What kind of card could I run with a Antec VP450W power supply?

xenphor · *Last edited by xenphor; 07-31-2012 at 09:00.*

My power supply http://store.antec.com/Product/power...5-23540-2.aspx

Well I had a 550 ti and got some good performance out of it but read that the 6850 was a bit better and got that instead. Unfortunately, my greatest fears (http://forums.guru3d.com/showthread....91#post4375591) about AMD's drivers were realized and I honestly didn't really see any performance increase going from a 550 ti to a 6850 . Now I'm looking at going back to Nvidia again but don't know where to go up from a 550 ti.

From looking at benchmarks, a gtx 460 would be a bit of an improvement but that's what the benchmarks said about the 6850 also. Paying about the same for an older card with not much performance boost doesn't seem that wise. I use Vsync and Triple Buffering in all my games so non-vsync'd numbers mean nothing to me. It's all about consistent image rendering. Ideally I would like to maintain either a solid 30 or 60 fps at 60hz refresh rate.

Would a 560 ti be good? I know the 660 is coming out but I don't know if my power supply would be able to handle it, plus if it's around 280 that's quite a bit more than a 550 ti. Is there something more around 180-220 or so that my power supply could handle?

edit: 6850 sorry

Noisiv · **Memory**: 4GB OCZ 5-4-4-4-12

You play older games + Doom 3 Sikkmod and you went AMD

Get yourself 560 Ti if you absolutely need it now.
In Sikkmod you'll be able to max everything except soft shadows and AO.

But that's a poor proposition if you're gonna lose money on 6870,
as overall 560 and 6870 are similar in performance.

Getting GTX 660 in a few days would be a better solution IMHO.

Click to show spoiler

Pill Monster · 07-31-2012, 08:41 | posts: 20,448 | Location: NZ

Yeah you could run a 560Ti with that PSU. Any card with a TDP of about 200W should be OK.

xenphor · 07-31-2012, 08:46 | posts: 37

Well I was just gunna return the 6850. (Frys)

560 ti and 6850 are similar in performance? I was definitely not impressed with the 6850 as I said so I don't know now. I still don't know if my power supply would be able to handle a 560 or even a 660? At Anandtech http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2255326 they said that I would not be able to handle a 560 so I don't even know if I could run a 660. Choice quotes:

"Well op it seems that ur psu has dual 12v*18A rails.I wouldn't recommend running a 560ti on a 18A rated rail."

"The 460 uses more power which is why the 7770 was recommended. I wouldn't use a 560ti with that PSU. I'm pretty conservative minded though with PSU's. The fact that the PSU doesn't have the needed connectors would be a red light for me. "

How close is the 660 exactly? Is the cheapest estimate really about 280? Will there be lower end models?

edit: Wow oops I don't know why I said 6870. It's a 6850 I have now, sorry. Although looking at benchmarks (lol) the 6870 doesn't seem much better than a 6850.

Noisiv · **Memory**: 4GB OCZ 5-4-4-4-12

Approx:

GTX 460 ~ HD6850
GTX 560 ~ HD6870
GTX 560 Ti ~ HD6950

We don't know for sure what performance 660 (Ti) will have,
but it will likely compete with 7870/7950, so draw your estimates from there

Your PSU maxes with 29A @ +12V so it should be able to accommodate 560 Ti.
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/artic...-Review/1487/5

xenphor · 07-31-2012, 09:42 | posts: 37

What about from these? http://www.frys.com/search?search_ty...mit.y=12&cat=0

There's a few around the 200 dollar range. I'm assuming a 660 wouldn't go that low?

One thing that I would like about a 560 ti is that I'm assuming the driver situation is stabilized? Reading about those 680 vsync issues is very scary. What if the 660 inherits those?

Pill Monster · 07-31-2012, 09:42 | posts: 20,448 | Location: NZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by xenphor

Well I was just gunna return the 6870. (Frys)

560 ti and 6870 are similar in performance? I was definitely not impressed with the 6870 as I said so I don't know now. I still don't know if my power supply would be able to handle a 560 or even a 660? At Anandtech http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2255326 they said that I would not be able to handle a 560 so I don't even know if I could run a 660. Choice quotes:

"Well op it seems that ur psu has dual 12v*18A rails.I wouldn't recommend running a 560ti on a 18A rated rail."

"The 460 uses more power which is why the 7770 was recommended. I wouldn't use a 560ti with that PSU. I'm pretty conservative minded though with PSU's. The fact that the PSU doesn't have the needed connectors would be a red light for me. "

How close is the 660 exactly? Is the cheapest estimate really about 280? Will there be lower end models?

You were ill informed by one person over at AnandTech that dual 18A rails couldn't run a 560Ti. The same guy also claimed a 150W GTX 460 could draw 225W - which is also rubbish.

