Radeon X850 PRO Power Supply Question

TechNewbie · 07-02-2006, 01:19 PM

I'm considering upgrading to a Sapphire Radeon X850Pro 256MB (AGP 4X/8X) for my computer, but the description for the power supply unit requirement for it reads as "300W or greater." I'm wondering if this is the actual power req. for the card and if my current PSU (which is 300W) will adequately power it. Also, I'm wondering how hot it will likely run, and if I should buy something like an Arctic cooler for it now or if I ever decide to try to unlock the extra pixel pipelines. Any and all help will be greatly appreciated.

-------------------------------
Gateway, Pentium 4 3.2GHz
1024MB RAM
Windows XP Home w/SP2
ATI Radeon 9600Pro w/Omega drivers

HawMan · 07-02-2006, 04:08 PM

the 300W PSU is the Minimum for the card, i would Deffo upgrade ur PSU for it, get a good brand too ( i cant name some, others will though ).

Also if u have the money then buying a cooler will help reduce the heat ( which is a good thing )

**blackduck30** · 07-02-2006, 04:51 PM

i would be looking around the 480W mark for starters and depending on your future plans going up from there. We are also talking good brands here like enermax, silverstone, Antec, OCZ and the likes. If you are looking to push your system or load it up in the future I would be looking at the 550W and i know that may seem a lot but your power supply is the one thing the rest of your system depends on and you do not want it to be a weak link. For example I just bought a silverstone 650W unit for my new system and it is a comfortable size and feeds enough power and amps for me not to have to worry, I would not have liked to go any smaller.

TechNewbie · 07-02-2006, 07:55 PM

So a new PSU would be needed. I have no idea what the ''good'' brands are or where to get them, so can anyone point out where and what I should buy? I want something quality (obviously), but I'm working on kind of a tight budget. The one I have in it now according to Gateway's online support is a 300W ATX (no idea what this means, but that's what it is). Also, would a new PSU mess up anything already in the computer with it's increase in power output?

I forgot to mention, I found the same thing by ATI, so I'm probbly gonna go with that. Dunno if it makes a difference, but I thought it might be worth mentioning just in case.

TechNewbie · 07-02-2006, 08:28 PM

On Newegg I found a 430W Thermaltake TR2 for $40 ($30 after rebate) in their daily specials - would something like this be good?

And to answer blackduck's pseudo-question, I don't have any future plans for this computer, I'm probably gonna keep it as is until it becomes obsolete and I get a new one. The X850 should keep me satisfied until then.

**Ralck** · 07-02-2006, 08:38 PM

A newer power supply, as long as it's a trusted brand, won't damage your system. An untrusted brand, however, an untrusted brand could hurt components!

Here's a choice you could get:
FSP group (Fortron) 450W power supply from newegg: $51
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104954

That's a really good supply for a cheap price and Fortron is a great company.

Chosing an Enermax, OCZ, Sparkle, Silverstone, or Antec within the 450-550W range though would good.

Good luck and let us know how you make out!

Edit: I just noticed your previous post. You might want to stay away from Thermaltake, as they are only a medium brand, and you might want to go for something a little better in quality, and a little higher in wattage would be good too. If you are looking for a cheap supply, that Fortron is the way to go; cheap and quality.

TechNewbie · 07-03-2006, 01:30 PM

Ok, I have three more questions:
1.) Are there any other quality brands besides the ones already listed?
2.) Do I have to buy PSU's that are ATX since that's what I have in there now, or can I get another kind like ATX12V?
3.) Will that Fortran PSU listed in the previous post work in my computer since the PSU is ATX12V?

TechNewbie · 07-04-2006, 11:00 PM

Anyone?

**TheMatt** · 07-05-2006, 09:50 AM

ATX os just the form factor, you will need an ATX PSU to fit into your case. To see other brands of PSUs, look at the PSU list. Its one of the threads sitting around.

TechNewbie · 07-06-2006, 01:50 PM

So what type(s) of PSU can I put in there? I'm seeing ATX with all different versions, ATX12V, etc, and I don't know what the differences are or if there's any cross-compatability.

TechNewbie · 07-11-2006, 01:36 PM

Anyone?

**Terrister** · 07-11-2006, 03:53 PM

See if this answers your questions. http://www.techsupportforum.com/showthread.php?t=107466

TechNewbie · 07-12-2006, 03:10 PM

Exactly what I could use, thank you Terrister.

07-02-2006, 01:19 PM	#1 (permalink)
TechNewbie Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NY State, USA Posts: 91 OS: Windows Vista x32 Ultimate SP2	Radeon X850 PRO Power Supply Question I'm considering upgrading to a Sapphire Radeon X850Pro 256MB (AGP 4X/8X) for my computer, but the description for the power supply unit requirement for it reads as "300W or greater." I'm wondering if this is the actual power req. for the card and if my current PSU (which is 300W) will adequately power it. Also, I'm wondering how hot it will likely run, and if I should buy something like an Arctic cooler for it now or if I ever decide to try to unlock the extra pixel pipelines. Any and all help will be greatly appreciated. ------------------------------- Gateway, Pentium 4 3.2GHz 1024MB RAM Windows XP Home w/SP2 ATI Radeon 9600Pro w/Omega drivers

