Video Card Power requirement

Glocksman · Post by **Glocksman** » 2006-05-08 02:17am

Uraniun235 wrote:
Vertigo1 wrote:No, this is overkill. That 550 will run with that system he posted, and future upgrades for some time. Remember, the point of upgrading is not to suit your current needs, but to keep you going for years if possible.
If he upgrades his system, his power needs may well go down, considering that that Prescott processor of his draws over ten amps on the 12v.

True.
Intel's upcoming Core line is supposed to be much less power hungry (and heat producing) than the current Prescott processors are.
Also, my AMD San Diego cored 3700+ (overclocked to 2.65 Ghz for roughly FX55 performance) consumes about half the power of a Pentium 4 540 processor.
OTOH, video cards just seem to get more and more power hungry with each generation.

It all depends upon just what kind of user he is.
If he constantly upgrades and builds his own machines, the Antec would be worth the extra money.
But if he just wants a reliable replacement PSU to run a more power intensive video card and plans on replacing the entire system at some point with a new one rather than upgrading it component by component, the Sparkle is the better buy.

Melkor · Post by **Melkor** » 2006-05-08 09:31am

Glocksman wrote: It all depends upon just what kind of user he is.
If he constantly upgrades and builds his own machines, the Antec would be worth the extra money.
But if he just wants a reliable replacement PSU to run a more power intensive video card and plans on replacing the entire system at some point with a new one rather than upgrading it component by component, the Sparkle is the better buy.

Yeah, once the new card doesn't cut it anymore I'll be on the market for a new computer.

Melkor · Post by **Melkor** » 2006-05-11 01:41pm

Having a bit of a problem here now. I've moved back into my house from school, and as I was setting my computer up, I've noticed that when it is plugged in I get a shock if I touch the case. The original power supply is still in, and I'm almost positive that whatever I unplugged while snooping around the case went right back in the proper slot, and that I didn't have this problem back at school. Is it possible something was damaged by during the car trip home? I haven't turned the damn thing on yet and I get a shock even if the power strip switch is flipped to off(but still plugged in). I'm assuming it would be stupid to put in the new power supply until I figure out the problem, and that I should just get some professional help, but I was curious if anyone knew what would cause this or have any advice.

Glocksman · Post by **Glocksman** » 2006-05-11 02:48pm

If your power strip is 'off' and you're still getting a shock, are you sure it's not just static electricity?
Try plugging the computer straight into the wall socket.

Melkor · Post by **Melkor** » 2006-05-11 03:14pm

We have no wall outlet within reach. We have a belkin surge protector and plugged into that is an extension cord. At the end of that is a second surge protector. That is what the computer was plugged into. Just plugging the computer into the extension cord made no difference. In any case there is also an older computer plugged into the second surge protector and that one is fine.

Glocksman · Post by **Glocksman** » 2006-05-11 03:19pm

I'm no expert, but it sounds as if the PSU has a grounding issue.
Replacing it should solve the problem.

Melkor · Post by **Melkor** » 2006-05-11 03:26pm

I'll try putting in the new PSU tommorow. It's so weird for it to all of a sudden be doing this.

Vertigo1 · Post by **Vertigo1** » 2006-05-11 05:05pm

Melkor wrote:We have no wall outlet within reach. We have a belkin surge protector and plugged into that is an extension cord. At the end of that is a second surge protector. That is what the computer was plugged into. Just plugging the computer into the extension cord made no difference. In any case there is also an older computer plugged into the second surge protector and that one is fine.

Have you tried another cord? Take the chassis to where you ran the cord to and fire it up. If it does it there, then find another location in the house. I seriously doubt its the fault of the power supply, because if it was it would have done this at ANY location. This is a wiring issue, nothing more. You've got a faulty ground somewhere along the line, which is why you're getting zapped.

And just FYI, those surge outlets aren't doing you any good. All thats between you and the outside world is a simple 30A (Thirty Ampere) fuse. Thats fine for minor power surges, but thats not going to protect you from anything larger than that.

Melkor · Post by **Melkor** » 2006-05-12 12:01am

Glocksman and Vertigo thanks so much. It turns out to be exactly what you guys said. The extension cord was missing the grounding prong. It just wasn't there. And that's why I was getting zapped just from touching the case. I also installed the new power supply with no probs, and it's working like a charm. Now after I download the drivers I'm installing my shiny new video card. Thanks again. I really apreciate all the help.