Running a 9600gt on 250w power supply.

[RST101]

Hello and good morning to you all. I have been running my computer on a antec 5oow psu for a while now but since about two weeks ago it had been shutting down randomly. After many days trying to determine what was at fault I discovered that my psu had taken a turn for the worse and was just cutting it dead several times a day. So what I have done is reverted back to the original psu which came with the computer when I bought it, which is only three months old. So what's the problem I hear you ask. Well the problem is this, right now (touch wood) I do not have one, but I am running a 9600gt on 250 watts and the manufacturer states it must be at least 450w. I have been running it for three days now and have noticed no drawbacks at all. My idle temp is 49c and my full temp is 70-2. I do plan on getting a new one but do you think I will suffer any adverse effects. In all honesty I did not think it would even power it up but like I say it has actually quite flawless in it's approach to gaming. Any feed back would be welcome. Thanks.

 

[Jac]

I think the whole massive power supply thing is just another way for psu builders to sell you a high spec PSU you don't need.

If you go to an online power needs calculator, you'll probably be surprised about how little your system is actually using. Of course a little leeway is always a good idea. I run my 9600gt on a 400w supply with absolutely no issues.

 

[RST101]

I was thinking the same myself Jac that it's all a ploy to get you to invest more. By the way seeing as you have same card what temps does run at. I have only just bought this card so I am still familiarising myself with it. Are my temps about right. Thanks.

 

[Jac]

Those temps look fine to me. I don't normally have a temp sensor running so only have temperatures from when I have experimented with raising frequencies with nvidia control panel.

My idle temps are around 59 degrees - rising to circa 70 when clocked and running a game.

 

[RST101]

Thanks mate. My temps were higher with 9500gs but didn't know what to expect from this and although I had googled there are different temps because of the different brands.

Edit. Iv'e just been to an on-line power calc and it reckons I need a max of 240w with all the set up I have.

 

[Jac]

Lol - might be worth getting a bit more headroom then

 

[RST101]

That's exactly what I was going to do any way. I was more concerned with the immediate future as I wont be able to get one for a couple of day's until it is delivered. Thanks antway

 

[hkancyr]

My 8800GTX just died and I picked up a 9600GT and according to the WEI scores it is very close to the 8800 GTX. The GTX got 5.9 6.0 5.9 in the graphics section and the 9600GT got 5.9 5.9 5.9. Damn, the $460 price difference seems alot for a .1 gain in gaming graphics.
Which is to say the 9600GT 512 seems to be a very nice reasonably priced video card.

 

[johngalt]

I used eXtreme Outer Vision - eXtreme tools for computer enthusiasts and with my components, as listed to the left, I need 649W on a 90% load (this is including my OC to 3.21 GHz). I currently have a 780W PSU, so I am pretty good.

 

[skunksmash]

the overall ''wattage'' is nowhere near as important as the Amps... if there's not enough Amps it can seriously strain the card....

i think they ''recommend'' 28A on the 12v for the 9600, but you'll easily run it on 18A, anything below that may cause problems, or a lack of performance...

just remember a GFX card is better equipped to deal with too much power than too little...due to the fact it can regulate its power intake, but if its not getting enough there's nothing the card can do but go hungry......

i bet there's not even a dedicated 6pin on the 250w..??, i'd buy another one if i were you.

b/c a working system can fool you into a false sense of security, depending what peripherals you have, that PSU may be slowly melting... & there is a REAL possibility that (if/when) it pops the surge could take out a good few components with it.....

just my penny's worth.....






SK

 

[kpo6969]

EVGA | Products
9600GT 1GB

Requirements
Minimum of a 350 Watt power supply.
(Minimum recommended power supply with +12 Volt current rating of 18 Amps.)

Look for your psu here:

[WIP] ATX PSU Maximum Combined 12v Ratings - Guru3D.com Forums

 

[skunksmash]

& here's the ''PNY'' recommendation.....







SK

 

[kpo6969]

Xpert Vision 9600gt 1gig
No idea on the recommendation.
8800GT needs 22amps, 8800GTS 26amps

Wattage link for gpu's (FYI)

The Truth About Graphics Power Requirements V2 - Graphic Hardware - Forums - www.atomicmpc.com.au

 

[skunksmash]

Xpert Vision 9600gt 1gig
No idea on the recommendation.
8800GT needs 22amps, 8800GTS 26amps

Wattage link for gpu's (FYI)

The Truth About Graphics Power Requirements V2 - Graphic Hardware - Forums - www.atomicmpc.com.au

great link kpo6969......

its quite handy to know what GFX cards draw while idle & fully loaded...







SK

 

[nate42nd]

Thanks for the info guys. I needed to hook up two monitors and ended up going with a 9500GT. I only have a 300W PSU. It has been 2 weeks and seems to be fine. These are some good links....thanks.

 

[kurt]

the overall ''wattage'' is nowhere near as important as the Amps... if there's not enough Amps it can seriously strain the card....

i think they ''recommend'' 28A on the 12v for the 9600, but you'll easily run it on 18A, anything below that may cause problems, or a lack of performance...

just remember a GFX card is better equipped to deal with too much power than too little...due to the fact it can regulate its power intake, but if its not getting enough there's nothing the card can do but go hungry......

i bet there's not even a dedicated 6pin on the 250w..??, i'd buy another one if i were you.

b/c a working system can fool you into a false sense of security, depending what peripherals you have, that PSU may be slowly melting... & there is a REAL possibility that (if/when) it pops the surge could take out a good few components with it.....

just my penny's worth.....






SK

Your right sm, I had to doctor the cable to accommodate the six pin power supply because the standard one did not provide for it. I dont seem to be having any problems (touch wood) and all frame rates are as they were. I'm waiting for one as we speak to be delivered . Thanks everyone for your input, a your advise is invaluable as usual.

My 8800GTX just died and I picked up a 9600GT and according to the WEI scores it is very close to the 8800 GTX. The GTX got 5.9 6.0 5.9 in the graphics section and the 9600GT got 5.9 5.9 5.9. Damn, the $460 price difference seems alot for a .1 gain in gaming graphics.
Which is to say the 9600GT 512 seems to be a very nice reasonably priced video card.

Yeah they are great performers for the price, I paid £60 brand new ($87) so cant argue with that. All games have a great frame rate, especially when compared to the 9500gs I had.

 

[RST101]

How come my responses are under kurts name, above?

 

[Mark]

Sorry I think that may have been me, sorry I'm new to being a Mod.

 

[RST101]

Sorry I think that may have been me, sorry I'm new to being a Mod.

Apology accepted, I just hope kurts response wasn't to tell me his system blew up after two weeks of running the same set up otherwise my time on the forums end today as it's now two weeks I have had this psu and 9600gt. I'm hoping to take delivery of a new psu tomorrow.

I'm sure you will be modding with a quiet efficiency soon. Good luck!

 

[RST101]

Update for anybody that finds themselves with the same scenario. The psu took the knock yesterday and stopped giving any kind of power to the rail. It kept failing the post test. It was lucky that I got another 500w psu within half an hour of that one failing. A couple of things I've noticed are better frame rates (10-20) in some instances and also gpu temps are 6-7c lower now than with 250w psu. It is now idling at 45c and maxing at 63c. Thanks to all those who took the time out to give advise, cheers