PSU power? VOSTRO 460/ i7-2600/ GTX 750ti/ 400W RS-400-PCAP-A3

[th44]

Hi, I have business line DELL VOSTRO 460 with the following specification:
- CPU: i7-2600 + BOX
- MOBO: DELL 0Y2MRG H67 LGA1155
- RAM: 20GB DDR3 (2x8, 2x2)
- GPU: ASUS GTX 750ti 2GB GDDR5 with 1 fan (GTX750TI-PH-2GD5)
- PC-E: ASUS AC1200 PCE-AC55BT Wifi & Bluetooth adapter
- PC-E: DELOCK USB 3.0 x4 controller
- 1x SSD 240GB & 1x HDD 7.2k 2TB
- 1x fan
+
- PSU: COOLER MASTER RS-400-PCAP-A3

CPU, GPU & RAM without any OC.

I’ve put a very energy saving GPU (probably only RX 550 could compete), but still I’m a little bit worried about my PSU. Will it be able to handle?

400W theoretically should be fine, but this RS-400-PCAP-A3 has awful opinions and reviews, so I’m a little bit scared.

Thx 4 help.

 

[newtekie1]

Replace the PSU. It's borderline even with the setup you already have. That CoolerMaster unit is only really good for about 280w on the 12v rail, which is really low. There are much better units available for not a lot of money these days, it isn't worth risking the whole computer by cheaping out on a PSU.

If you give us a link to an online shop where you buy from, I'll be glad to take a look and give you some good reasonably priced options.

 

[EarthDog]

A i7-2600 (95W) and a 750Ti (60W) is not borderline on a modern 400W PSU (that PSU is modern enough where most of 12V is on 12V rail). The problem is the low quality and things like ripple and such out of spec according to one review. So I agree 100% with the sentiment of the above post and get a better PSU (EVGA B3 is a decent budget model - better than that anyway. ). That one can handle it, but has more notable issues than power capability.

There is no way that system pulls more than 250W when both GPU and CPU are fully pegged... I'd bet gaming is well under 200W, in fact.

 

[Bill_Bright]

Yeah, that PSU is on the edge right now. Assuming it is fairly new (has not suffered much from aging) and is otherwise in great condition, it could serve you well for years to come. On the other hand, all PSUs weaken over time and lose capability. And you have very little wiggle room for adding or upgrading any hardware.

Which brings me to my next point. Only 1 fan? I generally recommend at least 1 fan in front pulling cool air in, and 1 fan in back exhausting heated air out. The PSU fan does not count. So I would look at your case and see if it can support any additional fans, and if it does, I would consider adding a second "quality" (read: quiet) fan - as large as the case supports. Larger are better because they generally move more air while spinning at a slower speed. And slower fan rotation speeds generally means less noise. I hate fan noise!

Another issue with your current PSU is fan noise. With your current PSU running at near capacity more frequently, that could mean its fan would have to spin up to faster rotation speeds more often to keep it cool. And that would mean louder fan noise. And I hate fan noise. So if me, I would consider a nice 500 - 550W PSU - perhaps the EVGA (my preferred brand as of late) 550W G-2, if available in your area. A quality PSU (I also like Seasonic) would have a quality (read: quiet) fan to start, and with a 500 - 550W supply having more headroom when the computer is pulling maximum load, even then the PSU fan would barely need to spin - if it needs to spin at all! And that would mean less fan (or even no) noise. Did I mention I hate fan noise?

And another observation. While it is a general rule that more RAM always trumps faster RAM, there are always exceptions to the rule. Without knowing the specs of your current RAM, my concern is your 2 x 2GB may be a bottleneck, and worse, dragging down your 2 x 8GB of RAM. Depending on how your system is configured and how it manages memory, if your 2 x 2GB is slower RAM, it may be slowing your 2 x 8GB down to the 2 x 2GB speeds. If you only had 4GB or 8GB total, I would say don't worry about it. But 16GB is already a very respectable amount of RAM (often considered the "sweet spot"). I would look into the speeds of both and if the 2GB sticks are slower, I would consider running without them - or at the very least ensuring they are on the 2nd bank.

