No, the wattage isn't the sole concern; you should also consider other factors when upgrading your power supply.
No, the wattage isn't the sole concern; you should also consider other factors when upgrading your power supply.
I own a 4th tier power supply (Corsair CX600). I need to stay below 500 watts in case it fails. I'm thinking about getting a GTX 970 because it's low wattage, allowing me to overclock while keeping under 500 watts. Is this acceptable? Are there any other factors I should be aware of that could cause the computer to fail?
Wattage is actually your last thing to worry about; otherwise an 1000W power supply would suffice. The PSU is less powerful than required—not because of lower power, but due to reduced efficiency. A truck engine can generate 800H.P., while a race car engine can reach the same output. Which engine falls short in performance for competitive racing? The quality of power from the CX falls short of what overclocking demands. It lacks the necessary smoothness and stability for successful overclocking. Consider alternatives and review the PSU tiers comments carefully.
Wattage is actually your final worry; otherwise an 1000W power supply would suffice. The PSU offers less performance than required—not less power, not less efficiency. A truck engine can generate 800H.P., while a race car engine can reach the same output. Which engine falls short in performance for competitive racing? The quality of power from the CX is insufficient for overclocking demands—it lacks smoothness and stability. Consider alternatives and review the PSU tiers carefully.
DonkeyOatie suggests that power consumption is actually a bigger issue than you think; otherwise, a 1000W CRUD would suffice. The PSU isn't as powerful as required, but it's not necessarily less efficient or lower in power. Comparing performance levels between truck engines and race cars shows which one falls short for competitive racing. The quality of the power from the CX doesn't meet overclocking expectations—it's too rough and unstable. Consider alternatives and review the PSU tiers carefully.