07-02-2006, 04:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
blackduck30 TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Wollongong/Australia Posts: 4,230 OS: XP pro SP3/Vista Ultimate My System	i would be looking around the 480W mark for starters and depending on your future plans going up from there. We are also talking good brands here like enermax, silverstone, Antec, OCZ and the likes. If you are looking to push your system or load it up in the future I would be looking at the 550W and i know that may seem a lot but your power supply is the one thing the rest of your system depends on and you do not want it to be a weak link. For example I just bought a silverstone 650W unit for my new system and it is a comfortable size and feeds enough power and amps for me not to have to worry, I would not have liked to go any smaller. __________________ Blackduck30 Time is like money and milk, It's always running out Any Donations Help Keep TSF Free For All

07-02-2006, 07:55 PM	#4 (permalink)
TechNewbie Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NY State, USA Posts: 91 OS: Windows Vista x32 Ultimate SP2	So a new PSU would be needed. I have no idea what the ''good'' brands are or where to get them, so can anyone point out where and what I should buy? I want something quality (obviously), but I'm working on kind of a tight budget. The one I have in it now according to Gateway's online support is a 300W ATX (no idea what this means, but that's what it is). Also, would a new PSU mess up anything already in the computer with it's increase in power output? I forgot to mention, I found the same thing by ATI, so I'm probbly gonna go with that. Dunno if it makes a difference, but I thought it might be worth mentioning just in case. Last edited by TechNewbie; 07-02-2006 at 08:22 PM.

07-02-2006, 08:28 PM	#5 (permalink)
TechNewbie Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NY State, USA Posts: 91 OS: Windows Vista x32 Ultimate SP2	On Newegg I found a 430W Thermaltake TR2 for $40 ($30 after rebate) in their daily specials - would something like this be good? And to answer blackduck's pseudo-question, I don't have any future plans for this computer, I'm probably gonna keep it as is until it becomes obsolete and I get a new one. The X850 should keep me satisfied until then. Last edited by TechNewbie; 07-02-2006 at 08:35 PM.

07-02-2006, 08:38 PM	#6 (permalink)
Ralck TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,454 OS: 98SE/XP PRO/FC4 My System	A newer power supply, as long as it's a trusted brand, won't damage your system. An untrusted brand, however, an untrusted brand could hurt components! Here's a choice you could get: FSP group (Fortron) 450W power supply from newegg: $51 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104954 That's a really good supply for a cheap price and Fortron is a great company. Chosing an Enermax, OCZ, Sparkle, Silverstone, or Antec within the 450-550W range though would good. Good luck and let us know how you make out! Edit: I just noticed your previous post. You might want to stay away from Thermaltake, as they are only a medium brand, and you might want to go for something a little better in quality, and a little higher in wattage would be good too. If you are looking for a cheap supply, that Fortron is the way to go; cheap and quality. __________________ Power Supply Info Everyone Should Read! How to Post Your System Specs Last edited by Ralck; 07-02-2006 at 08:42 PM.

07-02-2006, 04:08 PM	#2 (permalink)
HawMan Liam Join Date: May 2006 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland Posts: 2,939 OS: Win XP My System	the 300W PSU is the Minimum for the card, i would Deffo upgrade ur PSU for it, get a good brand too ( i cant name some, others will though ). Also if u have the money then buying a cooler will help reduce the heat ( which is a good thing )

07-03-2006, 01:30 PM	#7 (permalink)
TechNewbie Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NY State, USA Posts: 91 OS: Windows Vista x32 Ultimate SP2	Ok, I have three more questions: 1.) Are there any other quality brands besides the ones already listed? 2.) Do I have to buy PSU's that are ATX since that's what I have in there now, or can I get another kind like ATX12V? 3.) Will that Fortran PSU listed in the previous post work in my computer since the PSU is ATX12V? Last edited by TechNewbie; 07-03-2006 at 01:58 PM.

07-04-2006, 11:00 PM	#8 (permalink)
TechNewbie Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NY State, USA Posts: 91 OS: Windows Vista x32 Ultimate SP2	Anyone? Last edited by TechNewbie; 07-04-2006 at 11:02 PM.

07-05-2006, 09:50 AM	#9 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,701 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	ATX os just the form factor, you will need an ATX PSU to fit into your case. To see other brands of PSUs, look at the PSU list. Its one of the threads sitting around. __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 [url="http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/"] 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

07-06-2006, 01:50 PM	#10 (permalink)
TechNewbie Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NY State, USA Posts: 91 OS: Windows Vista x32 Ultimate SP2	So what type(s) of PSU can I put in there? I'm seeing ATX with all different versions, ATX12V, etc, and I don't know what the differences are or if there's any cross-compatability. Last edited by TechNewbie; 07-06-2006 at 01:51 PM.

07-11-2006, 01:36 PM	#11 (permalink)
TechNewbie Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NY State, USA Posts: 91 OS: Windows Vista x32 Ultimate SP2	Anyone?

07-11-2006, 03:53 PM	#12 (permalink)
Terrister Moderator Hardware Forum Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: West Georgia, USA Posts: 7,098 OS: Xp	See if this answers your questions. http://www.techsupportforum.com/showthread.php?t=107466 __________________

07-12-2006, 03:10 PM	#13 (permalink)
TechNewbie Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NY State, USA Posts: 91 OS: Windows Vista x32 Ultimate SP2	Exactly what I could use, thank you Terrister.