 

[eidairaman1]

Replace the PSU. It's borderline even with the setup you already have. That CoolerMaster unit is only really good for about 280w on the 12v rail, which is really low. There are much better units available for not a lot of money these days, it isn't worth risking the whole computer by cheaping out on a PSU.

If you give us a link to an online shop where you buy from, I'll be glad to take a look and give you some good reasonably priced options.

Here's the proof to affirm your statement.

I just dealt with someone that had a faulty 295x2 lo and behold his power supply was Cooler Master and it just don't have enough juice to run that card

As max power draw is 646w Watts and his powersupply was only able to produce like 360 out of 500.

 

[EarthDog]

Here's the proof to affirm your statement.

I just dealt with someone that had a faulty 295x2 lo and behold his power supply was Cooler Master and it just don't have enough juice to run that card

As max power draw is 646 Watts and is powersupply was only able to produce like 360

You know very well this is situation specific... and especially when dropping a 500W card that almost requires a true single rail PSU to run it properly isn't a great example compared to a system that won't draw half running P95 and furmark at the same time, lol. You don't even mention what PSU model and wattage to assert your point of it being over-rated!!!

I get it... I do... and know I'm splitting hairs here, but, you know better than to post such a vague anecdote and call it proof!!

 

[eidairaman1]

You know very well this is situation specific... and especially when dropping a 500W card that almost requires a true single rail PSU to run it properly isn't a great example compared to a system that won't draw half running P95 and furmark at the same time, lol. You don't even mention what PSU model and wattage to assert your point of it being over-rated!!!

I get it... I do... and know I'm splitting hairs here, but, you know better than to post such a vague anecdote and call it proof!!

On phone here see above @EarthDog.

Heres the link to other thread

https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/...working-no-display.250926/page-2#post-3967643

 

[EarthDog]

Well yeah. I wouldn't have put a 400W PSU with a 500W GPU only either.... if that is what you were saying...

Good call on the 12V rail for this PSU. 280W though, for the OP, is enough. Normal running that thing won't break 200W - maybe stressing both would. Maybe. Regardless, it is garbage though and needs tossed.


EDIT: I just looked at that thread. Funny.. it is a 500W PSU for a 500W GPU (JUST the GPU is 50)W).. LOL.. of course it wouldn't work. That doesn't show it is over rated either...that is just how it was done on older model PSUs back in the day. Leftover designs from PCs needing more 3.3/5V. Since that time, and even before, PCs used a lot more 12V and PSUs slid their power towards that rail instead.

Second, if it is a true dual rail, again we see the problem with a 500W card on a 500W (360W) PSU.

These are not really associated things.




Anyway, OP, get a new PSU.

 

[eidairaman1]

Heres whay I was talking about in the other thread too.

 

[newtekie1]

A i7-2600 (95W) and a 750Ti (60W) is not borderline on a modern 400W PSU (that PSU is modern enough where most of 12V is on 12V rail).

I suggest you go look up the PSU. IMO, 280w on the 12v isn't most of the capacity on the 12v rail and definite doesn't screem "modern" design to me. A modern designed "decent" 400w PSU should be closer to 380w+ on the 12v rail.

 

[EarthDog]

We covered that. Still plenty.

I thought this forum updates and notifies with edits and posts?

 

[eidairaman1]

We covered that.

I thought this forum updates and notifies with edits and posts?

Not 100%, there are threads I'm subscribed to and don't get notifications all the time.

 

[EarthDog]

Regardless.. covered. Its still enough power...if it wasn't a shitty psu overall.

 

[newtekie1]

We covered that. Still plenty.

I thought this forum updates and notifies with edits and posts?

Regardless.. covered. Its still enough power...if it wasn't a shitty psu overall.

But it really isn't. Sure, it is if you only consider the power draw of the CPU and GPU, but last time I checked there are a bunch of other devices that draw power too. The 2600 is 95w, the 750Ti is actually 75w(not 60w). The reference 750Ti is 60w, the model the OP has has a board power rating of 75w per ASUS. The motherboard uses another ~15w. The RAM is another ~10w. The two fans are another ~5w. The WLAN card is another ~5w.

Add it all up, and you get borderline on that 280w. Close enough that I would recommend replacing it, and if it was my system, I would. It isn't worth the risk, and a better unit can be had for cheap, a unit I wouldn't worry about failing.

