Is my PS powerful enough?

Jehuty · 09-30-2009, 08:35 PM

I just recently built my first PC, I usually buy pre-built PCs ( Dell )...but I was told building them yourself was the way to go, so I gave it a shot, and after a bit of frustration I managed to get everything together and working great. Now I know a little more about building PCs, I'm never buying pre-built again. Anyway on to my question....Here's what I have already.

MSI 790FX-GD70 AM3 AMD 790FX ATX AMD Motherboard

AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz Socket AM3 140W Quad-Core Processor

MSI R4890 Cyclone OC Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card

Crucial 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory...8GB total.

Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive

SAMSUNG DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223L LightScribe Support

COOLER MASTER UCP RS700-AAAAA3 700W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Power Supply

What I wanted to know is if my power supply can handle another graphics card and hard drive like the ones I already have ( My tower case also has 2 fans ). It says crossfire ready, but I just want to be sure before I buy them. I know I'm new to this, but it seems like a lot for a 700w power supply, and the graphics card requires no less than 550w PS, so with 2 of them plus another HD I'm not sure. Thanks for your time

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Tumbleweed36 · 09-30-2009, 08:53 PM

For two of those 4890's, you would need a minimum of an 850 or 900 watt power supply and my choice would be the 1000 watt for two cards like those:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139007

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139011

Jehuty · 09-30-2009, 09:09 PM

Well, It's a good thing I checked here before ordering , I guess I'll just hold off then and get some use from the PS I just bought, and maybe upgrade in a couple of years...Thanks for your help

Tumbleweed36 · 09-30-2009, 09:18 PM

I am happy you did also, because running two cards like that with a 700 watt power supply could cause you to burn up good computer components (like PSU, memory, motherboard, video card) from a lack of power. That is one powerful video card and while the 700 will run one of them, you would need at least an 850 for two of them.

Jehuty · 10-03-2009, 03:44 PM

One last question, do you think that I have enough power for just the extra Hard drive?

Phædrus2401 · 10-03-2009, 04:58 PM

Sure. Hard drives mostly draw power from the +5V rail, and the +12V rail is what we're concerned about. They draw some from the +12V but no more than a couple watts each.

Jehuty · 10-03-2009, 05:37 PM

Great, I'm going to need the extra space....Thanks for your help

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Tumbleweed36 · 10-03-2009, 05:56 PM

Hope it works for you, seems like you are on the right track. Don't be a stranger on the forum and if you see something you can help with, jump right in. Have a great Sunday.

09-30-2009, 08:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
Jehuty Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 4 OS: WinXP	Is my PS powerful enough? I just recently built my first PC, I usually buy pre-built PCs ( Dell )...but I was told building them yourself was the way to go, so I gave it a shot, and after a bit of frustration I managed to get everything together and working great. Now I know a little more about building PCs, I'm never buying pre-built again. Anyway on to my question....Here's what I have already. MSI 790FX-GD70 AM3 AMD 790FX ATX AMD Motherboard AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz Socket AM3 140W Quad-Core Processor MSI R4890 Cyclone OC Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card Crucial 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory...8GB total. Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive SAMSUNG DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223L LightScribe Support COOLER MASTER UCP RS700-AAAAA3 700W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Power Supply What I wanted to know is if my power supply can handle another graphics card and hard drive like the ones I already have ( My tower case also has 2 fans ). It says crossfire ready, but I just want to be sure before I buy them. I know I'm new to this, but it seems like a lot for a 700w power supply, and the graphics card requires no less than 550w PS, so with 2 of them plus another HD I'm not sure. Thanks for your time .

09-30-2009, 08:53 PM	#2 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,642 OS: XP Professional	Re: Is my PS powerful enough? For two of those 4890's, you would need a minimum of an 850 or 900 watt power supply and my choice would be the 1000 watt for two cards like those: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139007 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139011 __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread.

09-30-2009, 09:09 PM	#3 (permalink)
Jehuty Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 4 OS: WinXP	Re: Is my PS powerful enough? Well, It's a good thing I checked here before ordering , I guess I'll just hold off then and get some use from the PS I just bought, and maybe upgrade in a couple of years...Thanks for your help

09-30-2009, 09:18 PM	#4 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,642 OS: XP Professional	Re: Is my PS powerful enough? I am happy you did also, because running two cards like that with a 700 watt power supply could cause you to burn up good computer components (like PSU, memory, motherboard, video card) from a lack of power. That is one powerful video card and while the 700 will run one of them, you would need at least an 850 for two of them. __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread.

10-03-2009, 03:44 PM	#5 (permalink)
Jehuty Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 4 OS: WinXP	Re: Is my PS powerful enough? One last question, do you think that I have enough power for just the extra Hard drive?

10-03-2009, 04:58 PM	#6 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,755 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: Is my PS powerful enough? Sure. Hard drives mostly draw power from the +5V rail, and the +12V rail is what we're concerned about. They draw some from the +12V but no more than a couple watts each. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.

10-03-2009, 05:37 PM	#7 (permalink)
Jehuty Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 4 OS: WinXP	Re: Is my PS powerful enough? Great, I'm going to need the extra space....Thanks for your help .

10-03-2009, 05:56 PM	#8 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,642 OS: XP Professional	Re: Is my PS powerful enough? Hope it works for you, seems like you are on the right track. Don't be a stranger on the forum and if you see something you can help with, jump right in. Have a great Sunday. __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread.