Will a Palit 9600GT SONIC 1GB run on a XPower 480w PSU?

[jmp_78]

I am pretty happy that for my budget / requirements, the Palit 9600GT Sonic with 1GB will be a nice replacement for my 7600GT.

However...

I am concerned (from what some PC shops have told me) that my XPower 480w PSU will not run this. I can't decide if they are just trying to upsell or not - different shops, differing opinions. Having read various reviews, I seem to get the impression that my system should be fine.

I am currently running an Athlon 4600+ Dual Core, 2GB RAM, GeForce 7600GT, 160GB HDD, and DVD writer (plus USB mouse & memory sticks!).

Please set my mind at ease

[Andy98765]

This may help How Much Power Does Your Graphics Card Need? : 3D Performance Requires The Most Electricity

[jmp_78]

Thanks. Sort of makes sense, but is very heavy going (in my newbie opinion!)

I get the impression that I need to check the 12V stat on the side of the PSU, and hopefully is mid-20's amps. If I'm not completely wrong that is

[Clunk]

Originally Posted by jmp_78

Thanks. Sort of makes sense, but is very heavy going (in my newbie opinion!)

I get the impression that I need to check the 12V stat on the side of the PSU, and hopefully is mid-20's amps. If I'm not completely wrong that is

If your PSU is the model here:
Retail Power Supply::X Power Light 480/580/680

then you should be fine. It has 300W i.e. 25A available across the 12V rails.

Particularly if your CPU is an AM2 EE 65W version (and thus uses less power from your 12V rails than the older S939 and AM2 versions of that processor).

[jmp_78]

Originally Posted by Clunk

If your PSU is the model here:

Originally Posted by Clunk

Retail Power Supply::X Power Light 480/580/680

then you should be fine. It has 300W i.e. 25A available across the 12V rails.

Particularly if your CPU is an AM2 EE 65W version (and thus uses less power from your 12V rails than the older S939 and AM2 versions of that processor).

Thanks, that's it. However, just called the shop that has the card and was told (by a different guy...) that it will definately NOT run a 9600GT Sonic. Apparently, I will need to buy a 650w PSU from them. Having a laugh..?

[jmp_78]

Right, last question I promise - I finally know what I want, just want somebody to tell me that it will be okay!!

Going for the Blue Storm II 500W (true power) PSU, and a PNY 9800GT XLR8 512MB.

The card requires "...a minimum of 400W, and a 12V current rating of 26A."

The PSU has written on it "... +12V1 = 18A and +12V2 = 18A."

So - am I being stupid, or do I just add these two together to make 36A, therefore fine for the 26A requirement?

Many many thanks again

[Clunk]

Originally Posted by jmp_78

Right, last question I promise - I finally know what I want, just want somebody to tell me that it will be okay!!

Going for the Blue Storm II 500W (true power) PSU, and a PNY 9800GT XLR8 512MB.

The card requires "...a minimum of 400W, and a 12V current rating of 26A."

The PSU has written on it "... +12V1 = 18A and +12V2 = 18A."

So - am I being stupid, or do I just add these two together to make 36A, therefore fine for the 26A requirement?

Many many thanks again

A common misconception, but NO!. A maximum of 18A can be provided on each rail in isolation, but that doesn't tell you the maximum that can be provided over both simultaneously.

Underneath (or sometimes next to) the iindividual rail totals you're looking at, there should be a combined 12V output total, in either Amps or Watts. If it's in Watts, then divide by 12 to get your Amps.

I've just had a quick look and I believe that unit has a total of around 34A on the combined rails (i.e. around 408 Watts). That's plenty. The Blue Storm PSU's are made by FSP group, who are one of the good guys in PSU manufacture.

[Clunk]

I still think you're wasting your money unless you're getting that card for around £90 mind. A HD 4830 (starting around £85) will be just as good. The 9800GT's are overpriced in most places at the moment, with nVidia relying on brand loyalty to make their profit. If you're paying £120ish, then you should be looking at the HD 4850 instead which is a better card than any 9800GT by some distance.

Still, the point is it is your money - so enjoy :D.

[jmp_78]

Thanks Clunk - you've been very helpful (over the last couple of days!!!)

I have to admit to being a GeForce sucker I'm afraid... £99 for the 9800GT XLR8.

[Clunk]

Originally Posted by jmp_78

Thanks Clunk - you've been very helpful (over the last couple of days!!!)

I have to admit to being a GeForce sucker I'm afraid... £99 for the 9800GT XLR8.

Well there's nothing wrong with the 8800/9800GT's at all. I'm using an 8800GT and am still very happy with it. That overclocked version should make you very happy.

ATI are being ruthless with their pricing by comparison, and offer much better value for money - but if you're looking for an nVidia card to match to your X2 4600 (been taking notes, see) then you've made a good choice. To be fair that's a good price in 9800GT terms in the current climate too.

[jmp_78]

Originally Posted by Clunk

if you're looking for an nVidia card to match to your X2 4600 (been taking notes, see) then you've made a good choice

Impressive

One more question now, haha! My motherboard is PCIe 16x... not 2.0. Will this be a massive problem???

[Clunk]

Originally Posted by jmp_78

Impressive

One more question now, haha! My motherboard is PCIe 16x... not 2.0. Will this be a massive problem???

It shouldn't be. PCIe 2.0 is backward compatible, and the 9800GT doesn't use much more bandwidth than that of an 8x slot - so the 16x is plenty.

However, there have been known to be exceptions to compatibility - what motherboard do you have?

[jmp_78]

Originally Posted by Clunk

However, there have been known to be exceptions to compatibility - what motherboard do you have?

Not exactly sure, but do know that it came as part of an Asus barebones system. Specs are as follows:

Base Unit = Asus V2-M2V8
Chipset = VIA K8M890

PS... In hindsight, I should have called this post "Last PSU THREAD, I promise - please advise!"

[jmp_78]

Wow... change of plan anyway.

9800 was from Play.com. so just called them and asked "if it's too big for my case, can I return it straight away?" They said "no, it will have been removed from the box".

Again... wow.

[Clunk]

Originally Posted by jmp_78

Not exactly sure, but do know that it came as part of an Asus barebones system. Specs are as follows:

Base Unit = Asus V2-M2V8
Chipset = VIA K8M890

PS... In hindsight, I should have called this post "Last PSU THREAD, I promise - please advise!"

Ugh - it's the VIA chipsets which apparently have the most common compatibility problems with PCIe 2.0...

That's not to say it definitely won't work, but before you shell out your cash, I would strongly advise trying to get the exact motherboard model and
1 - seek advice from the manufacturer (or Asus) and
2 - search for people with your mobo who have or haven't had success with a 9800GT (or PCIe 2.0 cards in general). Sorry - I can't help you any further on this one.