Is there anything else you need regarding this power supply?
Is there anything else you need regarding this power supply?
Hi!
I intend to upgrade my setup with a new motherboard, CPU, and RAM. Unfortunately, I overlooked the PSU, and I’m uncertain whether it fits within my budget.
My current PSU:
Corsair RM650x 80 Plus Gold
Planned components:
Motherboard: MSI B850 Gaming Plus Wifi
CPU: Ryzen 7 7800X3D (standard PBO OC)
GPU: 3070 Ti (no overclocking, slightly undervolted)
RAM: 32GB 6000
Keyboard, mouse, 5 fans, and CPU cooler Arctic Freezer 7x
Will it work with a 650W PSU?
Also, I plan to test it regardless, so my next concern is whether using a lower wattage PSU could harm the components.
Thanks in advance!
My PSU model is RM650x 80 plus Corsair Gold. How long has it been in use and what loads did it handle during that time? The RTX 3000 series was often criticized for sudden power demands; users were recommended to add extra capacity beyond the PSU's rating, especially if you didn’t upgrade the power supply. In your case, even a brand new PSU wouldn’t meet the GPU’s needs when facing those spikes. I’m planning to test it with this unit anyway, so my next concern is whether it could harm components from insufficient wattage. If you can afford a better GPU, go for it. I suggest matching your build with an 850W reliable PSU. In short, you might notice issues like artifacts or shutdowns, and in severe cases, more problems.
My build remains consistent with the same GPU (3070ti), 32GB 3600, Ryzen 5 5600. I haven’t experienced many issues—sometimes strange things happen to games, like artifacts, but I always thought it was a bug or a game problem since I couldn’t see them on other monitors or desktops. Performance has been good most of the time. The PSU is about two and a half years old.
The most affordable option is the Montech Century II 850W PSU, model A-. PC specifications can be found here: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/sq...ul...ry-ii-850w. It’s worth trying to get it for around $80 or more; otherwise, wait until you need it. A 650W unit won’t suffice for gaming with an RTX 3070 Ti.
Your PSU is a vital component in your PC setup, avoid settling for low-quality options. You can determine the power needs of your parts. Ensure you have sufficient extra power available to handle sudden spikes, especially with the latest and new Gen GPUs. Nvidia GPUs are known to face this challenge. This is just a tip from an experienced PC builder and gamer.
you should be fine (especially if you undervolted the card as you claim)
this PSU is relatively new and a good quality as well
the entire system should not be consuming more than 400w of power while gaming ,
with occasional spikes going maybe close to 600w (but those are only miliseconds we are talking about)
worst case scenario the spikes will trigger OCP,OVP within your power supply
and the system will shut down . (chances of it damaging anything in the process are pretty slim)
that being said - it would be better if you had 850w power supply in the long run .
A sudden shutdown can lead to file corruption. At the very least, any unsaved work is lost. In the worst case, the entire operating system might become unusable, forcing a complete reinstall of the OS drive along with drivers and other applications. Therefore, using an underpowered power supply is not a safe option.
classic overreactions, you’re acting like a drama queen here (and you realize it).
I’ve been assembling and repairing PCs for 15 years, especially focusing on power supplies.
I never had a PC completely fail because of an issue that required a full OS and driver reinstall due to OCP/OVP triggers—never lost any data from a faulty PSU.
Even then, the only files at risk would be those on the main system drive (if I format it during a clean install, I can just replace the drive and keep all my data safe).
The likelihood of a modern high-quality PSU completely wiping out everything is minimal.
It’s not about cheap C-D tier units either; 600-650 quality models can handle cards like the RTX 3070(Ti) without problems.
I’ve tested many setups and never had issues.
If the person needs a full new system or has a lower-end unit at home, I’d definitely recommend getting a brand-new one (preferably an A-tier 850W).
But since they already have a solid, relatively recent PSU, there’s no real need to spend another 100 dollars.
So yes, I’m confident this will work well.
(That said, I still mention it would be better to install an 850W unit in the long run—something you might have missed.)
I’m actually building PCs for others and fixing them when problems arise, which costs me time and my reputation. That’s why I always aim to set things up correctly.
(Luckily, I rarely hear from these customers in years—usually they reach out only if they need an upgrade or want to start fresh.)
Just a note, you might want to think about an 850 Watt PSU as a baseline to cover extra power needs for optimal performance. A good idea. Some top-tier PCs even need around 1200 Watts for smooth operation. I’ve been building and gaming PCs since 1995. Cheers! I hope you succeed with your setup. Make sure your choices fit your budget, of course. The team here understands modern tech, so we value their experience and insight.