what power supply for new ATi?
 

just picked up a 6950, but the current system has a 6yrs old 430watt PSU.
What should I buy that will last me another 6 yrs? something reliable is a must.

Antec TP New 750w has great reviews and is always on my wish list, but my buddy said it's overkilled, I don't need one unless there are 2 video cards. Should I go for more head room or get what I just need?

My Antec 550W cpu runs my 5850 just fine (pretty low wattage card combines with 95W cpu only)

What CPU do you have?

^ now E7200 @1.38v

Will get the newer quad-core Intel soon for sure.
Right now, 1SSD, 1HD, 1DVD, 3 12cm, 1 video card, 2 sticks of ram.
I can never figure out how much wattage I need.

Budget? What's the rest of your system like?

computer for light gaming? 650W should do it tx750W non modular is good too but its gonna be a mess in the box, but if you want to play safe go for 850W it doesn't hurt since in the later future who knows what they will come out with! it will be good for another 6 years again? :fullofwin:

http://www.corsair.com/learn_n_explore/

Corsair website has a power supply finder tool, gives you a general idea of how much you need.

750w is definitely overkill unless you really plan on running 2 vid cards. But I'd prefer to just upgrade the vid card after a year or two, rather than running 2 cards for lower power consumption and newer technology.

I'd say 550w is enough, but 650w for a little more wiggle room.

750W is the way to go. You may decide to add a 2nd video card and you will have that flexibility.

Price difference isnt that much more too

Get at least 650W, you might wind up wanting a high-end, high-TDP video card or SLI/Xfire setup in the future, and a great power supply is the one part you'll always be able to transfer from build to build.

with higher wattage power supplies you get get more energy wasting. i can't remember, but i think psu efficiency drops at low loads

Just because a power supply is rated at say 750w doesn't mean it will run at that all the time. It will scale down and supply whats needed maintaining a plus 80 efficiency. Its kinda dumb for a manufacturer to claim 80 plus only if its under high load.

^ you got that damn right :D

Antec TP750 is underrated as I read, actual output is far higher than 750watt (which I find it unbelievable).

Yes I don't want to go dual video cards, but we never know in the future we get dualcore on a single card.
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Silverstone SST-ST75F-P

Fully modular FTW

http://ncix.com/products/index.php?s...e%20Technology
5/5 on 5 Reviews

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...59&Tpk=ST75F-P
5/5 on 14 Reviews

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php...tory5&reid=183
9/10 and Recommended from Jonny Guru

I have the 850 Watt (ST85F-P) and it's amazing. Currently rocking an OCed Phenom II Quad @ 3.9 GHz and triple HD 5850s on it ... Did I mention it's fully modular ?

If I were to buy another PowerSupply it would be a Seasonic X series. Or Corsair AX series which are made by Seasonic. Modular, Fan stays off under 20% load, sanyo denki fan, at least a 5 year warranty.

XFX xxx edition 650watt seems decently price. I did a PSU calculator thing with my 3.0ghx AMD Phenom II quad with hd 5850, it came to "388Watts" required.

I dunno how accurate the calculator online is, but 388 isnt very high, i guess any 500watt will do the trick for you

I had an HD 4870 on an Antec Earthwatts EA-500 PSU and it didn't go so well. Random lockups, occasional BSOD ... Upgraded to a better PSU and never had a problem ...

The 5850 isn't as power hungry as the 4870 was, but I'd still go w/ at least a 500W PSU based on past experience plus the price difference isn't huge. Going w/ a larger PSU will afford you more upgrade opportunities.