PSU Requirements for XFX 6600GT AGP 128Mb/256Mb cards

[Pudding]

XFX web info is a little ambiguous. Not getting an answer from Aria Sales via Customer Comments :|
Can anyone tell me the PSU rating required for optimum use of these cards - assuming no overclocking (even if it's possible).
I'm hoping for a reply from someone who actually has one and therefore has a 6600GT specific manual. :)
It would also be useful to know whether they are (relatively) noisy and whether the 2nd DVI output matches the the quality of the first - both these issues have been raised in on-line reviews :)

[mac124]

Something like a Tagan 420/430 would be ample and not too expensive and should give some over head should you want to upgrade or add extra drives etc.

What ever you do DO NOT cut corners where the psu is concerned. Its the one thing that, should you buy a cheap \"get you by\" solution and it dies, it could take out every other component in the pc when it goes.

[Firerat]

XFX Recomend 350W or above on page 25 of the manual

http://www.xfxforce.com/media/manual/4d56cbb003c30b110103c3e044590006/6series_Manual.pdf

\"The GeForce 6800 Ultra requires a stable, 12-volt power source for best performance,
reliability, and enjoyment. For GeForce 6800-based graphics cards, NVIDIA recommends
a power supply with a rating of 350W or higher. To over clock your GeForce 6800 Ultra
for maximum performance, NVIDIA recommends a higher rated power supply.
GeForce 6800 Ultra boards will have two standard disk drive power plugs on the back end
of the card. Both power connectors must be connected for normal use. You may use a
Y-cable or connect two dongles off of the same power cable if plugs are short for normal
use. To overclock, you should attach two independent (not shared or split with a y-cable)
hard disk drive power dongles from the system’s power supply to these plugs.\"

It does only mention the 6800 on this page but the manual does cover the 6200 and 6600.

But yeah , I agree with Mac, no sense in skimping on the PSU

Persoanly I have an old Enermax 350, I think I paid about 60 quid for it back then (2 - 3 years ago), its taken everything I have stuck on it.

PSUs 450 to 499W (http://www.aria.co.uk/ProductsList.asp?Category=96&SubCat=POW-450T499)

if you want to push the boat out 500 to 700W (http://www.aria.co.uk/ProductsList.asp?Category=96&SubCat=POW-500T799)

I'll have to ask around for the noise and the DVI Issues, I don't have one myself ( not a big gamer , I'm a linux nerd )

[Pudding]

Thanks
Mac124 - if I was buying a new PSU then sure, it would be a big one.
Firerat - you've read the same ambiguous on-line user manual that I have - covering 6200, 6600 and 6800 but only giving details for the 6800 which has a different requirement (2 molex connections)
I have an Enermax but it's only 350W - OK for its day but will it be OK for these cards? :?

[Pudding]

Correction - I mean 330W Enermax!

[Firerat]

you could try this calculator


http://www.extreme.outervision.com/psucalculator.jsp


My System came out as needing a 361W PSU

I think its the 5 SATA drives ( raid 5 ) and the P4 Canterwood 2.4 overclocked to 3.3 that pushed it up

as I say , the 350w Enermax handles it fine

[mac124]

If your not using shed loads of drives anda stupidly powerful mobo / cpu then the 330 enermax will probably be ok im guessing the graphics cards manufacturer are erring on the side of caution.

I see no reason as to why the 2nd DVI should be of any less quality than the primary, as to how noisey well it depends on your definition of noisey i guess but they arent particularly loud and you could always invest £10 or so in a quieter cooler.

[apoc]

found this post because after buying an XFX 6600GT 256MB AGP card only to find that it didn't work. I then checked the requirements (on the side of the box) and relised the only thing my PC didn't have was \"a minimum 400W system power supply\" (which wasn't stated on the site where i bought it :evil: )

I only have a 300W PSU and just ordered a new PSU (500W)

If i remember i'll come back and let you know how it goes. :)

I don't know much when it comes to this sort of stuff so i really hope it works :lol:, knowing me i probably bought the wrong type of PSU lol :roll:

[mac124]

Welocom to the forum mate, the only way your psu would be wrong for your pc is if your pc is a dare i say it....DELL...as 99% of their hardware seems to be incompatible with the rest of the worlds hardware.

Keeps us informed as to how it goes. The \"minimum 400w\" seems to be a bit over rated imho but there are 400w psu's and there are 400w psu's all psu's are definately NOT equal, what make psu did you get?

[Favu]

My el-cheapo 400watt PSU (the true rating is likely to be much lower) runs my 6600gt just fine :)

However, I would still reckomend getting a quality PSU if you can afford it

[David]

[quote:53906aa036=\"Favu\"]My el-cheapo 400watt PSU (the true rating is likely to be much lower) runs my 6600gt just fine :)

However, I would still reckomend getting a quality PSU if you can afford it[/quote:53906aa036]

Absolutely. The quality of the PSU is more relevant than it's stated wattage: A cheap 500 watt PSU is likely to be rated at it's peak output and may average a lower output than a quality 400w PSU (for example) which can sustain that 400w in all conditions.