GPU + PSU = Boom/Melt/Sparks?

[marlowe221]

Hi all, 

 

New guy here, so please go easy on me!

 

I am looking to upgrade my GPU to the R9 380. I have a Corsair CX600M PSU (I know, not the best in the world). I have a FX-8320 that I do not OC

 

Am I in good shape power-wise or not?

 

Edit: I am playing on a 1600 x 900 monitor if that makes any difference at all (it was free, so...)

 

Thanks!

[iamdarkyoshi]

I wouldnt trust it. An evga g2 will do a very good job.

[Sir Asvald]

Hi all, 

 

New guy here, so please go easy on me!

 

I am looking to upgrade my GPU to the R9 380. I have a Corsair CX600M PSU (I know, not the best in the world). I have a FX-8320 that I do not OC

 

Am I in good shape power-wise or not?

 

Thanks!

Those are mostly for Basic systems, the CX PSUs, as long as you dont OC. Then you're fine-ish? I guess. But If you had the money, get an EVGA or SeaSonic,

[Kinda Bottlenecked]

It'll be fine. But change the CX when you can.

[Kobathor]

If you ask anybody here that does't have that PSU, I'd say no.

 

People with it say it's fine. But it's not safe. I wouldn't either way.

[PlayStation 2]

Welp...

[marlowe221]

Oh wow, thanks for all the replies so fast!

 

Sadly, I cannot afford to upgrade both the GPU and the PSU at the moment.

 

My alternative GPU candidate is a GTX 970. Would my not-so-great PSU be able to handle that?

[don_svetlio]

Oh wow, thanks for all the replies so fast!

 

Sadly, I cannot afford to upgrade both the GPU and the PSU at the moment.

 

My alternative GPU candidate is a GTX 970. Would my not-so-great PSU be able to handle that?

nope - a 970 draws the same or more and outputs a decent amount of heat. I'd say get an XFX TS PSU - those are dirt cheap.

[iamdarkyoshi]

The CX SHOULD do fine but MAKE SURE it stays cool. Its operating temps are absolutely pathetic. If it gets air from the bottom of the case, it MIGHT be able to handle it, if it is on the top of the case, please enhance its airflow by taping a higher speed fan over the existing one. actually, do this in either placement...

[Guest]

Oh wow, thanks for all the replies so fast!

 

Sadly, I cannot afford to upgrade both the GPU and the PSU at the moment.

 

My alternative GPU candidate is a GTX 970. Would my not-so-great PSU be able to handle that?

 

Look, no one on this forum is going to recommend a CX PSU, and I'm sure they have good reason. That's no reason to give you flat out incorrect information. A co-worker of mine has a 970 running on a CX600 and it works completely fine and continues to. Take that for what you will, I'm sure people will throw things at me for saying it.

[don_svetlio]

Look, no one on this forum is going to recommend a CX PSU, and I'm sure they have good reason. That's no reason to give you flat out incorrect information. A co-worker of mine has a 970 running on a CX600 and it works completely fine and continues to. Take that for what you will, I'm sure people will throw things at me for saying it.

Throw stuff you said?

[Kinda Bottlenecked]

Oh wow, thanks for all the replies so fast!

 

Sadly, I cannot afford to upgrade both the GPU and the PSU at the moment.

 

My alternative GPU candidate is a GTX 970. Would my not-so-great PSU be able to handle that?

 

Your PSU won't pop that fast. But I wouldn't trust the CX with the 970 either since even though the average power consumption is low. There are voltage spikes in between that can go up to 300w. 

 

I'd suggest going 380 first and don't OC anything. Then save up for a new( and good) PSU and replace that CX asap. 

[don_svetlio]

Your PSU won't pop that fast. But I wouldn't trust the CX with the 970 either since even though the average power consumption is low. There are voltage spikes in between that can go up to 300w. 

 

I'd suggest going 380 first and don't OC anything. Then save up for a new( and good) PSU and replace that CX asap. 

I'm not sure if it would help but maybe keeping the case open would reduce the heat build-up around the CX.

[Guest]

Throw stuff you said?

Yea that's how I pictured it, lol. Awesome show.

[Kinda Bottlenecked]

I'm not sure if it would help but maybe keeping the case open would reduce the heat build-up around the CX.

 

Letting it have fresh air intake is important 

[don_svetlio]

Letting it have fresh air intake is important 

All I know is when my case is open the PSU is significantly cooler than when it's not. But then again I have no airflow so that's also a thing

[Kinda Bottlenecked]

All I know is when my case is open the PSU is significantly cooler than when it's not. But then again I have no airflow so that's also a thing

 

I have my PSU intake pointing down so it take fresh air from the bottom. It has its own air loop. 

[don_svetlio]

I have my PSU intake pointing down so it take fresh air from the bottom. It has its own air loop. 

Mine too - but the fan-curve is so conservative that it warms up nicely. Thankfully - SeaSonic ones can probably last on the sun itself

[Kinda Bottlenecked]

Mine too - but the fan-curve is so conservative that it warms up nicely. Thankfully - SeaSonic ones can probably last on the sun itself

 

I've never been able to hear my Golden Green unit. Even when the 390x was overvolted to 1.4v and CPU stressed. It just chugs along like nothing happens. 

[don_svetlio]

I've never been able to hear my Golden Green unit. Even when the 390x was overvolted to 1.4v and CPU stressed. It just chugs along like nothing happens. 

Can't beat my 600-700 RPM

[marlowe221]

I have a decent Enermax case with lots of ventilation, 2 fans and good air flow. It's a mid-ATX and sits up on a shelf that has slats on the bottom and allows air all around. And yeah, my PSU is pointed fan-down over the bottom vent.

[don_svetlio]

I have a decent Enermax case with lots of ventilation, 2 fans and good air flow. It's a mid-ATX and sits up on a shelf that has slats on the bottom and allows air all around. And yeah, my PSU is pointed fan-down over the bottom vent.

I have 3 fans and my PSU gets warm - lave the case open if you ask me.

[marlowe221]

So.... should I be looking at the 960 and/or R9 380 instead?

 

PSU aside, would I be CPU bottlenecked at 900p with a 970 or 390?

[don_svetlio]

So.... should I be looking at the 960 and/or R9 380 instead?

 

PSU aside, would I be CPU bottlenecked at 900p with a 970 or 390?

960 and 380 both pull about the same. 970 pulls around 40W more than them and 390 pulls 100-120W more. Honestly - a 380 would probably be safer but still VERY bad with a CX. I'm sorry man, CX are designed for i3s and USB printers. Not gaming machines. They weren't intended to power GPUs - the fact that 600W+ models exist is a travesty in my opinion.

[marlowe221]

960 and 380 both pull about the same. 970 pulls around 40W more than them and 390 pulls 100-120W more. Honestly - a 380 would probably be safer but still VERY bad with a CX. I'm sorry man, CX are designed for i3s and USB printers. Not gaming machines. They weren't intended to power GPUs - the fact that 600W+ models exist is a travesty in my opinion.

 

Well, that is disappointing.

 

I kind of cobbled this system together from some free parts and a few that I bought.

 

Looks like I'm buying another power supply...