Here's a few more choice quotes from that thread:

Quote:

The 560 ti does NOT require 30 amps to run. Get it through your fog....the recommended amperage by the manufacturers is for a COMPLETE SYSTEM, not just the card.

Quote:

that psu is not all that great but should have no problems powering a gtx560 ti G850 setup.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xenphor
But what about the GTX 460 or 550 ti? The GTX 460 requires two pcie but needs 24 amps.

Quote:

No it doesn't[/QUOTE

Quote:

Quote:
Originally Posted by Xenphor
The 550 ti only needs one pcie but also requires 24 amps.

Quote:

No it doesn't

.

So they basically said the same thing people here are gonna tell you.....

I checked out your PSU - the 12v OCP kicked in @22A(*2=464W) which is much higher than the 16A needed to run a 560Ti.

xenphor · 07-31-2012, 09:53 | posts: 37

The problem was nobody addressed my question about using Molex-PCIe adapters on split 12V rails. How do you even know which adapters are on the rail or not? There was a problem with PSUs that use split rails that I just read about. That was one of my main questions but either people said it would work flat out or not without saying why.

Pill Monster · 07-31-2012, 09:59 | posts: 20,448 | Location: NZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by xenphor

The problem was nobody addressed my question about using Molex adapters on split 12V rails. There seems to be a problem with PSUs that use split rails that I just read about. That was one of my main questions but either people said it would work flat out or not without saying why.

It's not really recommended but if an adapter is used get 2 molex___>pci-e plugs and connect one adapter to each rail.
This way the power draw will be spread out and won't overdraw the 12v.

xenphor · 07-31-2012, 10:04 | posts: 37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pill Monster

It's not really recommended but if an adapter is used get 2 molex___>pci-e plugs and connect one adapter to each rail.
This way the power draw will be spread out and won't overdraw the 12v.

Well I only have one 6 pin pcie adapter so I will have to use molex. So you're saying I shouldn't use the 6 pin at all and use 4 molex adapters instead? How do I know which ones are on which rail? I might use up all my molex

XBEAST · 07-31-2012, 11:52 | posts: 1,438 | Location: Unknown

Quote:

Originally Posted by xenphor

Would a 560 ti be good? I know the 660 is coming out but I don't know if my power supply would be able to handle it, plus if it's around 280 that's quite a bit more than a 550 ti. Is there something more around 180-220 or so that my power supply could handle?

660 will be a lot more efficient than 560 Ti. Your PSU will run it easily even with OC. I would keep 6850 for now and wait for 660 to be released. Then sell 6850 and get 660.

xenphor · 07-31-2012, 22:50 | posts: 37

okay maybe the 660 is the way to go but I still don't know how I should power it? Do I use 4 molex cables? How do I know if they are off the 12v rail? I don't even think I have much of a choice because I think I only have about 5 molex cables total.

---TK--- · 08-01-2012, 00:32 | posts: 14,685 | Location: New Jersey, USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by XBEAST

660 will be a lot more efficient than 560 Ti. Your PSU will run it easily even with OC. I would keep 6850 for now and wait for 660 to be released. Then sell 6850 and get 660.

this. wait for the 660. the 500 series uses more power

xenphor · 08-01-2012, 00:40 | posts: 37

yes but the 660 will be in the upper 200's. I don't understand this talk about power all the sudden. It was just mentioned that my power supply could easily handle a 560ti? Same thing happened at Anandtech -- people said my power supply could handle it but then everyone said to get a 660 because it uses less power.

All I'm looking for is an Nvidia card that is mildly better than the 550 ti so I can at least get 30fps in games like Crysis 2 instead of like 20-25 fps. I'm not overclocking at all that's for sure. My setup is CPU, Videocard, and 2 WD Blue hard drives. It seems to me that at 200 dollars a 560ti would be decent, especially if a 660 is going to be around 280-300 which seems to me the most likely price point. I'm also really worried about the vsync issues appearing with the 600 series cards and any other possible driver issues that could arise. If the 560ti has stable drivers than that's a big plus for me.

airbud7 · 08-01-2012, 02:32 | posts: 2,006 | Location: Evans Ga,USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by xenphor

I don't understand this talk about power all the sudden. It was just mentioned that my power supply could easily handle a 560ti? Same thing happened at Anandtech -- people said my power supply could handle it but then everyone said to get a 660 because it uses less power.
.

