Upgrading GFX Card, but what PSU to get?

Warriorccc0 · 11-07-2009, 03:54 PM

Hello good chums.

I've got this pc. But I want to put a new gfx card in it, specifically this one.

But to use this graphic card I need a better PSU, since that one requires 400 watts of power, while my PC only has a 300 watt power supply.

So I want to know what power supply I should get. I've looked and found this replacement, but it costs like $60 with its price and s/h. So I want to know if there is any cheaper ones I could possibly find to use.

**wrench97** · 11-07-2009, 04:42 PM

400w is very low to properly power a 9800GT, you'll need at least a Quality 550w unit 650w would be better. The one you have in the link is not a very good quality unit.
And I'm afraid your not going be able to successfully do it cheaper then this>
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139004

Phædrus2401 · 11-07-2009, 05:26 PM

Fry's has the Corsair VX550W for $80 instead of $90: http://www.frys.com/product/5539820?...H:MAIN_RSLT_PG

Warriorccc0 · 11-07-2009, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrench97

400w is very low to properly power a 9800GT, you'll need at least a Quality 550w unit 650w would be better.

I was just going by what the site said, and seeing as it had pretty good reviews that its probably trustworthy.

Phædrus2401 · 11-07-2009, 06:16 PM

Then why ask us?

The manufacturer always gives lower-than-realistic power requirements. Can you run a build with a 9800GT on a 400W PSU? If it's a very good one, then maybe for a while. But as the PSU derates over time, and as damage from unstable voltage adds up you'll start to see more and more issues. This is fact, most of us have observed this.

If you want to buy some cheap $30 generic 400W PSU, go right ahead; we can't stop you. But make sure whichever components you get have good warranties, because you'll need them.

Warriorccc0 · 11-07-2009, 06:19 PM

I think you answered yourself.

also I might go with this and this, unless you can point out any fatal flaw.

**wrench97** · 11-08-2009, 02:01 AM

Both are good.

Phædrus2401 · 11-08-2009, 02:05 AM

I would go with a GDDR3 version of the card for better performance. This Gigabyte card is the same price: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-260-_-Product

11-07-2009, 03:54 PM	#1 (permalink)
Warriorccc0 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 7 OS: Win7 64-bit	Upgrading GFX Card, but what PSU to get? Hello good chums. I've got this pc. But I want to put a new gfx card in it, specifically this one. But to use this graphic card I need a better PSU, since that one requires 400 watts of power, while my PC only has a 300 watt power supply. So I want to know what power supply I should get. I've looked and found this replacement, but it costs like $60 with its price and s/h. So I want to know if there is any cheaper ones I could possibly find to use.

11-07-2009, 04:42 PM	#2 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,489 OS: Win7	Re: Upgrading GFX Card, but what PSU to get? 400w is very low to properly power a 9800GT, you'll need at least a Quality 550w unit 650w would be better. The one you have in the link is not a very good quality unit. And I'm afraid your not going be able to successfully do it cheaper then this> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139004 __________________ Power Supply and Selection

11-07-2009, 05:26 PM	#3 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,782 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: Upgrading GFX Card, but what PSU to get? Fry's has the Corsair VX550W for $80 instead of $90: http://www.frys.com/product/5539820?...H:MAIN_RSLT_PG __________________ 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.

11-07-2009, 06:16 PM	#5 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,782 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: Upgrading GFX Card, but what PSU to get? Then why ask us? The manufacturer always gives lower-than-realistic power requirements. Can you run a build with a 9800GT on a 400W PSU? If it's a very good one, then maybe for a while. But as the PSU derates over time, and as damage from unstable voltage adds up you'll start to see more and more issues. This is fact, most of us have observed this. If you want to buy some cheap $30 generic 400W PSU, go right ahead; we can't stop you. But make sure whichever components you get have good warranties, because you'll need them. __________________ 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.

11-07-2009, 06:19 PM	#6 (permalink)
Warriorccc0 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 7 OS: Win7 64-bit	Re: Upgrading GFX Card, but what PSU to get? I think you answered yourself. also I might go with this and this, unless you can point out any fatal flaw. Last edited by Warriorccc0; 11-07-2009 at 06:42 PM.

11-08-2009, 02:01 AM	#7 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,489 OS: Win7	Re: Upgrading GFX Card, but what PSU to get? Both are good. __________________ Power Supply and Selection

11-08-2009, 02:05 AM	#8 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,782 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: Upgrading GFX Card, but what PSU to get? I would go with a GDDR3 version of the card for better performance. This Gigabyte card is the same price: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-260-_-Product __________________ 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.