Question

Will my PSU run the 7900GS graphics card?

Asked by: acsell

Hello,

I have a cheap Jeantech 350W JNP-350P PSU and I would like to get a 7900GS graphics
card. I was wondering whether this PSU was powerful enough to run this card?

From what I can tell, the graphics card needs 22A over the 12V rail. Judging by the PSU ratings, I think it should run it.  12V1 = 15A and 12V2 = 18A (total = 33A)

The rest of the system doesn't take much power. ECS 915PL-A2 Motherboard, Pentium 4 3ghz CPU, 2x256mb DDR, 1 x SATA HDD, and DVD drive.

I realise you won't be able to give me a definitive answer but how likely is it that I will be able to run that card? I've heard that the amperage over the 12V rail can be over rated on the PSU label (especially for cheap PSU's).

If it won't, what is that best PCI-E card I can get for £40 or less that will run comfortably on that PSU and will run world of warcraft?. The previous card was a 6800XT so I know that should run. I know almost nothing about graphics cards though so I don't know what is good and what isn't.

Thanks,
Jonathan

p.s.
 I have also got a Zoostorm 300W (ZOO-6300HP) PSU but I don't think this will run it.
12V1 = 8A and 12V2 = 14A (total = 22A)

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Asked On
2008-06-04 at 05:18:51ID23456336
Tags

Nvidia

,

7900GS

,

Jeantech 350W JNP-350P PSU

Topics

Video Cards

,

Power Supplies / UPS

,

PC / Windows Games

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Answers

 

by: FoxenheimerPosted on 2008-06-04 at 05:50:20ID: 21709444

First of all, 512MB of Ram is surely a minimal ammount for playing WoW.

But, coming to the topic, 350W should do the job. However, obvious upgrade to 400W or 450W (not mentioning 500W and plus, its for power-builds) might come into hand. 350W is refered by many as minimum here.

If Your computer (mailny PSU) will start to heat more than normally and it will occasionally reset, this is the message for You to change PSU.

 

by: nobusPosted on 2008-06-04 at 06:49:02ID: 21710042

you can calculate the power you need here :  http://web.aanet.com.au/SnooP/psucalc.php      

 

by: PCBONEZPosted on 2008-06-05 at 03:04:32ID: 21717684

Okay:
First the 22 amps given on the video card documentation isn't additive to what the system already is, it's an assumption of the total needed for the system and the card. (That's the good news, now the bad.) Looking at a few 6800XT the number you got is pretty low, several others say 28 amps. I'm going to use the 28 amps.

Next (I'll add a pic below) despite what PSU advertisers want you to think there is essentially no such thing as separate 12v rails. They are separate in the regulation stages but jumpered together at the output stage of the PSU. (It is being called 'virtual rails' by some.) The only model of PSU by anyone that has legitimate split rails on the output only comes in over 1000 watt sizes and is in the $300-$350 price range.
The smallest wire I've seen used for those jumpers is good for 7-8 amps but I'll say 4 amps to be conservative. (Most of them have more than one jumper but I'm sticking with 4 amps anyway.)
- SO: 12v1 and 12v2 can send each other up to 4 amps to compensate for what looks like insufficient amps on the label data for those rails.

Can't just go by total watts anymore.
There are too many different board and PSU configurations and you need to look at the amps on each voltage these days.
The +5vsb for instance is a critical rail. That's the one that's 'on' 24/7 and is responsible for starting up the machine. Not one that you want overloaded and it might be overloaded 24/7.  

An Intel D915PBL has the same chipset and features (sound chip / LAN) as your board.
Intel's Technical Product Specs for their boards give a fairly detailed break down of the power consumption of a motherboard:
It's here:
http://download.intel.com/support/motherboards/desktop/d915pbl/sb/c6859901.pdf
Look under: Technical Reference -> Electrical Considerations -> DC Loading
In table 34 the 'Maximum Loading" numbers assume the CPU, RAM, and USB are loaded to the max the board is capable of but do not include the power used by cards in the add-in slots.
That's a good place to start because you know you will never go over that (without damaging the board).
That gives
+3.3v - 6 amps [IC chips, add-in card IC chips]
+5v - 14 amps [USB, Drives, IC chips, add-in card IC chips, RAM on some boards]
+12v - 16 amps [CPU, Drives, IC chips, add-in card IC chips, RAM on some boards]
-12v - 0.1 amps [IC chips, add-in card IC chips]
+5vsb - 1.4 amps [Standby Power, RAM on some boards]

Assuming the DVD is not a DVD-RW your HDD and DVD add about 2 amps to each the +5v and +12v

+3.3v -> 6 amps
+5v -> 14 + 2 = 16 amps
+12v -> 16 + 2 = 18 amps [over ridden by 28 amp assumption for video card.]
-12v -> 0.1 amps
+5vsb -> 1.4 amps

+3.3v x 6a = 19.8 watt
+5v x 16a = 80 watt
+12v x 28a = 336 watt [CPU rail needs 14a to 16a of this]
-12v x 0.1a = 1.2 watt
+5vsb x 1.4a = 7 watt

-> 444 watt

That's for your system in max (peak) power condition.
Most of the time you will be using less than that.
I would be looking at:
450 watt (or over) PSU's labeled for peak power.
400 watt (or over) PSU's labeled at nominal power.
[Usually only high end brands list nominal power.]

Make sure you check that the ALL OF ...
combined +3.3v/+5v
combined +12v1/+12v2
and +5vsb
... have enough amps.
And that the two 12v 'virtual' rails are within 4 amps of what is expected AND that the other 12v rail has enough room left to provide it.

.

 

by: acsellPosted on 2008-06-07 at 02:50:08ID: 21734893

Thanks for your replies.

Foxenheimer,

Yes, I think I will put more memory in it once it's up and running again. Thanks for the advise about the PSU, I have decided to buy a new 500W one to be on the safe side.

nobus,

Thanks, I had already seen that and by running my hardware through it, according to the result, it should run it. But, I have been told elsewhere that I should really be looking at replacing the PSU anyway. Apparently some PSU's don't give as much power as they state on their labels.

PCBONEZ,

That information is really useful. Thanks alot for working it out for me and explaining in such detail about how you did it. That information will also be useful to me in any future builds/upgrades so I will print it out to keep a copy of it.

I have been suggested the following PSU which I have ordered.

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/135159

And these are the details of the voltages etc-

http://www.ocztechnology.com/drivers/500wchart.JPG

From what you have said, it should have enough amps/watts to supply all my hardware at peak load.

Thanks,
Jonathan

 

by: Priest04Posted on 2008-06-07 at 16:21:09ID: 21737034

[quote]

+12v x 28a = 336 watt [CPU rail needs 14a to 16a of this]

[/quote]

I believe it should be

+12v x 18a = 216 watt [CPU rail needs 14a to 16a of this]

-> 324 watt

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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