PSU requirements

[mchutch]

What's a good method to determine how much juice you need? Taking overclocking into considerations as well.

[_dangtx_]

antec's calculator is ok...

id start with gpu,then cpu,then add 50-100 watts each depending on the maddness of the overclock.

then check out what your psu is capable of, try not to be at 100% all day long for 24/7 operation and go for it

[mchutch]

Thanks will try that, I don't like crazy overclocks though, just try to find sweet spots. I knew you don't want 100% load either, I'm guessing up to 80% is the number?

[GT7R]

yes. high quality psu's will hold 90% nicely, but obviously the more headroom - the better.

[CptBen]

i also the the antec calculator

[Peetah]

I simply follow the video card's recommended psu requirements then slap a couple more watts on it.

[frontier204]

Look at the reviews for the power supply you're getting. I know before 80+ silver/gold power supplies came around, the best efficiency is gained at a little over 50% of the PSU's rated load.

As for how big the power supply has to be, I look at reviews. Unless you build something VERY special, there's very likely a review in which someone's set up a similar rig to yours. Generally reviewers have a high-end CPU + whatever GPU they happen to be reviewing at the time. I think CPU is the hardest because they don't have rated power. Hard drives and fans are easier as the power requirements are printed straight on the lablel, and you don't need to worry unless you have many of them. There's also some reviewers that measure directly the +12V rail of video cards, e.g. the one in dangtx's signature.

[MARSTG]

I would also go with something with a long warranty, 5 years if possible. Corsair, Antec, Seasonic they all have products with 5 years warranty. not all of them, but they do have products with 5 years of warranty.

[Soultribunal]

The rule of thumb for me, is a guestimate on my Hardware Usage (everyones method for this is a little different), and then Give myself 200-300W headroom above that for expansion.

I like to run my PSU's no greater than 75% of Continuous Load.

ST