[phantom101]

Hey guys,

Question..

Okay, my build is almost finished! Just need my Motherboard and Power supply. I'm debating on an 850w or a 1000w. But I think a 1k may be a bit much, but also feel 850w may be slightly less. Maybe I'm wrong and the wattage specifications on the other components were a little misleading..


EDIT Additional Info:

I have my eye on both a 1000w Power supply and an 850w for sale. But, the 1000w is sold out and seems to go back in stock every 1-2 months... As ridiculous as that sounds. It doesn't cost nearly as much as the average 1000w, but apparently is just as good, based on different reviews.

I could choose to wait for that, or just get an 850w that's a bit cheaper and still works well. I'm wondering what should I do at this point, and will my system really be okay with just 850w..

What I meant by, "the wattage specifications on the other components were a little misleading"

Is that, the Minimum PSU wattage requirement for my graphics card says 600w. For my processor it's 95w, and for my case(fan controller) it's 20w per fan, 5 = 100w.

So adding all this up, 600w + 100w + 95w = 795w, and that's just with 3 of my components, not all of the other ones. It's why I'm a little worried about the 850w not being enough..

But I'm no tech wiz, and maybe these numbers aren't all that they appear.. Which is what brought me here.




Here is my system:

Case - NZXT Phantom

Processor - Intel Core i7 2600

RAM - Mushkin Enhanced Silverline 8GB (2 x 4GB)

SSD - Crucial M4 2.5" 64GB SATA III

Video Card - NVIDIA GTX 580

Optical Drive - LG DVD Burner

Heat Sink - Cooler Master Hper 212 Plus

Additional Case Fan #1 - NZXT FS-200RB-BLED 200mm

Additional Case Fan #2 - NZXT FN-140RB 140mm

Hard Drive - WD Caviar Green 2TB

Motherboard - ASUS P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3

That's all of it on the hardware side. I don't plan to OC by the way. Also, next month I plan on adding another SSD and Blue Ray drive.
SSD
Blue Ray Drive

With all this in mind, would I be fine with just an 850w, or should I just go for the 1000w? I don't think I'll add anything else in the near future. A second video card would be nice but I don't plan on it. It's a gaming system, so I just may consider it somewhere down the line.

Edited by phantom101, 16 April 2012 - 10:52 AM.

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You are not, I think, looking at this on quite the correct lines.

I hope you do not think that is insulting, as I do not know your level of knowledge

However your graphics card or at least I should say the NvidiaGTX580 may draw 244 watts.
See this

http://www.geforce.c.../specifications

AMPS are watts divided by volts.
So for that GRAPHICS alone, without taking account of overclocking, (WHICH I STRONGLY ADVISE AGAINST) you require that actual power, you will therefore now realise that the 600 watts minimum, is the System power - as shown on the link I have sent you.

Your most important consideration, is the amperage available on the 12 volt rails of the power supply,. In this regard, cheap uncertified power supplies, are to be avoided.
Also you must check not the MAX of the PSU, as of course, you do not want to demand the maximum from it, but the power it can supply steady.

Again the cheaper PSU`s tend to fall down on this regard

Here is an example of a Corsair 750 watt - Corsair a good make of renowned quality
http://www.corsair.c...wer-supply.html

and here the APPARENT same wattage power supply for just £29.00
http://www.google.co...ved=0CHEQ8wIwBA#



and here is WHY NOT to buy cheaper power supply units.
http://www.tomshardw...view-32182.html

and in short, the cheaper model has the potential to ruin the system. If current limit circuitry fails, the PSU overheats and MAYBE - it is time to find the fire extinguisher - OBVIOUSLY that is a very rare occurrence, but it can happen.

If the voltage output control fails, then it maybe - the kiss of death to the motherboard and other hardware.
Here is the relevant excerpt from the Corsair
Over-voltage, under-voltage, over-current, and short circuit protection provide maximum safety for your critical system components

That graphics card has two separate power connectors - so if the psu has two 12 volt rails you can connect one to each.
However I think a conversion lead is supplied is it not for the two to one
and here is the full review. Overclocked it was measured as drawing nigh on 400 watts
http://www.neoseeker...gtx_580/16.html


So in summary do not risk your valued and not cheap new build with a less than reputable, renowned make psu.

