Questions about what 450W PSU can handle.

Hi guys.

Would these be ok with a 450 watt PSU?

It currently has these components and runs fine:
CPU: 64-bit 4x Intel Core i5-3470 CPU @ 3.20GHz
GPU: GeForce GTX650 (1GB)
RAM: 16GB DDR3
HDD: Seagate 2TB SATA 7200 HDD
Built-in Cardreader.
DVD RW Drive
USB Wireless Dongle

I'm thinking of adding this (and keeping the HDD):
1GB SSD

Is the worst that could happen if the PSU cannot handle it -- it does not start or shuts down expectantly?

Thanks.

 

Go here: http://powersupplycalculator.net/
plug in your hardware and calculate.

 

If the PSU cannot handle it, it can also damage the components.

77w for CPU
??w for motherboard which I assume will include audio
110w for video card
~8-10w for ram
~5-10w for HDD
~2-5 for SSD.
~15w maybe for DVD drive?


Here is the thing though. Your PSU is rated @ 450w, max output. It doesn't mean it will actually output that. If you get 80+ efficiency, you are looking at sags down to 360w output at times. What we added up here was 217 on the low end, and we don't even know how much the motherboard consumes.

I'd personally go with a 650 and sleep easier.

 

Hi Adrynalyne.

Sorry, I forgot to mention the mobo - I though it's would use a small amount of power. It's a ASUS P8H77-V LE.

 

Hi plodr.

I was unsure of the Fan specs so I chose quantity 1 (rear fan) and chose 120 mm (the middle option).

Recommended power supply: 333 W

 

I added a Sumsung 840 Evo.

Recommended power supply: 339 W

 

A good quality 450W PSU will be fine for those components - a mediocre (maker lying about specs/very old design/cheap components/poor workmanship) PSU might work fine sometimes...

I'd be confident running that on my Seasonic 360W but I'd not risk it on some crap '550W' that costs ~$20-30.

http://www.realhardtechx.com/index_archivos/Page362.htm - link to the eXtreme PSU calculator (most accurate I've found) and a large number of PSU reviews as well.

 

Seasonic is awesome.

 

I looked at my PSU today, it is a "hkc sz-450 pdr" -- seems a bit obscure.

More info: http://us.hardware.info/productinfo/138275/hkc-sz-450pdr-450w/specifications

 

Sold for 20-30 Euro, according to a quick search. Might be fine up to 250/300W for a couple of years or so but I'd not trust it for any 3D work/gaming on your rig.

Bad PSUs can take out other components, eg HDDs, motherboards when they go bang.

 

Hi satrow.

I presume bronze / silver / gold ratings do not apply to this PSU. I like my Desktop -- so perhaps I should get a decent Bronze PSU from someone like Cosair?

 

I doubt if any 80+ ratings would apply.

Easiest to opt for Seasonic/XFX PSUs (Seasonic make XFX PSUs), other brands are much more variable in the OEM maker, many have had highly rated ranges, only to switch to a poor maker part way through the lifespan of a 'model'.

There's a link from the URL I posted in #7 that you can check out the PSUs available to you from your usual supplier.

BeQuiet should be a reasonably safe alternative, they no longer use Seasonic but most of the design work is done in DE, current OEMs are HEC/FSP - but you'll need to study some reviews to ensure you pick a better model to be relatively safe. http://www.realhardtechx.com/index_archivos/Page1354.htm

XFX and BeQuiet are rare outside of EU, you might have to work through some DE/FR etc. reviews to get a feel for how they test.