Enough PS for new GPU?

[Rootstonian]

Currently running ATI X1950 Pro...nice card, a tad old.

I know I can get one of "today's" cards for what I paid for the 1950 that probably triple it's capacity. Just not sure on my power supply.

Antec Smartpower 2.0 450W..specs follow:

+12V1 is 15 amps, 12V2 is 17 amps


Why do I feel I already know the answer to this? LOL

Just checked BB's ad:

8800 GT OC 512 ram $199
9600 GT OC 512 ram $169

And they have 2 Gig Crucial DDR2 6400 RAM for $89.

[Rootstonian]

Just posting back to myself...

The more I'm researching this, I PROBABLY could get by with current PS, but why risk it for $30 to $50 for a new PS?

So I would then have a spare PS and the 1950 Pro collecting dust and be "out" $300 for some better gaming. I think I'm better off keeping the pc as is (1.8 ghz dual core, 2 gig ram) and saving up some more and just build a new gamer.

Damn, this build is only 18 months old! LOL I can build a quad core system built around a decent GPU for less than I built this one...ah...progress. Gotta love the computing world

Thing is, I don't game THAT much, but when I do, I want it fast. Probably better off putting a PS3 on the HDTV for $400 and getting the Blu-Ray player. Do note that I like gaming more on a PC in the man cave vs. out in the family room.

Oh well, rant mode off for now...maybe I'll just go get that Crucial DDR2 6400 ram for $90 just to have it! ROFL

[RamonGTP]

The 9600GT probably uses less power than the 1950 pro does, the 8800GT probably slightly more than he 1950 Pro. What is the amperage on the 12v rail(s) on the PSU?

A PS3 will cost you more than $400. Don't forget that you'll need to also buy an HDMI cable as well and atleast one game, you'll probably want the DVD remote as well.

[Atomic Rooster]

You should be OK with your Antec SM 2.0 450. The 8800GT OC requires a minimum of a 400W PSU w/22A on the 12V rails. The 9600GT OC needs 400W and 26A @ 12V.

If you are that worried about it, Newegg has an OCZ StealthXStream OCZ500SXS 500W for $69.99 ($49.99 after $20.00 Mail-In Rebate) that supplies plenty of power for any of the new video cards.

[carl33p]

Originally Posted by Rootstonian

And they have 2 Gig Crucial DDR2 6400 RAM for $89.

Thats horrible with todays prices!

You could grab 2GB (DDR2 6400) for as little as 40$ shipped.
Only 25$ if you dont mind rebates.


But if you are a Crucial Only kind of person:
Crucial Ballistix Tracer: 60$ or 30$ after MIR
LEDS on the ram

[Rootstonian]

Thanks Carl...should have knonw BB was overpriced.

GTP, I posted the amps in the OP...on 12v rail has 15 amps, the other has 17.

I'm seriously thinking about a road trip to BB; I have $10 off, so the 8800 GT would be $189....instant gratification (I'm sure it's cheaper if I order it ) And then I have the ATI 1950 Pro collecting dust...ugh!

Just got Hellgate London and it's an awesome game...just a tad bit of lag on the 1950 Pro on High settings.

I'll probably just wait it out...got the gov't $600 coming and that would be a good start to a Quad Core system; then part of me wants a Mac Mini for everyday surfing et. al use. Decisons, decisions

[KarmaKiller]

Roots, my gaming box has a 1.86Ghz Intel Core 2 chip, with the 9600gt, and it's smoking fast. There really is no need to upgrade your CPU. It will still handle everything you want it to..
And you'd be fine with the Antec PSU for either the 9600gt or 8800gt card.

[RamonGTP]

Sorry, missed the part where you listed the amperage. I think you should be fine to. My secondary gaming PC is running a 400watt FSP which IIRC has very similar 12v1 and 12v2 rails. And that one is running a C2D @3GHz 3 hard drives, 2 optical drives and a x1900xtx which actually consumes more power than either the 8800GT or 9600GT.

The only potential issue I see with the Antec is that their thermally controlled fan is set to a level that is way to conservative (or aggressive depending on how you look at it) it simply doesn't start spinning up fast enough when under load to adequately cool the PSU.

[Rootstonian]

I just can't force myself to "trash" the 1950 for a new card, but damn it, I want to buy something!!

Maybe I'll go get a UPS since we're heading into thunderstorm season! LOL

Or maybe a 150 gig Raptor!!

[Atomic Rooster]

You could always sell the X1950 on the forums.