[Macboatmaster]

You are not, I think, looking at this on quite the correct lines.

I hope you do not think that is insulting, as I do not know your level of knowledge

However your graphics card or at least I should say the NvidiaGTX580 may draw 244 watts.
See this

http://www.geforce.c.../specifications

AMPS are watts divided by volts.
So for that GRAPHICS alone, without taking account of overclocking, (WHICH I STRONGLY ADVISE AGAINST) you require that actual power, you will therefore now realise that the 600 watts minimum, is the System power - as shown on the link I have sent you.

Your most important consideration, is the amperage available on the 12 volt rails of the power supply,. In this regard, cheap uncertified power supplies, are to be avoided.
Also you must check not the MAX of the PSU, as of course, you do not want to demand the maximum from it, but the power it can supply steady.

Again the cheaper PSU`s tend to fall down on this regard

Here is an example of a Corsair 750 watt - Corsair a good make of renowned quality
http://www.corsair.c...wer-supply.html

and here the APPARENT same wattage power supply for just £29.00
http://www.google.co...ved=0CHEQ8wIwBA#



and here is WHY NOT to buy cheaper power supply units.
http://www.tomshardw...view-32182.html

and in short, the cheaper model has the potential to ruin the system. If current limit circuitry fails, the PSU overheats and MAYBE - it is time to find the fire extinguisher - OBVIOUSLY that is a very rare occurrence, but it can happen.

If the voltage output control fails, then it maybe - the kiss of death to the motherboard and other hardware.
Here is the relevant excerpt from the Corsair
Over-voltage, under-voltage, over-current, and short circuit protection provide maximum safety for your critical system components

That graphics card has two separate power connectors - so if the psu has two 12 volt rails you can connect one to each.
However I think a conversion lead is supplied is it not for the two to one
and here is the full review. Overclocked it was measured as drawing nigh on 400 watts
http://www.neoseeker...gtx_580/16.html


So in summary do not risk your valued and not cheap new build with a less than reputable, renowned make psu.

[phantom101]

Macboatmaster, you just made my day.

No, not insulting at all! I appreciate you being blunt and staying as direct as possible. My knowledge of this is relatively low, and this is my very first build. Trying to soak up as much knowledge as I can.

Thanks for the very educational post, I did learn a lot. I was a bit confused looking at CompUSA's specifications, or maybe I misread the wattage part all together. Either way, I'm very pleased to know a 1000w isn't necessary for my build. Saves me some cash.

Based on my build, which PSU would you recommend? That Corsair one looks very lovely. Couldn't make out the exact total however with it being in euros(?). I'm over in the states. Maybe around.. 45 US dollars? I don't know for sure but If so, it seriously has my attention.

Thank you!

[Macboatmaster]

The Corsair in the States
http://www.corsair.c...wer-supply.html


which I think was my previous link is $119

This will help
http://www.corsair.c...xplore/?psu=yes

Also I would check the ram against the motherboard spec ram.
I am not suggesting any critcism of Mushkin ram - I have NEVER used it.
However you should assure yourself that the ram is listed.
The motherboard manufacturer cannot list all ram, as they cannot test all ram with that board.
I personally always go for ram that is known to be fuly compatible


I have and it is not listed in 2 x 4Gb
http://usa.asus.com/...8V_PROGEN3/#MSL

[phillpower2]

If I may pitch in with some additional guidance to what colleague Macboatmaster has advised;
Use a PSU calculator such as the example @ http://www2.corsair.com/psufinder/ an alternative @ http://images10.newe...tage-Calculator or use both for a comparison.

For PSUs to trust and PSUs to avoid see;
http://www.10stripe....d/psu/brand.php
http://forum.pcmech....ide-inside.html
http://www.realhardt...vos/Page541.htm

Also to reiterate what Mac has previously said the specifications that the add on video card manufacturers state are the Minimum output PSU that is required so always allow some additional headroom with your maximum output.

