PSU - is 300 W enough?

Piscium

Hiya,

This computer has a 300 Watts PSU:
http://www.komplett.ie/Komplett/product/computers/80005206/asus_cm6650_bn002o_i7_2600_8gb_2tb_gt530/details.aspx

I am not a gamer, so as far as GPU power consumption, the highest would be when watching the occasional DVD or (frequent) video clip. I would use the CPU at 100% occasionally, when building software from source packages (on Linux) as that can use all the cores.

I wonder if 300 Watts is enough for this use case?

Torqay

The PSU is sufficient for the GT 530, not a very demanding card.

Maximum Graphics Card Power (W): 50W

Tea_Bag

STOP! dont go near that thing.

go to this sub-forum and start a new thread there with your answers to the questions in my signature. We'll build a more suitable rig for all your needs.

Tallon

Why the hell does an i7 machine come with a 300w PSU.. What?!

Torqay

Tea_Bag wrote: »

STOP! dont go near that thing.

Getting a bit FUDdy, are you? It's nice of you to offer building a PC for the TS and we all love to support our locals, but would you care to elaborate on your statement?

A decently specced mid-range computer from a renowned manufacturer. Absolutely nothing wrong with it, since it also comes with a warranty. It is of course not a gaming machine. If, however, you plan upgrading to a high-end GPU later, then you will indeed have to upgrade the PSU as well, otherwise 300W are plenty to use this entry-level graphics card.

Torqay

Tallon wrote: »

Why the hell does an i7 machine come with a 300w PSU.. What?!

Not uncommon, I just happen to sit in front of a Dell Optiplex 790 as we speak, Core i7 2600 and a 250W PSU.

Piscium

Torqay wrote: »

The PSU is sufficient for the GT 530, not a very demanding card.

Maximum Graphics Card Power (W): 50W

Thanks, Torqay. I did a bit more research and the i7-2600 CPU has a "Thermal design power" of 95 W [1] (which according to Wikipedia is not the same as the maximum power consumed but gives an idea about it).

50 W + 95 W = 145 W so it looks like 300 W is enough.

[1] http://ark.intel.com/products/52213

Piscium

Thanks everybody for the helpful and informative comments.

I also considered building it myself, and may still do so, it is just that I am realizing that selecting all the components, buying them and putting the PC together would take a fair amount of time, so it might be worthwhile to buy one ready made. Also the thing about gluing the CPU to the cooler scares me a bit! And as Torquay said the Asus PC should have some sort of warranty. One advantage of building a PC is that I would not have to pay for a Windows license, which I have no need for.

Torqay

It's definitely enough for what it is advertised, a multimedia computer. And although a low-end GPU, the GT 530 does have CUDA, which in combination with the raw CPU power of the i7 makes it a decent photo and video editing machine (Adobe stuff really shines with CUDA). But definetely not a gaming PC.

Just for multimedia it's a bit of an overkill though because you'll get a sufficently powerd computer for such needs at half the price.

uncle_sam_ie

You'd get better value building your own. As far as warranty, Asus RMA service is suppose to be horrendous. Although, Kompett will cover you for 2 years. Why not go over to the Building and Upgrading forum and see what they can build for at that price. Seeing you live in Dublin I bet there would be many over there that would build it for you for free. It Doesn't hurt to at least find out what they can build before you go jumping into a pre built.

yoyo

+1 op build your own, most boxed computers are let down in many ways, small case (limited upgrade potential later on), low power PSUs (and sometimes manufacturer specific ones so difficult to replace later on) etc. I'll move this over to the building & upgrading forum for you if you like . Just let me know.
Also regarding "glueing CPU to the cooler", all that means is applying thermal paste (many coolders come with it pre-applied) and then fitting the cooler, really is a 3 minute job, max

Nick

deconduo

Yeah, if you want a sample custom build it would be something like this:

Item|Price
Intel Core i5-2400 Box, LGA1155|€165.43
ASRock H61M/U3S3 (B3), Sockel 1155, mATX|€54.10
8GB-Kit G.Skill PC3-10667U CL9|€32.66
Samsung SpinPoint F3 1000GB, SATA II (HD103SJ)|€103.94
BitFenix Shinobi Midi-Tower USB 3.0 black, ohne Netzteil|€54.04
Antec BasiQ VP350|€37.07
LiteOn iHAS122-18 schwarz SATA|€16.65


Throw in the Wireless card + card reader if needed. If you're just using linux you don't have to pay out for a windows license either. I'm based in Dublin as well if you want a hand putting it together.

Torqay

deconduo wrote: »

Yeah, if you want a sample custom build it would be something like this:

Item|Price
Intel Core i5-2400 Box, LGA1155|€165.43
ASRock H61M/U3S3 (B3), Sockel 1155, mATX|€54.10
8GB-Kit G.Skill PC3-10667U CL9|€32.66
Samsung SpinPoint F3 1000GB, SATA II (HD103SJ)|€103.94
BitFenix Shinobi Midi-Tower USB 3.0 black, ohne Netzteil|€54.04
Antec BasiQ VP350|€37.07
LiteOn iHAS122-18 schwarz SATA|€16.65

Throw in the Wireless card + card reader if needed. If you're just using linux you don't have to pay out for a windows license either. I'm based in Dublin as well if you want a hand putting it together.

