits to running a powerful PSU under what it can handle. The fan doesn't even have to kick on it runs so cool (which is a little scary, I will admit, but I don't care if it's cool/cold to the touch.)

Heat can reduce the life of a PSU. If you get a good PSU that has a reasonable amount of output and you don't use it all, it will run cooler, which in turn will have increased longevity.

 

[erocker]

I disagree. Some people are far better off with less watts in their system. People have a really bad habit of buying tons of low quality high watt PSUs instead of what they need at high quality.

I mean really would you rather have a 1000w Rosewell or a 600w Seasonic X? At the same time VERY few people need more then 500w. Why blow 200+ bones on a PSU you will NEVER use fully when you can get a high quality PSU with less volts in itself is overkill and will last you for years?

A quality, higher wattage PSU will last just as long and you have room to upgrade. Yes I would rather blow 200+ bones (though you can get quality high wattage PSU's for cheaper) than get what is good enough. There's nothing "better off" with having a lower wattage PSU.

Heat can reduce the life of a PSU. If you get a good PSU that has a reasonable amount of output and you don't use it all, it will run cooler, which in turn will have increased longevity.

Also, this guy.^^ +1

 

[TheMailMan78]

My 650's fan doesnt even turn on. A 1000w PSU for a system that pulls 450w tops is a huge waste of cash and isnt very efficient.

 

[scaminatrix]

No such thing as overkill when it comes to a PSU.

I mean really would you rather have a 1000w Rosewell or a 600w Seasonic X? At the same time VERY few people need more then 500w.

I don't use more than 450-watts. I have a 1000-watt Seasonic PSU

It's generally accepted that a PSU is most efficient closest to 50% load (give or take). This is my excuse anyway

I know I'm running a 650w but I'm looking to get another one when my RAID array comes back into use.

 

[m1dg3t]

No such thing as overkill when it comes to a PSU.

+1
______________________________________

Ocz zx series are some damn good units, check the reviews here by crmaris, they are usually on rebate which makes them even better IMO

I have seen the zx850 as low as $125 and the zx1000 @ $150, after rebates of course. I agree about the efficiency part, also I find most people are very conservative when using PSU calcs. Example, my q9550 system can be rated at ~550w or close to 700w, and guess what? I had some crashes under load using a 700w PSU but switched to an 850w unit and haven't looked back.

 

[Aquinus]

My 650's fan doesnt even turn on. A 1000w PSU for a system that pulls 450w tops is a huge waste of cash and isnt very efficient.

Did I mention it was Seasonics 80 Plus Platinum PSU? Also, your just wrong. Under 20% of maximum where efficiency goes down the drain, not 40-50%. In fact 35-65% is where the best efficiency on a PSU is.

Look what I found in TPU's database of reviews!

What were you saying about being inefficient?

 

[Kreij]

IMO, there are two things you should never go cheap on when building a rig.
The case and the PSU. They are the two things you are most likely to keep the longest, and you want to make sure both will serve you well for upgrades.

 

[TheMailMan78]

Did I mention it was Seasonics 80 Plus Platinum PSU? Also, your just wrong. Under 20% of maximum where efficiency goes down the drain, not 40-50%. In fact 35-65% is where the best efficiency on a PSU is.

Look what I found in TPU's database of reviews!
http://tpucdn.com/reviews/Seasonic/P1000/images/efficiency.jpg

What were you saying about being inefficient?

I said nothing about 50%. Reading fail on your part sir. Having a 1000w PSU for a 450w max isnt what you call smart.

IMO, there are two things you should never go cheap on when building a rig.
The case and the PSU. They are the two things you are most likely to keep the longest, and you want to make sure both will serve you well for upgrades.

I agree. NEVER go cheap on a PSU. But never get more then you need as its a waste of money.

 

[Aquinus]

I said nothing about 50%.

450w / 1000w = 45%
I was rounding. You didn't have to say it, it was implied.

