My PSU and dual-monitors

glowie · 04-14-2007, 12:58 AM

Do I need a new PSU? I have a Nvidia 7900 GS graphics card with two DVI ports and am planning to buy another monitor so I can have dual-monitors. It is a 450 watt PSU, and I am unsure if it can handle 2 monitors. My monitor right now is a crappy Dell CRT and I am planning on buying a 19" flat screen. If you need more details I will gladly provide them.

**blackduck30** · 04-14-2007, 02:32 AM

A monitor is powered by the mains so another shouldn't be a drain

**Kalim** · 04-14-2007, 10:48 AM

What's the PSU name/model?

**TheMatt** · 04-14-2007, 03:06 PM

If that isn't a quality PSU, it might not be able to handle a 7900GS.

BTW, flat screen monitors will consume less power than CRTs.

**PanamaGal** · 04-14-2007, 04:10 PM

In short, you don't need a new psu to run another monitor. But your current power supply may not really be up to the task you're currently asking it to do. What does the label read on your power supply?

**blackduck30** · 04-15-2007, 01:37 AM

I agree, If your system has been running fine on the power supply you have adding another monitor will not hurt you at all, but just be aware that as mentioned before if you have a generic power supply you might look at upgrading it when money permitts, and if you are looking at building a new computer in the near future buy something in the 750W range so that you can take your new power supply with you to your new build. It will be a good investment and running a 750W power supply in your current system will not hurt it at all. If you would like some recommendations feel free to ask

glowie · 04-15-2007, 10:47 AM

It is a RaidMax 450 W PSU, and I don't have any trouble running my card, I just hooked up another monitor and it is running smoothly thanks for the help.

**TheMatt** · 04-15-2007, 06:00 PM

Check your voltages with SpeedFan from my sig.

**Kalim** · 04-16-2007, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glowie

It is a RaidMax 450 W PSU, and I don't have any trouble running my card, I just hooked up another monitor and it is running smoothly thanks for the help.

Oh no, a nuclear weapon in a PC.

I hope it doesn't blow up, sincerely. Youngyear and RaidMax like to mimic each other.

04-14-2007, 12:58 AM	#1 (permalink)
glowie Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Cornfields of Iowa Posts: 6 OS: Windows XP SP 2 My System	My PSU and dual-monitors Do I need a new PSU? I have a Nvidia 7900 GS graphics card with two DVI ports and am planning to buy another monitor so I can have dual-monitors. It is a 450 watt PSU, and I am unsure if it can handle 2 monitors. My monitor right now is a crappy Dell CRT and I am planning on buying a 19" flat screen. If you need more details I will gladly provide them.

04-14-2007, 02:32 AM	#2 (permalink)
blackduck30 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Wollongong/Australia Posts: 4,233 OS: XP pro SP3/Vista Ultimate My System	Re: My PSU and dual-monitors A monitor is powered by the mains so another shouldn't be a drain __________________ Blackduck30 Time is like money and milk, It's always running out Any Donations Help Keep TSF Free For All

04-14-2007, 10:48 AM	#3 (permalink)
Kalim Roaming To Help Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 5,609 OS: Many	Re: My PSU and dual-monitors What's the PSU name/model?

04-14-2007, 03:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
TheMatt Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,695 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Re: My PSU and dual-monitors If that isn't a quality PSU, it might not be able to handle a 7900GS. BTW, flat screen monitors will consume less power than CRTs. __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides

04-14-2007, 04:10 PM	#5 (permalink)
PanamaGal Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Panama Posts: 1,240 OS: WinXP Pro SP2; Windows Server 2003; Windows Vista Ultimate; Vista Business	Re: My PSU and dual-monitors In short, you don't need a new psu to run another monitor. But your current power supply may not really be up to the task you're currently asking it to do. What does the label read on your power supply? __________________ It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.

04-15-2007, 01:37 AM	#6 (permalink)
blackduck30 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Wollongong/Australia Posts: 4,233 OS: XP pro SP3/Vista Ultimate My System	Re: My PSU and dual-monitors I agree, If your system has been running fine on the power supply you have adding another monitor will not hurt you at all, but just be aware that as mentioned before if you have a generic power supply you might look at upgrading it when money permitts, and if you are looking at building a new computer in the near future buy something in the 750W range so that you can take your new power supply with you to your new build. It will be a good investment and running a 750W power supply in your current system will not hurt it at all. If you would like some recommendations feel free to ask __________________ Blackduck30 Time is like money and milk, It's always running out Any Donations Help Keep TSF Free For All

04-15-2007, 10:47 AM	#7 (permalink)
glowie Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Cornfields of Iowa Posts: 6 OS: Windows XP SP 2 My System	Re: My PSU and dual-monitors It is a RaidMax 450 W PSU, and I don't have any trouble running my card, I just hooked up another monitor and it is running smoothly thanks for the help. __________________ I am proud to be a/an: American, PS3 owner, United States Air Force veteran, Siberian Husky owner and iPod Owner.

04-15-2007, 06:00 PM	#8 (permalink)
TheMatt Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,695 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Re: My PSU and dual-monitors Check your voltages with SpeedFan from my sig. __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides