quick question about GPUs and power supplys

jackers1234

jackers1234

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Jun 2006

My House

N/A

Mo/Me

I was just wondering what the most powerful ATi graphics card I would be able to get to work smoothly on a 500W PSU without straining the power.

I currently have an AMD 6000+ X2 processor, along with a basic AM2 socket motherboard.

Thanks in advance.

Burst Cancel

Burst Cancel

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Dec 2006

Domain of Broken Game Mechanics

Insufficient information. Please post the PSU model.

Provisionally, assuming your PSU isn't complete shit, you should be able to use any single-GPU card, including the new 5870. If you're really confident in the quality of your PSU, you could probably run two; i7 920 sli/crossfire setups typically draw just north of ~400W at the wall.

Edit: Keep in mind that the efficiency band for most PSUs is in the 30~70% load range, with the peak efficiency just around 50% load.

Elder III

Elder III

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jan 2007

Ohio

I Will Never Join Your Guild (NTY)

R/

what's the brand and model of power supply? There should be a sticker on the side that lists the amount of amps on the +12volt rail (or rails)....