 

[EarthDog]

But it really isn't. Sure, it is if you only consider the power draw of the CPU and GPU, but last time I checked there are a bunch of other devices that draw power too. The 2600 is 95w, the 750Ti is actually 75w(not 60w). The reference 750Ti is 60w, the model the OP has has a board power rating of 75w per ASUS. The motherboard uses another ~15w. The RAM is another ~10w. The two fans are another ~5w. The WLAN card is another ~5w.

Add it all up, and you get borderline on that 280w. Close enough that I would recommend replacing it, and if it was my system, I would. It isn't worth the risk, and a better unit can be had for cheap, a unit I wouldn't worry about failing.

Plenty of power. System wont pull over 200W unless you p95 the cpu and furmark the GPU. Basically, run everything at 100%. Nornal use that rig wont break 200W.

It's enough bone stock.


Again, I'd replace it because its garbage.


Edit: we dont have to agree... and frankly I apologize for bringing it up and splitting that hair. The point is, no matter if there is enough 12V W he needs to trash that thing.

 

[Mussels]

Dont forget the PSU could have aged as well, and may not provide its full power anymore. Sandy bridge is not new, so that PSU wont be either.
Personally, i'd upgrade the PSU first and then the GPU. The case cooling wont handle anything high wattage anyway, so maybe a 1050ti or 1060 (or AMD equiv)


What GPU are you upgrading to? The 750ti is faster than the RX550

 

[EarthDog]

It could have, indeed. So long as it can output 210W (newT's #...though there is one fan, not two and I'd guess fans are 5w or less) it would be ok. Nobody knows how much it can output. It may still be able to do it nameplate rating or less than what I said... no clue.

Either way this is sliced, OP needs another PSU. I wouldn't run it on that unit, but wouldn't hesitate on a quality unit running ~200W against a 280W max. That's in the sweet spot (71%). Surely there isnt an upgrade path or room for overclocking, but the op mentioned all stock.

 

[newtekie1]

newT's #...though there is one fan, not two

You're CPU heatsink doesn't have a fan on it? Cool!

 

[EarthDog]

Good point! Doesnt change anything though.

Happy New Year!

 

[Gutterbanger]

Here's the proof to affirm your statement.

I just dealt with someone that had a faulty 295x2 lo and behold his power supply was Cooler Master and it just don't have enough juice to run that card

As max power draw is 646w Watts and his powersupply was only able to produce like 360 out of 500.

A 1000W power supply will do you no better if it is faulty, Make sure your power supply is in good shape and you are good to go. IMO

 

[eidairaman1]

A 1000W power supply will do you no better if it is faulty, Make sure your power supply is in good shape and you are good to go. IMO

Erhem, been here since 2007, 20 years experience from 98-2018.

You weren't thinking when you made such a comment.

 

[Gutterbanger]

True a faulty 1000W power supply is all he needs, My bad. Have a good one.

 

[EarthDog]

True a faulty 1000W power supply is all he needs, My bad. Have a good one.

The problem, that may have been lost in the minutia (my bad), is the PSU is junk...reviewed as junk with things out of spec. So while I agree with 280W being enough, this PSU needs to go.

 

[Norton]

Help the OP or move along

Any further arguing will result in reply bans, infractions and other assorted unpleasantness- only public warning

 

[Bill_Bright]

Plenty of power.

It is not "plenty" but it is "enough" - as I noted way above in post #4.

Yeah, that PSU is on the edge right now. Assuming it is fairly new (has not suffered much from aging) and is otherwise in great condition, it could serve you well for years to come. On the other hand, all PSUs weaken over time and lose capability. And you have very little wiggle room for adding or upgrading any hardware.

So if me, I would consider a nice 500 - 550W PSU

To me, this is a no brainer.

@ th44 - You have already expressed doubts about your own PSU in your opening post. Since everything inside the computer depends on good, clean, stable power, just for your own peace of mind, you should replace it. Save the CM 400 for an emergency spare, or for testing drive motors and fans.

The problem, that may have been lost in the minutia (my bad), is the PSU is junk...

It was not lost - unless no one bothered read the th44's opening post. He clearly noted that PSU "has awful opinions and reviews"