core i3 and it's power supply

[kaisterkai]

6-pin PCI-E power connector is for your graphics card, yes.

Difference is that the Corsair is more efficient. For a 400watt PSU to be able to constantly output 400watts @ 12v it must be highly efficient. Your Proline probably outputs 250 - 300watts continuously, where the Corsair is [more than] 80% efficiency and is able to constantly output 360watts, making it highly efficient. Much safer, better warranty, longer lasting, etc.

So not all PSU have this PCI-E function? Because on my current GPU, it just uses a normal 4 pin to give power to the GPU... So i thought maybe it was the same for better GPU... Oh well..

 

[kaisterkai]

A 400W PSU will never be able to output 400W just on the 12V rails. The rated output is for the maximum output on all the rails (+12,-12,3.3,+5,-5) put together. Most of that will be on the +12 and +3.3 lines though. Also, the efficiency rating has nothing to do with the amount of power it can output. If it's rated at 400W, it means MAXIMUM 400W, and probably not for all that long. A safe bet is to take ~75% of the rated power output, and use that to decide if it's powerful enough. An efficiency of 80% would mean that, at it's most efficient point, your PSU outputs 80% of the power it takes in from the wall socket. Another thing to remember is a PSU is most efficient at 70-80% of it's rated output, so getting a 90% efficient 1000W PSU and only using it to power 300W worth of equipment is most likely worse than getting an 80% efficient 500W PSU.

As for the power on different rails, most branded PSUs will have a sticker saying the maximum current it can deliver for each rail. Multiply that number by the voltage of the rail, and you'll get the maximum power. IIRC, GPU and CPU use the +12V lines, HDDs, optical drives, and fans use +3.3V, motherboard uses the whole range.

So if say my 400W isn't enough... How will I know that it's not enough? Will the computer shut down and do other weird things? Because I'm just worried... Like I mentioned above.. I thought weird noises coming from my computer when it switches on means there isn't enough power for everything in the case...

 

[kaisterkai]

people heavily overrate required PSU's

i have an i7 920, 6gb ram, 6 HDD's, 6 fans, and a 4890.

and a 550 watt runs it perfectly. Yet every computer "wizard" said it needs 650 atleast.

i rate 400 will be more then enough for what you gonna be using.

I see.. then it's fine.. I was just scared as they said the I-series takes alot more that normal CPU in power...

^^ Correct. One other thing, the power rating for a Corsair PSU is a continuous rating whereas many of the other brands(Gigabyte, Coolermaster etc.) give the peak power rating but have a lower continuous rating.

So they are basically different by their amount out put and their continuous rate?

Genetic= less power but more continuous rate
Branded= more power and less continuous rate

Something like that?

 

[Archer]

If there is a severe lack of power (which in your there is NOT) then the PC wont even boot. If it is borderline, then when you do CPU/GPU intensive things (like game on max settings) the program may crash, or your PC will reboot. Just go here and work it out, your 400W PSU is more than enough

 

[KhoisanX]

So they are basically different by their amount out put and their continuous rate?

Genetic= less power but more continuous rate
Branded= more power and less continuous rate

Something like that?

Here are some review conclusions: Corsair CX400, Coolermaster 550W.

What I was trying to say is that you get what you pay for, if Corsair says 400W then you can draw up to 400W continuously, many of the other brands give a maximum power rating i.e. you can draw 550W, but only for a short period of time. The Coolermaster above is an example of this.

 

[kaisterkai]

If there is a severe lack of power (which in your there is NOT) then the PC wont even boot. If it is borderline, then when you do CPU/GPU intensive things (like game on max settings) the program may crash, or your PC will reboot. Just go here and work it out, your 400W PSU is more than enough

I see.. thanks for the help...

Can I just ask something else... If I install win 7 x64... What is like the min requirements for ram? 4GB?

 

[kaisterkai]

Here are some review conclusions: Corsair CX400, Coolermaster 550W.

What I was trying to say is that you get what you pay for, if Corsair says 400W then you can draw up to 400W continuously, many of the other brands give a maximum power rating i.e. you can draw 550W, but only for a short period of time. The Coolermaster above is an example of this.

I see.... Oh well.. but branded items are kind expensive.. so that will only come in later times... But thanks

 

[PostmanPot]

So not all PSU have this PCI-E function? Because on my current GPU, it just uses a normal 4 pin to give power to the GPU... So i thought maybe it was the same for better GPU... Oh well..

Cheapo entry-level unefficient PSUs generally do not have the 6-pin PCI-E connector.

 

[Archer]

You can get away with 2GB, but I will always recommend 4GB to be able to run Win7 properly

 

[kaisterkai]

Cheapo entry-level unefficient PSUs generally do not have the 6-pin PCI-E connector.

