Power

[PeterStoba]

Hi, how much power does a graphics card use? a big one?

I need to know what psu to get, and i am on a budget. I know an 8800 Ultra uses about 120 watts, and my system all together, will use about 405, everything included.

Or i was just buy a small one for now, and then when i get my graphics card a bigger one, 19868 or 19869are my choices now, 480W should do i think, second opinion wanted though

[mac124]

Well on the grounds that an 8800 has dual pcie connectors on it you are going to need a psu that is sli capable, neither of the 2 psu's you chose are, and i would suggest dual 12v rails with 15 amps on each 12v rail absolute minimum. Those psu's you chose seem to only have 15amps on a single 12v rail, if you are seriously thinking of getting an 8800 ultra i would suggest something more substantial, those Xilence psu's are ok but for something as power hungry as an 8800 i would suggest this psu http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Power+Supplies/500w+%2B/OCZ+600W+StealthXStream+PSU+?productId=26933 its a little more, obviously, but it is alot better.

[Micky007]

how can you tell how much power your pc is using?

[Aaron]

Yeah, I'd go for a 600-650watt psu too..

[PeterStoba]

I worked out an estimate on http://www.journeysystems.com/?powercalc or http://www.extreme.outervision.com/psucalculator.jsp

[PeterStoba]

27930 That will be ok 2 12v rails at 20amps? or i may aswell get the OCZ one for the same price on superspecial and get 412v rails?

[mac124]

Given the fact the ocz has 4 rails at 18A along with 5v at 30A and 3.3v at 36A
http://www.ocztechnology.com/products/power_management/ocz_600w_stealthxstream_power_supply
http://www.ocztechnology.com/drivers/600wchart.JPG

And the Xilence has Voltages+3.3V: 30A, +5V: 35A, +12V1: 15A, +12V2: 16A, -12V: 0.8A, +5VSB: 2.5A
Or (depending which ones you read)
+12v120A+12v220A+3.3v25A+5v30A+5vsb3A-12v0.5A

I think the ocz on super special is a bargain.