PSU ok or no?

[jackson8]

So I just got a new graphic card (9800gtx+ 512MB from SPARKLE) and on the box it is written under minimum system requirements:

-Minimum 450W or greater system power supply (with a minimum 12V current rating of 24A)

Now my power supply is a 550W but at 12V it only provides 22A.

So do I need to get a new power supply or will this one do just fine? I haven't booted the new computer with the graphic card yet for fear that it might damage my new rig, leaning on the side of caution.

Anyone?

Thanks in advance.

P.S.: The card takes two 6-pin power connectors.

 

[mep916]

Try it out. The PSU specs are borderline, but it may work. Don't buy a new power supply until you try it first. What is the model name and number of your current PSU?

 

[fmw]

A current rating doesn't describe how many amps your system draws. It only describes how much it can draw before exhausting what the PS can handle. It is very unlikely that a computer system will draw 22 or 24 amps or half that much or even 1/4 of that much. The house current circuit to which it is plugged in is most likely rated at 15 amps or 20 amps at the outside. You couldn't draw more than 15 amps without blowing a breaker. This is a specification that should take no more of your time.

 

[diduknowthat]

A current rating doesn't describe how many amps your system draws. It only describes how much it can draw before exhausting what the PS can handle. It is very unlikely that a computer system will draw 22 or 24 amps or half that much or even 1/4 of that much. The house current circuit to which it is plugged in is most likely rated at 15 amps or 20 amps at the outside. You couldn't draw more than 15 amps without blowing a breaker. This is a specification that should take no more of your time.

15 amps on 120v and 15 amps on 12v is a completely different amount of power.

 

[fmw]

15 amps on 120v and 15 amps on 12v is a completely different amount of power.

Yes, that's true but he isn't talking about power. He's talking about current. Amperes are a measure of current. You can't draw 22 amps of current at any voltage on normal 110V house wiring.

 

[TFT]

Yes, that's true but he isn't talking about power. He's talking about current. Amperes are a measure of current. You can't draw 22 amps of current at any voltage on normal 110V house wiring.

You've got it mixed up. 110v house wiring into a PSU and 12v out is roughly a ratio of 9:1
If it pulls 22 amps on the 12v side it will pull roughly 2.5 amps on the mains side, add little more for inefficiency and 3 to 4 amps is what it will pull.

On topic some sites are quoting at least 30 amps on the 12v rail for that card !