520 Powerstream and my rig

[Rattle]

I have loved this PSU since the day I got it and when I seen the reviews and power consumption of the 8800gtx on a SYSTEM LEVEL I was pretty certain it could handle it.

With my current computer in sig I am becoming almost doubtful. It use to run fairly cool, now its the hottest thing in my case since running with this overclock and 8800gtx. I mean I can put my hand on the case on the outside of the case where it is and I can feel it and its bellowing hot air out the back bigtime.

Any thoughts? Should I worry? 12v rail is pretty solid at 12.25 at load checking with DMM but I think the 520 powerstream is working damn hard to keep it there and I dont wanna blow it or anything in my box.

AM i being paranoid, should I think about getting something beefier maybe?

Thanks for your thoughts and suggestions in advance.

 

[Alexhk]

Well since your rails are okay and you aren't experiencing any problems under load I'd say your Powerstream is doing fine. What I would consider, is there any way to improve airflow in your current case? Adding another fan or possibly a slot blower could help.

 

[Rattle]

I have good ventilation in it, counting the tuniq tower fan I have 4 120's

1 in the back for exhaust and I ahve 1 in the fron for intake and I have placed one inside the case blowing thru under the 8800gtx.

I get good temps all around...

according to the extreme PSU calculator at 100% I am using 560 watts at 75% 420 watts.

I dunno what that means in the real world, how maxed out is it when i am gaming ?

My other consideration would be what is a worthy upgrade, i'm thinking 850watt silverstone ....

I can see a considerable difference in the PSU's temperature and the exhaust temp right after gaming compared to idle, I never noticed it before.

 

[darkcow]

i think the power stream is holding up nicely. im going to put a 8800gtx into a 520 watt modstream. (or w/e that thing is called) and i have no worries about it.

but if you want to. the extra boost is going to help. the reason why its hot is because the powerstream isn't 100% efficient. and at higher loads, usualy the efficiency drops a little, i believe at middle high load its usually at its best. isn't it a quiet PSU? if you want it less hot you can always put a beefier fan into it. but then it would be a lot louder.

 

[Rattle]

i'd be careful with it if its the modstream, altho a nice psu in its own right, its less powerful than the 520 powerstream and will get even hotter i suspect.

 

[darkcow]

im not worried. it should handle it. its the rig in my sig under Friends. and it has a decent overclock on it. but its not on the high end of the overclock.

 

[Rattle]

well if I am correct my cpu is taking at least 110 watts, my 8800gtx is taking at least 200 correct ?

doesnt that come out to like 30 amps

people that know set me straight please LOL

this psu is 33amp on the 12v rail I think I am maxing it out.

 

[darkcow]

8800gtx is more like 175 watts man.

that 520 watt is handling it fine. I'm telling you. the recommended is 400 somthing.

and 33 amps is plenty. its not enough for SLI, but for one its fine.

 

[Rattle]

175-200 watts the diff only comes out to a couple amps less unless I am wrong... I just dont wanna be pinning this PSU out and lose hardware.

 

[darkcow]

lets just wait for a PSU guru to come out and say something.

but I'm pretty sure it can handle it, if i was in your case, i simply wouldn't have the money to replace my PSU. especially one that works fine.

i just put your specs into the PSU calculator. are you sure you did it all correctly, because i came up with 460 odd watts. and thats an exageration. your computer is probably using only 430 440.

 

[Rattle]

yeah watts

amps no

nvidias spec is usless when machine to machine varies as far as power consumption.

I am waiting for the PSU gurus lol

 

[Oklahoma Wolf]

If it's an early green fan model, I think I'd upgrade. Otherwise, it should have no trouble powering one GTX.

 

[Rattle]

its a blue fan, i specifically asked for a blue fan model from them when I got it thru rma. Even though I have no idea what the difference is lol, i am more worried about total system power more than the gtx...

you dont think the increase heat from it is a worry ?
I never noticed it before.

What is the difference between these 2 ?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817256009
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817256006

are they as high quality as the 560 is ?

 

[Oklahoma Wolf]

First one's Enhance made, second one's an Etasis server grade unit. It's the second one that's as high quality as the 560

 

[Rattle]

sweet so whats the diff between the 2 520 powerstreams?

 

[Oklahoma Wolf]

The older one had some regulation problems.