Can I use a power supply that isn't 80+ for my PC?
Can I use a power supply that isn't 80+ for my PC?
i've been working on this upgrade plan for November 2023.
the i5-4690 should work better than the i3-10100F/i5-10400F.
i'm installing two 8gb ddr3 drives at 1600mhz, and two 8gb ddr4 drives at higher speeds.
the gpu will be an H81 with 80gb of memory.
i'll get a new cooler, and since i already have a solid ssd and hdd, i think upgrading the power supply isn't necessary.
after doing some calculations, i realize my budget won't cover a new power supply.
i'm planning to wait about two-thirds of a month to find a better one, as i'm still a high school student and my small job doesn't provide much income.
can i use the current power supply for three months with these upgraded specs without risking damage?
my psu is the Power Station PS2-450NF2.
it's helpful to have a sense of what upgrades you might consider, but it's really early to decide on such a purchase.
the sooner you approach the actual buying process, the better time it is to assess what you can obtain and the associated costs. you might discover that by then, you could find a more suitable option for the same budget, or that prices for older models have increased over time.
you simply can't predict everything. however, i'd recommend including a solid power supply unit before starting the build. those low-quality, unbranded units are just a chance to encounter problems later. it might function temporarily and last a while, but the risk is too high given the possibility of major issues inside your pc case!
what are your expectations for the pc? office software, browsing, and video streaming would suffice. for modern aa gaming, you'd face playability issues. you're asking the right questions, but if you're not ready to buy until november, you shouldn't make any firm decisions yet—until then, you'll need to understand the costs at that time. prices fluctuate constantly, and it's uncertain what you'll be able to get later. keep saving, and as november approaches, check prices and availability to secure the best value for your money.
I enjoy playing single-player titles such as RDR2, GTA5, and RE7. Occasionally I play Ready or Not and Roblox with friends, everything works smoothly. My main focus is developing games in Unity and Unreal. My PC functions well, but I think a new graphics card would help. Perhaps saving money now will allow me to upgrade later—maybe in 2024 we’ll find good, affordable options that fit my setup. And if my gaming success brings in income to improve my PC, it will make a big difference haha.
I don't see the point in upgrading to sixth-gen. The incremental gains from the Sandy Bridge/Ivy Bridge era until AMD became a serious competitor again with Ryzen are very small.
If you're on a budget, just keep the CPU you have now and upgrade to the 1650 and a good budget power supply. And *exact* power supply is important; 80 Plus is just an efficiency rating. There's some relationship between quality and efficiency -- for example, there are no good PSUs being sold today that aren't at least 80 Plus Bronze -- but the exact PSU is important. There are a lot of Bronze-rated PSUs that are nearly as horrifying as your current PSU.
I think I should prioritize getting more money first, then consider upgrading or buying a new PC that I really want. Also, don't worry about the 80+ bronze—my intention was to get an EVGA 450W power supply, so that's fine. Appreciate the advice!
consider that a better GPU requires more power supplies. 450w isn't much once you move beyond cards of the 1650 series. You might have to aim for around 650w if you're targeting a mid-range GPU. This is just something to keep in mind while evaluating options for future GPU needs. We're skilled at selecting components, so as you get closer, we can focus on the parts you need and provide quick PSU suggestions.