Dunno if that build is a such an exceptionally great deal. The parts cost €460 (plus delivery?), no i7 (only i5), no graphics card and the 350W PSU doesn't exactly provide for a killer GPU either.

It will do, however, as a "multimedia PC".

Tea_Bag

Torqay wrote: »

Dunno if that build is a such an exceptionally great deal. The parts cost €460 (plus delivery?), no i7 (only i5), no graphics card and the 350W PSU doesn't exactly provide for a killer GPU either.

It will do, however, as a "multimedia PC".

how is that not good value for money?
delivery is €18.
I'd love to see a better build for the same money?

yea, it doesn't have an i7, but yet PC in the op is twice the price:rolleyes:

the OP is also not looking for a gaming or multimedia PC, but a Linux development box.

if you want 'multimedia' PC, get a G620 and a HD6450.

deconduo

Torqay wrote: »

Dunno if that build is a such an exceptionally great deal. The parts cost €460 (plus delivery?), no i7 (only i5), no graphics card and the 350W PSU doesn't exactly provide for a killer GPU either.

It will do, however, as a "multimedia PC".

Well that's the point. No reason to get a €1000+ gaming computer if its only going to be used for multimedia and dev work.

Torqay

Tea_Bag wrote: »

how is that not good value for money?
delivery is €18.
I'd love to see a better build for the same money?

Just haven't got time to shop around like mad, but here's a Core i5 with an entry level GPU and bigger hard drive with warranty and OS (which I know is of no concern here) for 100 euro more. And I'm sure I'll get that beaten if I look around further at online retailers for example in Germany.

What I'm saying is that if you're just looking for some workhorse, the savings from building it yourself just aren't that great compared to some off-the-rails box. If you wan't a decent gaming machine, that's different story altogether.

Torqay

Or here, Core i5 2400, 8GB RAM, decent mid-range GPU for 599

Tea_Bag

Torqay wrote: »

Just haven't got time to shop around like mad, but here's a Core i5 with an entry level GPU and bigger hard drive with warranty and OS (which I know is of no concern here) for 100 euro more. And I'm sure I'll get that beaten if I look around further at online retailers for example in Germany.

What I'm saying is that if you're just looking for some workhorse, the savings from building it yourself just aren't that great compared to some off-the-rails box. If you wan't a decent gaming machine, that's different story altogether.

link?

Torqay wrote: »

Or here, Core i5 2400, 8GB RAM, decent mid-range GPU for 599

ok i know were going well off topic here, but you're completely wrong.
The only time getting a prebuilt system is when you're under €400 and need an OS or a cheapo monitor included.

but lets entertain your thought trail for a minute, even though its got nothing to do with the OP's needs...

nice find on the second link, except for I built the exact same rig, with identical parts in every way, on the same website, with the same delivery charge, (€19) and it cost me €7 more.......and i got a custom cooled HD6870 instead of your crappy 6770, (which is just a rebadged 5770 btw) benchmarks if you're interested.:rolleyes: It'll now actually play any game at very decent fps.

Item|Price
ASUS P8H61 REV 3.0, Sockel 1155, ATX, DDR3|€59.15
8GB-Kit Corsair XMS3 DDR3-1333 CL9|€38.00
be quiet! Pure Power 530 Watt / BQT L7|€54.58
Intel Core i5-2400 Box, LGA1155|€165.43
WD Caviar Blue 500GB SATA 3 6Gb/s|€67.86
LiteOn iHAS122-18 schwarz SATA|€16.65
Xigmatek Midgard, ATX, ohne Netzteil, schwarz|€62.21
XFX RADEON HD 6870 900M 1GB DDR5 DUAL DP HDMI DUAL DVI|€143.34
Shipping|€18.99
Total|€626.21

If your rig included an OS, (which it doesnt by the way) it'd be a different story, but only by €45.45.

did i mention the extra warranty you'd get with building it yourself?
or how about if a single part breaks down you dont have to ship the entire PC back to germany, but can just RMA said part on its own.
Oh and the satisfaction of building it yourself, meaning you're less afraid to take it apart again if you hit any trouble down the road.

aaaand breathe.

Torqay

Tea_Bag wrote: »

did i mention the extra warranty you'd get with building it yourself?
or how about if a single part breaks down you dont have to ship the entire PC back to germany, but can just RMA said part on its own.
Oh and the satisfaction of building it yourself, meaning you're less afraid to take it apart again if you hit any trouble down the road.

