550W PSU for PC \ Arcade build

djsim101 · 22-12-2014 01:24PM #1

Hi guys, not your normal pc build here, but I just completed building an arcade machine that is using a dual core MB, running XP. (ripped it out of an Lenvo desktop)

I purchased a cheap ass GC (Radeon HD 5470) as the on-board graphics weren't coping that well. Now, I am getting a blank screen once the GC is connected to the PCI slot. My current PSU is 350W and its says on the box of the GC that the recommended one is at east 450W. I reckon the GC isn't getting enough juice.

Can anyone expert here, recommend me a older , reliable 550W ish quite PSU which wont break the bank and has lots of molex power connectors as I have no need for SATA connectors.

Thanks for your help and Merry Christmas to all

Serephucus · 22-12-2014 06:24PM

What brand/model is the PSU? Could just be a horrible quality one, or you might have a dead GPU.

TerrorFirmer · 22-12-2014 06:42PM

I'd say the card is just dead or something else simple. I assume you have the cable connected to the card and not onboard video? Have you tried different connectors, or connecting the machine to a TV? Does the card have a fan, and if so, is it spinning on start up?

A dual core system with a 5470 would guzzle about...180-200w of power. I'd say the power supply is fine if it came from the Lenovo.

djsim101 · 22-12-2014 07:50PM

Sorry lads, the GC is a HD 5450 brand new out of the box, but still could be the fault. No fan, just a heatsink with no extra power requirements.

The PSU brand is wait for it...Sparkle :-) 350W. Although in saying that, it is a 80 plus certified.

It came from a SFF, so I couldn't use the original Lenvo one. I have the PSU running 2 extra fans, LED strip and LED buttons, so maybe they are taking the extra juice.

I will try disconnecting when I get home. How much juice would the above card take up, 100W ish?

Serephucus · 22-12-2014 07:52PM

Literally anything brand-name will power that. A VS350 from Corsair is probably your cheapest bet.

TerrorFirmer · 23-12-2014 09:59AM

djsim101 wrote: »

I will try disconnecting when I get home. How much juice would the above card take up, 100W ish?

Not at all - it uses 20w, so you can see why it's incredibly unlikely to be the PSU, though not actually impossible.

Two fans and LED Strips would also use a negligble amount of power.

A 200w PSU would be enough for that setup.

Do you have another machine you can test the card in?

djsim101 · 23-12-2014 06:26PM

Thanks lads, I will go ahead a test it in another machine before I go ahead and purchase a PSU that I may not need.

Thanks for all your help....

550W PSU for PC \ Arcade build

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