GTX 560 Ti Minimum System Power Requirement...=500 W

GTX 560 Ti 448 Cores =550 W

Here...>http://www.geforce.com/hardware/desk...specifications

xenphor · 08-01-2012, 03:11 | posts: 37

Quote:

Originally Posted by airbud7

GTX 560 Ti Minimum System Power Requirement...=500 W

GTX 560 Ti 448 Cores =550 W

Here...>http://www.geforce.com/hardware/desk...specifications

ok, what about what I was told here?

"I checked out your PSU - the 12v OCP kicked in @22A(*2=464W) which is much higher than the 16A needed to run a 560Ti."

draegunstrife · 08-01-2012, 03:50 | posts: 46

I think you should be fine. The recommendation nvidia is Nvidia just being cautious.

I have this one

As long as you're not mega ultra overclocking, you'll do fine with one like this.

I'd sell you mine for under $200 =P

xenphor · 08-01-2012, 04:37 | posts: 37

Okay well what about the Molex adapter issue? Should I use the 6 pin adapter at all?

Han2K · 08-01-2012, 12:42 | posts: 20 | Location: Spain

550 & 560 ti just got EOL. wait for the cut price with the launch of 660 and get a 560ti.

XBEAST · 08-01-2012, 13:40 | posts: 1,438 | Location: Unknown

Quote:

Originally Posted by xenphor

Okay well what about the Molex adapter issue? Should I use the 6 pin adapter at all?

GTX 660 will most likely need only a single 6-pin PEG connector.

xenphor · 08-03-2012, 02:49 | posts: 37

Hm I don't suppose I would be able to power a GTX 670? I'm getting a little antsy waiting for the 660...

Looking at this comparison on Anandtech http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/598?vs=547 it seems to have similar or lower power requirements than a 560 ti. I dunno.

airbud7 · 08-03-2012, 04:00 | posts: 2,006 | Location: Evans Ga,USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by xenphor

Hm I don't suppose I would be able to power a GTX 670? I'm getting a little antsy waiting for the 660...

Looking at this comparison on Anandtech http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/598?vs=547 it seems to have similar or lower power requirements than a 560 ti. I dunno.

If you can get a 670, Go for it!!! Same power Requirement...500W...

xenphor · 08-03-2012, 06:41 | posts: 37

Well I ended up getting a evga 670 as well as a 650 watt power supply. I got this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371044

I didn't really want that one however; I wanted the BP 550 plus model but they didn't have it. I just got another Antec even though I don't think a green model is that good and I don't need 650 watts.

Now I'm gunna reinstall Windows and hope that it doesn't blow up.

or have vsync stutter.... dear god please.

edit: Well reinstalling windows for the 3rd time. Apparently one of my hard drives failed, what a coincidence. I did move it to the bottom to make sure I had room for the card but that's all I did. Can't believe that would do anything. I was getting all kinds of CRC errors when trying to simply re-image the drive and then Windows failed to install on it. I knew something would go wrong.

xenphor · 08-05-2012, 02:29 | posts: 37

I got it up and running; seems pretty good so far. Much happier with Crysis 2 and Nexuiz performance. Metro 2033 is still problematic though which is concerning. I turned off DOF and have everything else on Very High. For the most part it runs well (have to force vsync because there is none) but in some spots, such as the opening shooting range where you first get your weapons, still chugs. Another part that chugs is in the opening with that kid and his dad. I don't know why some scenes seem to consistently lose frames while others are fine. I thought only running at 1280x1024 would be fine on a 2gb card.

I guess we are past the days were one could purchase a Voodoo2 for around 200 bucks and get 60fps easily in all games. 400 bucks for still sub 60fps is somewhat ridiculous.

HamsterCrispy · *Last edited by HamsterCrispy; 08-05-2012 at 02:44.*

Quote:

Originally Posted by xenphor

I got it up and running; seems pretty good so far. Much happier with Crysis 2 and Nexuiz performance. Metro 2033 is still problematic though which is concerning. I turned off DOF and have everything else on Very High. For the most part it runs well (have to force vsync because there is none) but in some spots, such as the opening shooting range where you first get your weapons, still chugs. Another part that chugs is in the opening with that kid and his dad. I don't know why some scenes seem to consistently lose frames while others are fine. I thought only running at 1280x1024 would be fine on a 2gb card.

I guess we are past the days were one could purchase a Voodoo2 for around 200 bucks and get 60fps easily in all games. 400 bucks for still sub 60fps is somewhat ridiculous.

Nice to hear that it all worked well.

I would't be worried about Metro 2033 not running too well. The game is well known to run bad even with high end systems. Don't worry, its not your system, its the game. You should only be worried if all your games run bad.

The game was released back in 2010 and even then high end systems still had problems with dipping fps. Much like Crysis 1.

I mean, 4A Games and 4A Engine? The only game they made was the Metro 2033 series. pfff

Trust me, Metro 2033 is not a good game to base your PC's performance.