Budget PSU for Overlock !!! [Assistance]
Budget PSU for Overlock !!! [Assistance]
Hi there. I have a PhenomII x4 955BE and I’m planning to boost my CPU’s performance, so I have some queries about the power supply unit.
1. I know the model uses 125 watts, but I’m wondering if I should increase the voltage when overclocking and what the maximum output could be?
2. My main concern is that I only have an 8-pin CPU but got a dual PSU with four pins, so I set it up accordingly. Everything seems normal now—my PC runs smoothly in this configuration without overclocking. Is it safe to do this?
3. A dual 300-watt PSU means my system can handle up to 600 watts?
4. I’m not sure how voltage changes affect the PSU’s output. If I raise the voltage by 1.4V, does the PSU support that level or is there a limit?
That’s why I asked about question 3—I believe everything will be fine if I overclock at the original voltage.
Thanks for reading, and sorry for my English.
Adding to that, you shouldn't really be able to fit 2x4-pins into that header; a 4+4 or 8-pin cable would be more appropriate. I think the design of each half of the socket and plug is distinct. I was surprised it didn’t fail completely...
In response to some queries:
"1, I understand x4 955 handles 125Watts. Should I increase the voltage when overclocking? And what’s the maximum power it can reach?"
Yes, a CPU that’s overclocked will use more power than one running at standard settings. Generally, power usage rises in line with frequency and is roughly proportional to the square of the voltage—so doubling the GHz doubles the power. The exact limits depend on the voltages used."
Hi guy,
I have a PhenomII x4 955BE and I’m planning to overclock my CPU. I have some questions about the power supply unit.
First, I know the X4 955BE uses 125 watts. Should I increase the PSU capacity when I overclock? And how much can it handle?
Second, my main concern is getting an 8-pin CPU but I only got a 4-pin PSU, so I set up a dual PSU (300 watts). Everything seems okay so far, and my PC runs smoothly in this setup without overclocking. Is it safe to overclock in this case?
Third, does a dual 300-watt PSU mean my PC can supply up to 600 watts?
Fourth, I’m not sure how voltage changes affect the PSU. If I increase the voltage by 1.4V, will the PSU support that level or is there a limit?
That’s why I asked about the third point—I think everything will be fine if I overclock at the stock voltage.
Thanks for reading, and sorry for my English.
Don’t go dual PSU. Two bad PSUs increase the risk of damaging your PC. Just get something like a Seasonic S12 II 520W, which usually costs around 50$.
In addition, it shouldn't be possible to insert 2x4-pins into that header; a 4+4 or 8-pin cable would be more suitable. I think the reason is that each half of the socket and plug has a different keying pattern. I'm a bit surprised this didn't fail completely...
Regarding some of the queries:
"1, I understand that the x4 955 model consumes 125Watts. Should I increase the voltage when overclocking? And what's the maximum power it can reach?"
Yes, a CPU that's overclocked will use more power than one running at standard settings. Generally, power usage rises in line with frequency and is roughly proportional to the square of the voltage (for example, doubling GHz means doubling power consumption). The exact limit depends on the voltages applied and the motherboard's ability to supply current.
"4, I'm not sure how the system behaves when we raise the voltage?"
Setting a higher voltage in the BIOS tells the motherboard to provide that voltage. The VRMs will then deliver it, as long as:
A) the requested voltage fits within the VRM capacity
B) the power supply can handle the current on the 12V rail
(Keep in mind, power equals voltage multiplied by current. If the CPU tries to maintain a lower voltage like 1.4V, and we consider its TDP of 125W, the PSU must deliver about 10.5A just for the motherboard, not 1.4V. So the current rating is around 10.5A.)
If these conditions aren't met, the CPU may throttle, the system will shut down, or the VRMs might fail.)