I see... but that means the GPU has this slot for the power? And if the PSU doesn't have that.. what will happen? Nothing? Or if you have it it will make the graphics better?

 

[kaisterkai]

You can get away with 2GB, but I will always recommend 4GB to be able to run Win7 properly

You talking about x64?

yeah.. but you see I'm getting a new computer without windows.. I want to install it... But I know one day I'm going to have more than 4GB... (Which win7 x84 can only take up to 4GB... ) But then I don't want to format the computer to change it to x64 again... But at the moment I only have 2 GB... so i don't know what to do...

 

[Archer]

The GPU gets 75W of power from the PCIe slot on the motherboard. Any additional power needs to come from the 6 pin (sometimes 8 pin) connectors from the PSU. I'm not sure what would happen, but I definately do not recommend not giving enough power to the card.

 

[PostmanPot]

I see... but that means the GPU has this slot for the power? And if the PSU doesn't have that.. what will happen? Nothing? Or if you have it it will make the graphics better?

Yes the GPU would need a 6-pin PCI-E port to make use of a 6-pin PCI-E power connector. Entry - entry-mid range graphics cards don't require 6-pin PCI-E power as they receive enough power through the PCI-E x16 slot.

If the PSU doesn't have a PCI-E 6-pin then it is likely that the PSU is too low a wattage and quality to support the graphics card, and wasn't designed for running mid-high end graphics cards (or graphics cards that require 6-pin power).

In many cases a graphics card that requires 6-pin power will still boot up without the 6-pin PCI-E power connector attached, but as soon as the graphics become intensive, the PCI-E 6-pin power is needed, otherwise the PC will restart.

In cases where the PSU is high enough wattage, but does not have a dedicated PCI-E 6-pin power cable, you can purchase a 4-pin Molex to 6-pin power converter.

 

[kaisterkai]

The GPU gets 75W of power from the PCIe slot on the motherboard. Any additional power needs to come from the 6 pin (sometimes 8 pin) connectors from the PSU. I'm not sure what would happen, but I definately do not recommend not giving enough power to the card.

But if the PSU have that 6-pin thing... then what? Is there a converter that can change the pins to something else?

Sigh..

 

[kaisterkai]

Yes the GPU would need a 6-pin PCI-E port to make use of a 6-pin PCI-E power connector. Entry - entry-mid range graphics cards don't require 6-pin PCI-E power as they receive enough power through the PCI-E x16 slot.

If the PSU doesn't have a PCI-E 6-pin then it is likely that the PSU is too low a wattage and quality to support the graphics card, and wasn't designed for running mid-high end graphics cards (or graphics cards that require 6-pin power).

In many cases a graphics card that requires 6-pin power will still boot up without the 6-pin PCI-E power connector attached, but as soon as the graphics become intensive, the PCI-E 6-pin power is needed, otherwise the PC will restart.

In cases where the PSU is high enough wattage, but does not have a dedicated PCI-E 6-pin power cable, you can purchase a 4-pin Molex to 6-pin power converter.

um.. if I may ask.. from where does the GPU need the 6-pins? From the 8/9-series? Or is it different for every card? Sigh.. building a computer is becoming more more difficult.. (T.T)

 

[Archer]

um.. if I may ask.. from where does the GPU need the 6-pins? From the 8/9-series? Or is it different for every card? Sigh.. building a computer is becoming more more difficult.. (T.T)

The manufacturer of the card will let you know in the spec sheet if additional power is required. It will say something like "Power Requirement: 500 Watt w/ two 6-pin power connectors"

 

[PostmanPot]

um.. if I may ask.. from where does the GPU need the 6-pins? From the 8/9-series? Or is it different for every card? Sigh.. building a computer is becoming more more difficult.. (T.T)

Most mid to mid-high cards from any series, at least from the past 4/5 years that I know of, will require a 6-pin for power.

 

[kaisterkai]

The manufacturer of the card will let you know in the spec sheet if additional power is required. It will say something like "Power Requirement: 500 Watt w/ two 6-pin power connectors"

Sigh that is so mean.. Everything needs to be upgraded,... SIGH!!!

I was thinking about a 9600GT... Does anyone know if this one needs it? I'm actually thinking... I think it does.. but I hope it doesn't... sigh because I might get this GPU.. not too sure yet..

 

[kaisterkai]

Most mid to mid-high cards from any series, at least from the past 4/5 years that I know of, will require a 6-pin for power.

I see... But if the PSU is like recent... But it's genetic... Will it have it by any chance?

 

[PostmanPot]

Sigh that is so mean.. Everything needs to be upgraded,... SIGH!!!

I was thinking about a 9600GT... Does anyone know if this one needs it? I'm actually thinking... I think it does.. but I hope it doesn't... sigh because I might get this GPU.. not too sure yet..

The bottom of the range one doesn't IIRC.