Power supply not enough?

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  1. Posts : 26
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #1

    Power supply not enough?


    Hello,
    I recently built a new computer and it has been running fine without any problems. Although, whenever I play games like BF4 or CSGO the exhaust fan at the back seems to slow down a bit and has a little bit of clicking. Is my power supply enough for these components?
    Gigabyte R9 290 Windforce 3X
    Intel core i7 4770 3.4 ghz
    Asus Z87-C motherboard
    8GB G-Skill RAM 1600Mhz
    128GB SSD/640GB hard drive
    700 Watt Cooler Master PSU
    Zalman Z11 Case
    Thanks,
    Lachy
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 4,751
    Windows 7 Home Premium 32-Bit - Build 7600 SP1
       #2

    700 watts seems plenty to me
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 12,012
    Windows 7 Home Premium SP1, 64-bit
       #3

    From what I read the card can pull over 300 watts under a load. Based on that I'd say an honest 700 watt PSU would be OK, but..............Coolermaster PSUs don't seem to get the best reviews, so I don't know how much faith I'd have in it. Even if were good when new, it might be failing.

    Or am I misreading your hardware and you have 3 of these cards?
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 26
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #4

    ignatzatsonic said:

    Or am I misreading your hardware and you have 3 of these cards?
    Oops. You're not misreading, probably should have worded it better. Gigabyte's cooling solution is named "Windforce 3X" 3 fans. So the power supply should be okay?
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 11,424
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64
       #5

    I would use this calculator:

    eXtreme Power Supply Calculator
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 11,424
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64
       #6

    Good one card, as zero way you would get 3 cards powered during full tilt gaming with 700w.

    I would replace the fan, I think you just have a bad one.
    Last edited by linnemeyerhere; 31 Mar 2014 at 18:13.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 12,012
    Windows 7 Home Premium SP1, 64-bit
       #7

    Slothalicious said:
    ignatzatsonic said:

    Or am I misreading your hardware and you have 3 of these cards?
    Oops. You're not misreading, probably should have worded it better. Gigabyte's cooling solution is named "Windforce 3X" 3 fans. So the power supply should be okay?
    If it's a single card, the PC won't draw anywhere near 700 watts.

    Whether your PSU can supply that is another question. The watts stated on the label doesn't mean much and Coolermaster is not a highly regarded PSU brand. Maybe it can't provide a consistent 400.

    And/or it could be failing.

    I'd try to find reviews of your particular Coolermaster model.

    Or swap in another PSU and see if your problems go away.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 26
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #8

    ignatzatsonic said:
    Slothalicious said:
    ignatzatsonic said:

    Or am I misreading your hardware and you have 3 of these cards?
    Oops. You're not misreading, probably should have worded it better. Gigabyte's cooling solution is named "Windforce 3X" 3 fans. So the power supply should be okay?
    If it's a single card, the PC won't draw anywhere near 700 watts.

    Whether your PSU can supply that is another question. The watts stated on the label doesn't mean much and Coolermaster is not a highly regarded PSU brand. Maybe it can't provide a consistent 400.

    And/or it could be failing.

    I'd try to find reviews of your particular Coolermaster model.

    Or swap in another PSU and see if your problems go away.
    Alright. I did the calculator thing and it said that my Computer should use around 462 watts at 90% load. The only other power supply I've got is a 475 watt psu that came with a Dell XPS 9000. What should I do?
    My exact PSU: http://www.coolermaster.com/powersup.../thunder-700w/
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 12,012
    Windows 7 Home Premium SP1, 64-bit
       #9

    Calculators tend to overestimate requirements.

    If the 475 watt PSU has the right connectors, I'd at least try it. If the problems go away, you can be pretty sure the problem was with the Coolermaster.

    But---the Dell PSU may not be much better and you may be pushing its limits. But you can try it at least briefly as a test.

    On the other hand, the Coolermaster "problem" may not be significant and may just be a failing fan or due to the Coolermaster being pushed hard. Doesn't mean it's going to drop dead.

    You could get a Killawatt meter and actually find out how much power the PC is drawing. They cost about $20 and are pretty handy to have around the house.

    If you are going to buy another PSU, get a Seasonic or XFX in the 500 to 600 watt range.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 26
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #10

    ignatzatsonic said:
    Calculators tend to overestimate requirements.

    If the 475 watt PSU has the right connectors, I'd at least try it. If the problems go away, you can be pretty sure the problem was with the Coolermaster.

    But---the Dell PSU may not be much better and you may be pushing its limits. But you can try it at least briefly as a test.

    On the other hand, the Coolermaster "problem" may not be significant and may just be a failing fan or due to the Coolermaster being pushed hard. Doesn't mean it's going to drop dead.

    You could get a Killawatt meter and actually find out how much power the PC is drawing. They cost about $20 and are pretty handy to have around the house.

    If you are going to buy another PSU, get a Seasonic or XFX in the 500 to 600 watt range.
    Alright I might briefly try the Dell PSU sometime, yeah when I'm just idling or browsing the web the exhaust fan runs at maximum I'm guessing, then when I'm playing a game it slows down, it has a blue LED and the light shines onto the wall, when it's running fast you can't notice the blinking of it but when I'm in a game you can see the fan in the blue light.
      My Computer


 
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