PSU 450 max GPU

[Sidiox]

I am thinking about replacing my GPU as it is getting a bit weak nowadays and I was wondering which GPU I could choose regarding the PSU. (A new CPU might also be necessary) 

I have an 460 Watt PSU and currently a GTX 550Ti.

The thing is though that I bought this PC as a HP office PC and it already had an GTX 550Ti. But when I look on sites that do PSU calculation they usualy say that I need a 350-400W PSU.

So why is there a more powerfull PSU in my system and what are my limits regarding a new GPU.

 

Current specs

i5 2310 @2.9 turbo 3.1

GTX 550Ti reference

10GB ram (4+2+2+2) @ 1333MHz

1 HDD

1 Cardreader

1 CD rom drive

PCIe WiFi adapter

about about 5-8 usb devices

 

So what do you guys think that I could take for a GPU? I was thinking a 760 or 770 perhaps.

(also this isn't a gaming only machine so maybe first replacing the CPU?)

[RatedBlam]

Well is the PSU something OEM that HP uses? @Sidiox

 

If its actually good I guess it could support a gtx 770

[CthulDude]

Honestly, since it sounds oem, i would either get a new psu too or hope it will play something between a 660 gtx and 760 gtx.

 

550ti tdp = 120w , 660 tdp = 140w, 760 tdp = 170w

[Sidiox]

It is an OEM PSU indeed, but it is not that crappy (HP never fails on me). 

Also it turns out to be an 460watt

If I should take another PSU (which I could also do what do you guys suggest regarding watts and GPU)

[CthulDude]

It is an OEM PSU indeed, but it is not that crappy (HP never fails on me). 

Also it turns out to be an 460watt

If I should take another PSU (which I could also do what do you guys suggest regarding watts and GPU)

Is the 770gtx what you wanted?

[CthulDude]

How many pcie cables does your current psu have? I know it has one 6 pin for the 550ti. The 660 takes one 6 pin up to just about the max wattage it can handle. If you want to run a 770gtx or 7970 ghz ed i suggest at least a 600w bronze 80+ or 500w gold 80+ psu.

[Sidiox]

Well I don't have anything I want yet. I was just sort of windowshopping and seeing what I could get. I think that a GTX 660 (Ti) is the best option then. But again I was just seeing what I could get. And I might just build a new system, because if you change the PSU and GPU why not also the CPU, and then perhaps a new MOBO.

[CthulDude]

Well I don't have anything I want yet. I was just sort of windowshopping and seeing what I could get. I think that a GTX 660 (Ti) is the best option then. But again I was just seeing what I could get. And I might just build a new system, because if you change the PSU and GPU why not also the CPU, and then perhaps a new MOBO.

660ti requires two 6 pin pcie cables, so make sure your current psu has them. Also consider that for the price of the 660ti you can get a 760.

[Sidiox]

I might go for a GTX 660, as I can get that one quite cheap. Also I was wondering how much power my pc uses. So I put one of them wattmeters between the pc and wall socket.

It turns out that while running with full system load it uses only abotu 200-250W. This was tested with a few 3D mark applications (Vantage) and a few games (BF4, which fully loads my CPU and GPU). WHy is this, or can I push my GPU and CPU even futher with other tests.

[CthulDude]

I might go for a GTX 660, as I can get that one quite cheap. Also I was wondering how much power my pc uses. So I put one of them wattmeters between the pc and wall socket.

It turns out that while running with full system load it uses only abotu 200-250W. This was tested with a few 3D mark applications (Vantage) and a few games (BF4, which fully loads my CPU and GPU). WHy is this, or can I push my GPU and CPU even futher with other tests.

That sounds correct. Lets say your psu is 60%-70% efficient, cause a lot of generic psu's hover around there, then your psu will actually put out approximately 270w-320w. Look for the make and model of you psu and search it, I am sure you will find out some info. Another thing to worry about is if the psu has multiple rails, cause then you could run into the possibility of the 12v rail not having enough amperage to cover your gpu. If your psu has a single 12v then you don't have to worry about that and just focus on the psu having enough wattage to cover the gpu of your choice. Ultimately, if you plan on keeping that psu I would recommend a gtx660. Toss in another $60 for a corsair cx600 and you can get whatever gpu you'd like.

[Sidiox]

Well the only GPU I can get for a low price, like 120 for it, is the GTX 660. And I don't need more graphics horsepower. Only CPU. But thanks for your advice I will check the PSU first.

[TopNotchPCLol]

Hello, Logan recommended my friend a CX 430 along with a build that included a 6300 and a 7950 and it did not reach the power targets. Intel CPU's tend to draw even less power than AMD GPU's so you are fine. A 770 is only 30 watts more than a 7950

[CthulDude]

Hello, Logan recommended my friend a CX 430 along with a build that included a 6300 and a 7950 and it did not reach the power targets. Intel CPU's tend to draw even less power than AMD GPU's so you are fine. A 770 is only 30 watts more than a 7950

I agree with this to some extent.  I upgraded a system for a client recently and his cx430 couldn't even handle a fx6300 and GTX660. But you are comparing an oem 460w psu to a 430w 80+ bronze psu, their efficiency is going to be to deciding factor.