PDA

View Full Version : High Ampage requirements for average graphics cards



abscifi
09-29-2008, 11:54 PM
So after doing the standard research on a 9800 GT Akimbo graphics card, I stumbled upon a system requirement that confused me a little. It required a 12volt rail(no problem) with a 24 Amp output(problem). After a little looking I find that power supplies with that sort of amp output start at the 300 dollar range...so at first I thought it might just be the card that is fairly new so I started just for kicks I looked at the amp requirements for the 8800 GT and noticed that it had 28 amp requirements. So I know that not everyone is buying high end power supplies like that to run this card. I guess my question is: is this standard and most cards are underpowered? or do I need to suck it up and pay the money for a very high end power supply (not preferable). I though what I had was already fairly good. Here is what I had picked out.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371011

here is the card also if you are interested.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4035115&csid=ITD&body=MAIN#detailspecs

Any comments would be appreciated. I don't really have a clear cut question I guess just was wondering if anyone else had noticed this problem.

RickyTick
09-30-2008, 09:23 AM
I'm not a "Techie" guy so I could wrong here. If so, someone (WM) will correct me. :D

I think the required 24 amps is a cumulative number. Your psu listed has 3) 12v lines at 19 amps each. So that's 57 amps total.

I'll do a little googling later and see if that's accurate info.

The Wise Monkey
09-30-2008, 04:00 PM
Very useful reading about power:

http://archive.atomicmpc.com.au/forums.asp?s=2&c=7&t=9354

To be honest, I'm not entirely sure about the amps myself...

You could always go with something like this instead:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

At $110, that is an absolute bargain, and it has a 60A 12V rail, so no problems there.

abscifi
09-30-2008, 11:16 PM
Thanks for all you input guys I really appreciate it! I think this issue has a lot of gray area. That article was really helpful.