minimax1 Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 i recently purchased an ati hd 6850 graphics card and i saw written on its box about power supply requirements it demands 500W and 40 A. the thing is that my PSU (corsair 500cx) supplies 500W and only 34 A. as i am using it for a week no i see no major problems . all i want to ask is that is as i see it i guess i am not getting the 100% of the cards features? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexxEG Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 I'm guessing no. Cause the whole computer shares that power supply. It's not only the graphics card that needs power. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkWarrior45 Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 i recently purchased an ati hd 6850 graphics card and i saw written on its box about power supply requirements it demands 500W and 40 A. the thing is that my PSU (corsair 500cx) supplies 500W and only 34 A. as i am using it for a week no i see no major problems . all i want to ask is that is as i see it i guess i am not getting the 100% of the cards features? You're stressing your Corsair power supply way too much. If a power supply is a 500 W at 34 amp on the twelve volt rail, then it means that the unit has been rated to continuously and reliably run with a 500W @ 34 A load for as long as the warranty lasts. It can support a higher load than that, but the components inside the power supply will be running hotter and with more electricity than what they are designed to handle; when you go past the max load, you risk the components burning out. A diode rated for 34 amps will destroy itself when presented with a higher amperage. Resisters will literally burn up (you'll smell a staunch burning smell in this case) when presented with a higher amperage. Basically what I am trying to say is: yes it may be running fine for now. But your power supply will not be able to support that load for a long period of time. You will need to plan for an upgraded power supply. I personally recommend a higher rated Corsair or a PC Power & Cooling unit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minimax1 Posted September 23, 2011 Author Share Posted September 23, 2011 i recently purchased an ati hd 6850 graphics card and i saw written on its box about power supply requirements it demands 500W and 40 A. the thing is that my PSU (corsair 500cx) supplies 500W and only 34 A. as i am using it for a week no i see no major problems . all i want to ask is that is as i see it i guess i am not getting the 100% of the cards features? You're stressing your Corsair power supply way too much. If a power supply is a 500 W at 34 amp on the twelve volt rail, then it means that the unit has been rated to continuously and reliably run with a 500W @ 34 A load for as long as the warranty lasts. It can support a higher load than that, but the components inside the power supply will be running hotter and with more electricity than what they are designed to handle; when you go past the max load, you risk the components burning out. A diode rated for 34 amps will destroy itself when presented with a higher amperage. Resisters will literally burn up (you'll smell a staunch burning smell in this case) when presented with a higher amperage. Basically what I am trying to say is: yes it may be running fine for now. But your power supply will not be able to support that load for a long period of time. You will need to plan for an upgraded power supply. I personally recommend a higher rated Corsair or a PC Power & Cooling unit. well, thanks for the advice i think i will get my self a cooling unit and later yet (when my economics get better) a stronger power supply unit... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quetzlsacatanango Posted September 23, 2011 Share Posted September 23, 2011 I would go power supply first and upgrade heatsink later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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