[Macboatmaster]

From my post 4 - my error in not telling you what it was that would help

This will help
http://www.corsair.c...xplore/?psu=yes

Same as my colleague, but as phillpower2, said - always good to verify with another calculator

[phillpower2]

Less expensive @ http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817139021

[phantom101]

Thanks again you guys. I'm glad I found this site.

According to the calculator, my system would preform just fine with at LEAST a 450w PSU. Well, a 450w PSU from Corsair anyways. All the way up to a 650w unit.
You were spot on in suggesting that 750w, Macboatmaster. Gives me a little "growing room" for future upgrades.

Also, great suggestion on your part, Phill. I was going to post that same link to help out anyone else who finds this thread useful. You beat me to it. Just ordered that PSU this morning, a great deal!

After reading the info posted in the link above about bad PSUs, decided to google additional info about them, and man.. This is no secret, not by a long shot. Some may laugh, but this was one of PSUs I was actually considering at one point. Would've been a BIG mistake.

If it weren't for this site, I would've shot myself in the foot by risking serious damage to my PC components, possibly getting a dead PSU, and or a headache from h---. And yeah, this build was not cheap.. Valuable information posted here.

Thanks again!

(And by the way, after doing a bit of research, I found that my RAM is supported by my motherboard. Thanks for the tip, Mac)

[Macboatmaster]

(And by the way, after doing a bit of research, I found that my RAM is supported by my motherboard. Thanks for the tip, Mac)

Well I must have missed it then because I did not see it.

Here is the ram checked and verified as posted before.

I have and it is not listed in 2 x 4Gb
http://usa.asus.com/...8V_PROGEN3/#MSL

If I did NOT misread it and you are relying on Muskiin - my advice is to place greater reliance on Asus than Mushkin

Well if you do NEVER wish to add another graphics to run two cards linked, which you would only really consider if you were demanding the max from the one card AND/OR more hard drives etc then the lesser wattage will do.

As another 580 and you are on 1000 or 1200 watts

Overclock it and you are still with the one on 650 - 750.

Your most important consideration, is the amperage available on the 12 volt rails of the power supply,. In this regard, cheap uncertified power supplies, are to be avoided.

Even with Corsair I would never select the smallest (in output) recommended.

[phantom101]

The vendor, Mushkin, is on their list, but not the exact memory modules that I have.(4GB a stick) Which did worry me, but I searched around the net for people using the same type of RAM I have with their P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3 motherboards, and they had no issues at all.

You're right about that, to place my reliance in ASUS, but I already bought my RAM. Have had it for 4 months now. Not so sure if I can still return it. If I could go back in time, I would've checked the list before hand. Really wish I knew this sooner but, I think I'll be okay.

Even if it it does turn out to be okay for me, this is a careless mistake I wont repeat in the future. I'll put a little extra cash away just in case I'll have to replace them. I hope it wont come to that, but always good to be on the safe side regardless.

Glad I don't know much about overclocking. Not saying I wont try it at some point, but I doubt I will anytime soon unless I was totally sure my system could handle it. I'll take your advice and will avoid OCing my video card. I'll need to do some serious homework on it first anyways.

Plus It just.. sounds a little too risky. Well, to an amateur like me anyways.

[Macboatmaster]

I have and it is not listed in 2 x 4Gb

You had me slightly concerned for moment.
I thought I had misread it - but I had not, as you now confirm.

Please take my advice - either ask Asus or stick with what they say .
Here is a reason why
http://www.geekstogo...nt-run-16-gigs/

see the first and then post 6 onwards - especially post 10


SORRY NOW SEEN YOU HAVE BOUGHT IT - no chance for a refund 30 day return unless of course proves faulty in which case I am not sure.

This may provide you with a few pointers for completing the build
http://www.geekstogo...r-own-computer/


Good luck come back of course as you need to and please let us know how it goes.