PSU Issue (Do I need to upgrade to support my new GPU?)

The Wololo Wombat on 06/11/2018 - 23:09

Hi,

So I bought this computer that had a 1050ti installed that didn't need a PSU connection! The 1050ti ran straight from the PCI-E on the motherboard!

I then upgraded to an RX580 without much thought about PSU requirements - this GPU did need to use the PSU (one 6+2 pin connector free). It's been running well for months.

Today, I upgraded to a Vega56. It requires 2x8 pin power connectors which I don't have coming out of the PSU. Was planning on buying a splitter cable tomorrow so I could run it, but thought I'd check the PSU out first to make sure it could handle it….

Turns out it's a 280W PSU (LITEON Ps-5281-02) - this is tiny right?

I have three questions, perhaps someone in IT can help me

1: Was this PSU large enough to run my Rx580 + PC well (perhaps it was not running at full capacity due to the low wattage?)
2: Is 280W enough to run a vega 56? Can I buy a splitter cable and run the GPU from this PSU?
3: If not, what PSU should I buy? I have no idea!

Thanks!

Computing

Comments

  • AdosHouse on 06/11/2018 - 23:40

    1. Well a RX580 can use up to ~230w when gaming, so I have no idea how a 280w PSU could power it, but I guess it did.

    2. No, buy a better PSU with the 2x8 pin connectors already.

    3. Whats your budget?

    • The Wololo Wombat on 06/11/2018 - 23:54

      Thanks for your reply! My budget is CHEAP. $65 is ideal but could be tempted to go up to $100.

      Doing research, I think I need a 600W min

      Found a guy selling 700 Watt Cougar VTX for $40 - thoughts?

      I have no idea about PSU. Prelim research suggests Corsair is good, but top end.

      • AdosHouse on 07/11/2018 - 00:01

        It is $40 for a reason, it is cheap.

        Corsair are a decent brand, but their stuff goes from meh, to very good quality, it depends what you pay.

        If you aren't looking at more than $100, maybe something like this, https://www.umart.com.au/EVGA-700W-700B-80+-Bronze-Power-Sup… , it has 2 x 8pin connectors.

        Personally this is where I would START, https://www.umart.com.au/eVGA-120-G1-0650-XR-SuperNova-650W-… , there is a reason they give a 10 year warranty with these. Very good quality.

        • The Wololo Wombat on 07/11/2018 - 00:03

          Thanks very much for your help! Can you help me understand why it's not as good? Why is it worth paying twice as much for EVGA?

          • AdosHouse on 07/11/2018 - 00:12
            +1

            @The Wololo Wombat: Okay done some reading on a Cougar VTX 700w, https://www.hardwaresecrets.com/cougar-cmx-700-w-power-suppl… , its not that bad of a PSU. Some voltage problems under higher loads. But overall not bad.

            The reason I recommend paying more for a quality PSU is simple, it has an amazing ability to kill the rest of the computer if shit goes south. You have bought a $600 GPU to go in your rig, and a quality PSU is an important component to ensure that GPU lives a happy and long life.

            For my personal rig I run a EVGA G3 700w PSU, but that costs $160, becauee I know it will last a long time, and give me dependable and reliable performance.

          • airzone on 07/11/2018 - 00:27
            +1

            @The Wololo Wombat: Depends on how often you want to replace blown up power supplies. Cheaper units run the components closer to their relative maximum values for cost reasons (lower grade mosfets/caps/etc are cheaper). You might get lucky, you might not.

            If you get a good PSU, your chances of having it survive the life of your PC (and the next) are significantly higher.

          • N1NJ4W4RR10R on 10/11/2018 - 18:58

            @The Wololo Wombat: TL;DR, EVGA psu's are stupid good, with better warranty. Bad PSUs will go down fighting and try to take what they can with em.

  • scrimshaw on 07/11/2018 - 00:15
    +1

    I would definitely target the $100 price point if you're buying a PSU. Good power supplies last through multiple builds — I have used the same Antec Truepower that I bought almost 8 years ago which is still ticking in a mid end system.

    If you look at some of the pricier models made by EVGA, Antec, Seasonic, Corsair etc. you'll notice they have fairly long warranty periods of 5, sometimes 10 years for enthusiast models.

    There is a diminishing return though and in your case your system isn't so power hungry that it needs a 700 watt or kilowatt PSU. Even my Vega 64 + 6 Core Ryzen 5 system only pulls roughly 390~400 watts from the wall during peak load, meaning that a more middling 550w model should be sufficient.

    It's always good to have more than what you require though because PSU's have a power efficiency curve — most of them peform their best past the 50% load.

  • Garbotoxin on 07/11/2018 - 01:09
    +1

    Never ever skimp out on a PSU when you value the parts for your PC, I've had a cheap $40 PSU blow up before, luckily nothing else broke.

    Splitter cables for PSUs are a big no-no, as it doesn't change the amount of maximum power that the cable coming out of your PSU can draw, which can lead to damage to the parts you're trying to power.

    Vega 56 has a TDP of 210W, then you need to factor in the amount of power it takes for your CPU, Motherboard, Hard Drives, etc (you get the picture), so 280W PSU isn't really sufficient.

    Without knowing if you have other add-ons to your rig (or if you overclock), I'd recommend something at least 550W - even if you don't need that much power, you would at least have some more headroom if you want to upgrade again.

    As other posters have said before, EVGA, Seasonic and Corsair are pretty reliable brands. I've personally used Cougar before (not the same model listed in your post) - they're OK but they're definitely not a premium brand and I have experienced coil whine from the PSU when my rig is at maximum load. I've personally ditched my Cougar PSU (still works just great, just the coil whine is annoying) for a Corsair RM850x

  • Richardc on 07/11/2018 - 02:13

    Do not cut corner on PSU, others just kill it self, but bad PSU usually kill others aswell. Get something with 10yrs warranty.

  • garetz on 07/11/2018 - 02:35
    +1

    For your budget i would get a corsair vs550 or 650.

  • The Wololo Wombat on 07/11/2018 - 13:10

    Thanks to everyone for your replies!

    I found a guy selling a corsair vs650 online and decided to go with that! Really appreciate all your help! I couldn't have done it without you!

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