getting powerful graphics card, need PSU as well??

[curiousone]

I am soon going to purchase a better graphics card for mining with.  I have a basic unbranded 500w PSU, does this mean I have to pay even more for a better brand 950w PSU?  For example, if the graphics card mines at 240MH/s at 800w, would it be greatly reduced running on my crappy unbranded 500w?

Thanks

[1713886562]

1713886562

[1713886562]

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[Deimos_Anomaly]

Will you be using this rig for mining only?
If so the CPU will not be used much so the total power draw of the system won't be that high.
My 5850 is rated at 160w (if I remember correctly). I havn't checked my total power draw, but suspect it is ~250w while mining.

[curiousone]

Not just for mining only, but I could always pause when i'm watching a video or something..

Also, i'm probably going to go against everything i've taught myself and purchase a reconditioned graphics card.. but its from pixmania.co.uk who offer 1 year warranty and have tons of good reviews, seems like a risk worth taking.

I hope to hear more peoples opinions on using a 500w unbranded basic psu with a powerfull graphics card. 

Thanks

[Deimos_Anomaly]

Well then it depends on what card you are getting and the rest of your system.

I have a 5850 and PII x4 965 on a high quality 500w PSU, but I would not have taken the chance of running it on a low quality 500w PSU.

[curiousone]

Thanks for your reply.  How many MH/s are you getting off that? 

https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Mining_hardware_comparison

On here the lowest displayed wattage is 725 and is mining at 240MH/s.


Can anyone else chip in with their thoughts on the need for a high powered PSU alongside the high powered graphics card for mining?  I'd obviously prefer to stick with my current PSU and just pause the miner whilst watching videos etc.

[Lucario]

725W seems really high; I'm getting 500+MWH with my machine that's averaging at under 400w....

[curiousone]

thanks for reply lucario!  your getting over 500 mega hashes on a low power PSU?? excellent!

Whats your PSU power and graphics card? 

Thanks

[Deimos_Anomaly]

Thanks for your reply.  How many MH/s are you getting off that? 

https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Mining_hardware_comparison

On here the lowest displayed wattage is 725 and is mining at 240MH/s.


Can anyone else chip in with their thoughts on the need for a high powered PSU alongside the high powered graphics card for mining?  I'd obviously prefer to stick with my current PSU and just pause the miner whilst watching videos etc.

Clock 725
Wattage 151

You're reading it wrong 

I'm getting ~290MHps slightly OC'd

[curiousone]

excuse my ignorance, sorry, does clocked mean its advertised as 725 and the wattage your card is using is 151?  Thanks 

[Deimos_Anomaly]

Yes

725 is default clock for 5850.
151 watt is TDP (maximum power), actual power is usually lower.

[curiousone]

hahaha! I just see what you mean, like a complete simpleton i've misread the watts on the list, hehe 

thanks for all your advice, thank god I didn't spend a load of cash on a 1000kw PSU! 

[Deimos_Anomaly]

Yes, a 1000kw would be overkill 

[DJcoins]

1000W will run 4 GPUS without any problems

[f8ttco]

FYI, I once tried running a non-oc'ed 5970 on an unbranded 450W PSU. That went fine for some until the PSU died.

You can try with your setup, but you may have to buy a new PSU anyway.