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Thread: Could my PSU handle an upgrade?

  1. #1
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    Could my PSU handle an upgrade?

    Hi all,

    To cut a long story short.... I will be coming into some money in the next month or so, so was looking at treating myself to a new graphics card to replace the 8800GT I currently have

    My question is whether or not my PSU could handle an upgrade bearing in mind what I currently have in my machine (see my spec)???
    For those who can't see it, or are too lazy to look , it is the Antec Earthwatts 500W unit that came bundled with the Antec Sonata III case, with an E8400, 4gig RAM (just noticed that is not updated in my spec), 3 x HDD, 1 DVD drive and the 8800GT currently
    Everything is stock, so would it handle a 58** series card or would you recommend replacing it?

    Cheers in advance

    Glenn

  2. #2
    Moosing about! CAT-THE-FIFTH's Avatar
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    Re: Could my PSU handle an upgrade?

    The HD5850 has lower power consumption than an HD4870 1GB so in theory your Antec should be able handle unless it is considered one of their worse units.

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    BigGlenn (22-10-2009)

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    Senior Member Ulti's Avatar
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    Re: Could my PSU handle an upgrade?

    I'd say it would be able to handle it.

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    BigGlenn (22-10-2009)

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    Not a good person scaryjim's Avatar
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    Re: Could my PSU handle an upgrade?

    Simple answer: yes

    500W is more than enough for a single gfx high end rig. And the Antec Earthwatts are good quality well made PSUs, so it'll be able to push out plenty of current. You have no concerns

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    BigGlenn (22-10-2009)

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    Re: Could my PSU handle an upgrade?

    Cheers folks, just need to wait for the money to come through then

  9. #6
    Senior Member Pob255's Avatar
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    Re: Could my PSU handle an upgrade?

    Antec earth Watts were made by seasonic, I think the newer ones are CWT, combined with the relatively low power needs of a e8400 it should eaisly cope with a single high end card or a couple of lower power cards.

    5850 would be good or maybe a 5870 depending on how much you can afford

  10. Received thanks from:

    BigGlenn (23-10-2009)

  11. #7
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    • BigGlenn's system
      • Motherboard:
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      • Memory:
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      • Storage:
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      • Graphics card(s):
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      • PSU:
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      • Case:
      • Antec Sonata III
      • Operating System:
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      • Monitor(s):
      • LG W2261V 1920x1080
      • Internet:
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    Re: Could my PSU handle an upgrade?

    Cheers Pob,

    I am in the fortunate position of being able to afford either of those cards (in fact, I could afford 2 x 5870 if I really wanted them) but also want to weigh up the 'best bang for your pound' as well, although running at the res of 1920x1080 I am leaning towards the 5870 so that I don't need to worry about anything not running too well for a little while

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