512MB vidcard enough for these days?

[Andre S. Veteran]

And what the recommended output (12V) for an 4850/4770 ?

I don't know exactly, but I can assure you that it's more than your 15A. When I bought an X800XL about three years ago the recommended current was 18A so I suppose it's above 22-24 amps now. A quality 550W unit isn't expensive and it should last you quite a while.

In any case, meet the requirement or proceed at your own risk, that's all I can say.

It's better to have too much than too little, as it would impact other important aspects of the card's specifications.

Well, sure, but I'm just reporting what the benchmarks say. Some games and settings benefit a lot from 1GB, most don't. I wouldn't say 512MB is insufficient generally speaking, it's just not optimal. But again I'd rather have an HD 4870 512MB than an HD 4850 1GB.

[Cosmin]

I believe most top end cards require about 30 amps on the PCI-E rail, maybe you can get away with 22-25 for a mid range card

not even the most expensive models from antec cannot ouput 30amp, get real..

any recommended antec model? Dr_Asik.

[Hell-In-A-Handbasket]

they require 2 connectors, thats how they get the 30 i think.

just checked my 2 GTX280's requires 40amps each

not even the most expensive models from antec cannot ouput 30amp, get real..

any recommended antec model? Dr_Asik.

[+Mystic MVC]

Cosmin, I'll let you know how my friend's Sapphire 4770 turns out. He has been looking to upgrade his ATI HD 2400 for a while but I wasn't sure if his Dell's PSU had enough for a 4770. Luckily, the 4770 has GDDR5 memory, runs extremely cool, short profile (not very long), etc which makes up for the 512mb of memory

[Andre S. Veteran]

not even the most expensive models from antec cannot ouput 30amp, get real..

any recommended antec model? Dr_Asik.

Yeah, 30 amps would be the combined current from two or more rails.

I'm not a great reference in PSUs, I use an Antec Trio 550W for my 8800GTS 320MB which has similar requirements, it was cheap and it works well, I think the OCZ Stealth- and GameXStream are excellent values too. In general if you go with a reputable brand and get anything at or above 550W you're set for the next few years. But just in case check out reviews if in doubt.

[Cosmin]

Cosmin, I'll let you know how my friend's Sapphire 4770 turns out. He has been looking to upgrade his ATI HD 2400 for a while but I wasn't sure if his Dell's PSU had enough for a 4770. Luckily, the 4770 has GDDR5 memory, runs extremely cool, short profile (not very long), etc which makes up for the 512mb of memory

Thanks , waiting pm with details :)

Yeah, 30 amps would be the combined current from two or more rails.

I'm not a great reference in PSUs, I use an Antec Trio 550W for my 8800GTS 320MB which has similar requirements, it was cheap and it works well, I think the OCZ Stealth- and GameXStream are excellent values too. In general if you go with a reputable brand and get anything at or above 550W you're set for the next few years. But just in case check out reviews if in doubt.

So, it's important to check the 12V output max in terms of psu's ? I'll go with antec if I'll get a new one (must also fit my case - 80mm fan) , depends on Mystic words :) .. thanks.

Edited July 2, 2009 by Cosmin

[Hell-In-A-Handbasket]

connectors are also important, i got a 1100w PSU was short 2 connectors for the SLI, had to use the Adapters included with 1 of the cards, crap load of other connectors though, good thing its a modular PSU

So, it's important to check the 12V output max in terms of psu's ? I'll go with antec if I'll get a new one, depends on Mystic words :) .. thanks.

[+Mystic MVC]

Thanks , waiting pm with details :)

So, it's important to check the 12V output max in terms of psu's ? I'll go with antec if I'll get a new one (must also fit my case - 80mm fan) , depends on Mystic words :) .. thanks.

I should have mentioned he will hopefully have it by Friday (or regretfully Monday, come on UPS). Checking how many amps on the 12V rail is one of the most important things to look for. When I bought my Corsair 660HX, I noticed it had over 50.

[Andre S. Veteran]

So, it's important to check the 12V output max in terms of psu's ? I'll go with antec if I'll get a new one (must also fit my case - 80mm fan) , depends on Mystic words :) .. thanks.

Yeah the +12V rail is the most important rating, but in terms of specific amp for specific cards I'm not the reference... This is. :)

[Cosmin]

I don't know exactly, but I can assure you that it's more than your 15A. When I bought an X800XL about three years ago the recommended current was 18A so I suppose it's above 22-24 amps now. A quality 550W unit isn't expensive and it should last you quite a while.

I just don't get this thing ;)

[Xerxes]

It should be fine, more RAM is not always better! I've seen cards with less (but faster) RAM outperform cards with more (slower) RAM. Amount of RAM is only half the equation, you also need decent access speed/interface to be able to get the large amounts of data in and out of it quickly. 512Mb should be more then enough for the time being, it wasn't long ago that it was considered an obscene amount of RAM for a GPU!

[Cosmin]

Thanks!