All well and good, but not everyone has the time, skill or the nerve to build their own (don 't get me wrong, I'm all for growing your own. If you want to, go for it) and the savings in this price segment are not as significant as you want us to believe. Even from Dell you'll get a Core i5 dekstop with an entry level GPU for 599 incl OS, VAT and delivery (and they're certainly not known for being the cheapest place to buy).

Tea_Bag wrote: »

and i got a custom cooled HD6870 instead of your crappy 6770, (which is just a rebadged 5770 btw)

I wasn't aware that the 5770 features HDMI 1.4a or 3D Bluray support.

Besides, neither card would be my personal choice.

Torqay

Where do I make it out to be hard??? ^^

I just said not everyone has the time, skill or nerve to do it.

Torqay

And as for the prices and savings, you'll need a bit more than just the parts. Tools, thermal compound, anti-static wrist band, etc. It all ads up, maybe not much but you'll have to take it all into consideration if you want to be fair.

Piscium

This became a nice thread, with all the different view points and pros and cons. Thanks to everybody.

After reading all comments, and taking into account my lack of skill in gluing things (you should see the tiles in my kitchen, a number of them sound hollow because of improperly applied adhesive ), I am now more inclined to buy a pre-built PC from HardwareVersand (HV).

One advantage over the Komplett Asus is that HV has models without Windows, which will save me 79 euros (per HV price list). Also it seems a bit cheaper than the Asus, and it seems built from standard parts so easier to upgrade. (As Yoyo remarked, branded PCs have sometimes limited upgrade potential. I am well aware of it. It took me ages to find a bracket to be able to install a second hard drive on my current Dell PC).

The RMA angle as mentioned by Tea_Bag is interesting. Indeed if something goes wrong it will be more expensive to send back to Germany a whole PC than some part. However I would think that if HV builds the PC itself (as opposed to having it built in China), then HV likely boots the PC to see if the major components work, while it wouldn't make sense for HV to test parts it gets from China before shipping them to customers. In other words, I would expect a pre-built PC to have less issues than all its separate parts taken together because of additional testing in Germany, unless something gets broken in transit, which is more likely to happen with a pre-built PC.

uncle_sam_ie

Torqay wrote: »

And as for the prices and savings, you'll need a bit more than just the parts. Tools, thermal compound, anti-static wrist band, etc. It all ads up, maybe not much but you'll have to take it all into consideration if you want to be fair.

What a load of bull. All I used was a Phillips screwdriver. The thermal compound came with the cooler. And, you don't need an anti-static band. Keeping your self earthed is not hard to do.

OP, You can piece together your own PC on the German site and they will build it for you if you don't want to do it yourself.

Piscium

uncle_sam_ie wrote: »

OP, You can piece together your own PC on the German site and they will build it for you if you don't want to do it yourself.

That's interesting, I did not know that. Thanks.

Torqay

uncle_sam_ie wrote: »

What a load of bull.

I tend to provide sound advice and that includes the use of anti-static and anti-magnetic tools for PC assembly. Your Wild-West methods may have been working out for you but talking chances is not my cup of tea.

uncle_sam_ie

Torqay wrote: »

I tend to provide sound advice and that includes the use of anti-static and anti-magnetic tools for PC assembly. Your Wild-West methods may have been working out for you but talking chances is not my cup of tea.

I bet our next advice will be for people to build a clean room and wear a bunny suit. :rolleyes: It is bull. You don't need anti magnetic tools or an anti-static strap to build a PC.

uncle_sam_ie

Piscium wrote: »

That's interesting, I did not know that. Thanks.

NP, but have look at a few video's on how to build. There are many on YouTube, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_56kyib-Ls
It can be very rewarding.

Torqay

uncle_sam_ie wrote: »

I bet our next advice will be for people to build a clean room and wear a bunny suit.

Nothing wrong with a clean working environment, is there? And if properly earthed, you can of course wear your bunny suit.

uncle_sam_ie wrote: »

It is bull. You don't need anti magnetic tools or an anti-static strap to build a PC.

You may think different once you have your first computer parts destroyed with static discharge.

deconduo

Torqay wrote: »

Nothing wrong with a clean working environment, is there? And if properly earthed, you can of course wear your bunny suit.



You may think different once you have your first computer parts destroyed with static discharge.

-Don't build on a carpet.
-Touch your case once before you start to discharge any static.
-Don't drop a magnet onto the motherboard

Done.

uncle_sam_ie

deconduo wrote: »

-Don't build on a carpet.
-Touch your case once before you start to discharge any static.
-Don't drop a magnet onto the motherboard

Done.

How much extra does that cost. Zero

I had an old unused PSU plugged in at the side for my discharging. Probably over kill.

Overheal

Tallon wrote: »

Why the hell does an i7 machine come with a 300w PSU.. What?!

Because it uses, at most, 130 Watts? The rest of the machine trickles power, and the remainder is on the GPU rail. Most single cards will want a 450 Watt PSU for that though. Yes, you can scrape with less, but the difference between a 450 watt and a 600 watt PSU most of the time is $10. Not a big deal.