Can someone confirm my PSU requirements please?

[PatrickGSR94]

I'm finally bringing my home PC into this decade by installing Win7 Pro x64 this week. The current XP x86 installation has been having some bad problems the past couple of weeks, I think partly because of some malware I got a couple months back, and also partly because I was dual-booting XP and Win8 for a bit, and Win8 screwed it up bad to the point of the computer not being able to boot at all (no boot device found). Windows 8 is now completely gone and will NOT be coming back.

*edit* I posted about the problems I was having a couple of weeks ago here: http://www.eightforums.com/bsod-crashes-debugging/9639-sudden-complete-computer-failure.html

The system currently has some older hardware, which I'm planning on upgrading in the near future. It's currently running a Core2 Duo processor, Intel mobo, on-board graphics, 3GB RAM, 250GB boot drive and 1TB storage drive, DVD-RW and card reader, all powered by a relatively newer Antec EarthWatts 430W PSU. This PSU went in after an older Antec 450W PSU died.

So anyway, I'm planning on upgrading to the following components:
- i7 2600K 3.4 GHz
- Asus mobo with HDMI and 6 GB SATA connections
- 16GB Gskill Ripjaws DDR3-1600 RAM
- GeForce GTX 560 1GB GPU
- possibly a 128 GB SSD to replace the 250GB HDD (less than 40GB is currently in use for OS and apps)

I checked out the eXtreme Power Supply calculator and put in everything, and even said I would be running both HDD's plus a SSD (will probably only run the SSD and 1TB HDD), and it came up with 396 watts.

I typically keep this machine on 24/7 so that it can run updates and backups to external 1TB HDD overnight. I first built the machine in 2006, had some various parts fail including a 160 GB 10K RPM SATA drive catastrophically fail in 2009, at which point I swapped out to some different parts (CPU, mobo, HDD's), and later the PSU.

Would my current 430W PSU be sufficient or should I look at something else in the 500-600W range? I'd rather not have to take on that cost if I can help it, plus I don't think there's anything wrong with it, and I have no other use for it. Back when the system was connected to a UPS, the UPS software always reported that the system was only drawing just over 200W but I'm sure that was at a relatively idle state.

Any suggestions or comments?

 

[kbrady1979]

Just looking at Geforce GTX 560's, I can tell you most, if not all, recommend a 450 Watt power supply with two 6-pin power connectors. Unless you found some ultra-low-power-voodoo 560 video card, you need a beefier power supply.

Buy a 600+ Watt power supply with an 80+ Bronze or better rating and you'll be fine. I can recommend some if you want. Also, I just wanted to tell you that for about $30 more, you can go from a 1GB GTX 560 to a 2GB GTX 660.......both require 450 watts. Those new cards are A LOT less power hungry than last generation's Fermi based cards.

If you need advice on parts, don't be afraid to ask!

Kelly

 

[DeaconFrost]

There's no harm in going above what you think you need...and I always like to build in some extra, so the 600W would be plenty. Just make sure it is a quality brand.

 

[PatrickGSR94]

Just looking at Geforce GTX 560's, I can tell you most, if not all, recommend a 450 Watt power supply with two 6-pin power connectors. Unless you found some ultra-low-power-voodoo 560 video card, you need a beefier power supply.

Buy a 600+ Watt power supply with an 80+ Bronze or better rating and you'll be fine. I can recommend some if you want. Also, I just wanted to tell you that for about $30 more, you can go from a 1GB GTX 560 to a 2GB GTX 660.......both require 450 watts. Those new cards are A LOT less power hungry than last generation's Fermi based cards.

If you need advice on parts, don't be afraid to ask!

Kelly

Thanks, your suggestions would be appreciated. I'm partial to Antec myself, but the cheapest 600W Antec on Newegg is $110. Are there good ones for less?

Something else I'm noticing - seems like all the 500W-up PSU's I'm looking at have top-mounted fans. My tower case has no venting on the top surface. I think there may be some space between the top of the PSU and the top of the case but I'm not sure how much - will have to check this evening. Is that going to be a problem?

*edit* this is the case I have. It's BIG/TALL! Looks like there would be some amount of space above the PSU:

http://www.antec.com/product.php?id=667

 

[kbrady1979]

Most power supplies these days are made to work upside down/right-side up. Some will even have the writing on the sides match the orientation so you can read it no matter what. If you can't find an Antec that fits your price range, have a look on Newegg at Corsair and Seasonic. 600-650 Watt and 80+ Bronze would be what I would search for.

EDIT: I would assume your power supply in the case now has the cooling fan pointing up, since the shelf it sits on has no ventilation, when you get a new PSU, install it the same way. Is there any ventilation at the very top of your case?

 

[PatrickGSR94]

Most power supplies these days are made to work upside down/right-side up. Some will even have the writing on the sides match the orientation so you can read it no matter what. If you can't find an Antec that fits your price range, have a look on Newegg at Corsair and Seasonic. 600-650 Watt and 80+ Bronze would be what I would search for.

EDIT: I would assume your power supply in the case now has the cooling fan pointing up, since the shelf it sits on has no ventilation, when you get a new PSU, install it the same way. Is there any ventilation at the very top of your case?

My current Antec 430W Bronze PSU I believe pulls in air from the front side of the unit (facing the interior of the case) and exhausts out the rear side. It doesn't sit on a solid shelf. What you see in the pic are just rails on each side of the case chassis that the PSU sits on.

 

[kbrady1979]

Most power supplies these days are made to work upside down/right-side up. Some will even have the writing on the sides match the orientation so you can read it no matter what. If you can't find an Antec that fits your price range, have a look on Newegg at Corsair and Seasonic. 600-650 Watt and 80+ Bronze would be what I would search for.

EDIT: I would assume your power supply in the case now has the cooling fan pointing up, since the shelf it sits on has no ventilation, when you get a new PSU, install it the same way. Is there any ventilation at the very top of your case?

My current Antec 430W Bronze PSU I believe pulls in air from the front side of the unit (facing the interior of the case) and exhausts out the rear side. It doesn't sit on a solid shelf. What you see in the pic are just rails on each side of the case chassis that the PSU sits on.

OK. So if you get a new power supply, you could turn it either way and the fan would be unobstructed? All it needs is to get air in through the big fan and out through the rear fan.

 

[PatrickGSR94]

ohh I thought the big fan on top of most current PSU's was exhaust. Is it actually intake? I think that will work fine then, even with it pointed up in my case. I'd rather not point it down because then it would draw in hot(ter) air that's being exhausted off the CPU.

I guess I could bust out the power tools and cut a big hole in the top of my case.