Reading fail on your part sir. Having a 1000w PSU for a 450w max isnt what you call smart.

...and why is that? It gives me the ability to have flexibility upgrading, it keeps temperatures even under full load down as its one less component generating heat which in turn results in better PSU longevity, as I said before, the actual efficiency of the PSU is very good, it is silent, and last but not least it has a 7 year warranty. Running a PSU at full power creates more heat, reduces the longevity of your PSU, you run the risk of over-voltaging your machine due to inadequate current (if you're running it to the max,) and quite frankly, it will result in reduced life and my upgrade options won't be nearly as open.

I agree. NEVER go cheap on a PSU. But never get more then you need as its a waste of money.

Many people would disagree with you.

So tell me, what isn't smart about it? I don't seem to be able to figure it out. All the fail in your post seems to make it hard to understand what you're try to get at.

 

[Jstn7477]

I'd rather buy a 550w 80+ Gold PSU over a 750w 80+ Bronze model for the same price.

 

[TheMailMan78]

450w / 1000w = 45%
I was rounding. You didn't have to say it, it was implied.


...and why is that? It gives me the ability to have flexibility upgrading, it keeps temperatures even under full load down as its one less component generating heat which in turn results in better PSU longevity, as I said before, the actual efficiency of the PSU is very good, it is silent, and last but not least it has a 7 year warranty. Running a PSU at full power creates more heat, reduces the longevity of your PSU, you run the risk of over-voltaging your machine due to inadequate current (if you're running it to the max,) and quite frankly, it will result in reduced life and my upgrade options won't be nearly as open.


Many people would disagree with you.

So tell me, what isn't smart about it? I don't seem to be able to figure it out. All the fail in your post seems to make it hard to understand what you're try to get at.

It wasn't implied. You assumed. All I said is there is such thing as overkill with a PSU to Erocker. Would you install a 1000w Seasonic into an HTPC? Of course not. That would be overkill and stupid. As for the heat issue I run a 650w X and the fan has yet to turn on. I have plenty of room to upgrade with it also. If heat was THAT big of an issue for my "massive" draw on the 650 by not having a 1337 PSU of a 1000watts one would assume the fan might turn on once in a while. I would guess in 99 out of 100 cases a 1000w PSU is over kill. Maybe 1% need it. Its inefficient and stupid to waste a PSU like that on most computers.

 

[m1dg3t]

Depends on the HTPC tMm

 

[Aquinus]

Its inefficient and stupid to waste a PSU like that on most computers.

It might be stupid (I still disagree with you,) but it certainly isn't inefficient. Also your draw on a stock 2600k and a 570 Ti probably barely hits 200-watts, maybe 250-watts tops. So I put 450-500 watts of load on my 1000w PSU and it is stupid, you put 200-250-watts of load on your 650 watt PSU and it's not? Give be a break, you're hypocritical because you're practically doing the same thing as me. Additionally, the 1000-watt Platinum is only 80 USD more than the 650 Gold. I wouldn't call that a waste.

 

[TheMailMan78]

It might be stupid (I still disagree with you,) but it certainly isn't inefficient. Also your draw on a stock 2600k and a 570 Ti probably barely hits 200-watts, maybe 250-watts tops. So I put 450-500 watts of load on my 1000w PSU and it is stupid, you put 200-250-watts of load on your 650 watt PSU and it's not? Give be a break, you're hypocritical because you're practically doing the same thing as me. Additionally, the 1000-watt Platinum is only 80 USD more than the 650 Gold. I wouldn't call that a waste.

Of course its a waste. My Seasonic I got for 90 bucks. Thats 110 less then the 1000w Plat. That 100 bucks extra in my pocket. Also you could have got a 850 and had PLENTY of room to upgrade. You got a 1000w for epeen. Which is fine but don't try and justify it as a "smart" choice. Your specs don't even come close to needing that.