How Much Power Do I Need??

Gone_Away · September 15, 2015, 10:05:45 PM

Hi Folks,

Looking at a new case and PSU and it dawned on me that I have no idea how much power I need..

Is 1000w too much? Is 850w too little??

Tutonic · September 15, 2015, 10:13:14 PM

Depends entirely on what's going in that case

I run mine on a good quality 600W which is enough for most builds. You generally only need to go right up to the 850-1000 mark if you have more than one GPU, but the key is to get one with a good efficiency rating.

Chaosphere · September 15, 2015, 10:22:44 PM

Modern GPUs use less power than their older counterparts.

Tut hit the nail on the head.

1 GPU, get a good 600W or so.
2 GPUs, bump it up to 800W.
3 GPUs, you have too much money and should consider giving me a hangout in addition to a getting a 1,000W PSU for your shiny PC.
4 GPUs, I don't want to talk to you anymore.

EDIT - and for reference, I own this -
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Corsair-CP-9020055-UK-Series-Modular-Supply/dp/B00FG9FTDI
and have ran 2x 980 TIs on it with no issues (nah, I don't own them

)

BrotherTobious · September 15, 2015, 10:29:33 PM

I am using a 750 on a 980gtx with no issues

Sent from my Nexus 5

Gone_Away · September 16, 2015, 10:32:55 AM

Looking at a new case with psu at the bottom. Any issues with cable length?

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Tutonic · September 16, 2015, 10:49:52 AM

Quote from: Ninja_Freak;403822Looking at a new case with psu at the bottom. Any issues with cable length?

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Probably not. Having the PSU at the base of the case has been the standard design for a while now, so PSU cables are usually designed with this in mind. Unless your case is an absolute monster *glances at TeaLeaf* it shouldn't be a problem.

It's worth spending the extra pounds to get a modular PSU - makes it much easier to manage the cabling inside the case.

Gorion · September 16, 2015, 10:55:38 AM

I use this one for my builds.

Never had any issues when I started using it. I would still go a little bit higher than what it told me.

Cable length problems will depend on the case you choose. Which one are you getting?

Gone_Away · September 16, 2015, 11:45:57 AM

Not entirely sure. Would like to go full tower but most likely settle for mid.

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BrotherTobious · September 16, 2015, 11:48:01 AM

The corsair 760 is modular and fits very nicely in a matx case

Sent from my Nexus 5

Gorion · September 16, 2015, 12:23:05 PM

You have to consider cable routing as well.

If you will be hiding cables underneath the mobo tray, then you will be using more cable length. I didn't have issues with an AX1000i in a Cosmos2 case, however them 5" bays are at the absolute limit.

Tutonic · September 16, 2015, 12:27:25 PM

You may want to give http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/ a browse. Select the case(s) you're interested in, and check out some of the completed builds people have done with them.

That should give you a good idea on what PSUs have been used successfully.