Cheap Graphics Card Capable Of Running Trainz 12

[cascaderailroad]

Why does (for example) a video card spec says that it needs a 650 watt PS ... When it doesn't pull 1/10 of that under load ? I don't understand.

And can any 300 watt descktop PC, have its PS replaced with a 800-900 watt PS without damaging the factory motherboard ?

 

[lewisner]

If you have a new rig all you need to do is find a Power Calculator such as this http://www.msi.com/service/power-supply-calculator/ then input all the gear you have in your PC and find the resulting power requirement (minimum). I would say as a rule of thumb its a good idea to allow 50-100 watts above the minimum.

 

[clam1952]

Why does (for example) a video card spec says that it needs a 650 watt PS ... When it doesn't pull 1/10 of that under load ? I don't understand.

And can any 300 watt descktop PC, have its PS replaced with a 800-900 watt PS without damaging the factory motherboard ?

The quoted power recommendation for a GPU is for the whole system plus graphics card not just the video card. Higher rated PSU's are not going to damage anything, any item only draws what it needs, too low a PSU rating and the motherboard and other components will probably not last as long as they should or the PSU packs up. The PSU requirement depends on what else you have in the PC over and above a one drive, one optical off the shelf system.
Add, as you can more hard drives, I have 6 in one PC, TV card, Sound card, more ram, blueray drive , fancy coloured fans and lighting, external drives on a USB port or even just extra fans and the power required goes up for each item you add, doesn't take much to shove the power requirements over that recommended for the GPU.

 

[tomurban]

Why does (for example) a video card spec says that it needs a 650 watt PS ... When it doesn't pull 1/10 of that under load ? I don't understand.

And can any 300 watt descktop PC, have its PS replaced with a 800-900 watt PS without damaging the factory motherboard ?

My system is a 3 month old Lenovo Model 7727 idea centre (tower) with a 300W PS.

It is factory equipped with:

1. Intel i7/cooler
2. 12GB of ram
3. 1.5TB DVD/RW HD (7200 RPM)
4. Dual USB 3.0 card (two ports) This is in addition to the usual 8 USB 2.0 ports
5. Wifi card
6. Case fan
7. Multi Port Card Reader

I have added and/or installed the following:

1. Toshiba 250GB USB portable HD
2. Ventura 32GB USB flash drive (can be used as a HD)
3. The MSI AMD 6670/1GB DDR5 ram and dual fans as noted above (fan speed set to auto)

The total SYSTEM power draw for this setup is 130-140W under load as measured with a watt meter. As you can see the power draw does fluctuate some which is normal. Since I have a 300W PS (280W Max Continuous Load) it leaves me with a 140-150W (cushion) for the PS. This approximately 50% of the rated capacity and quite adequate. I should also mention that I have run TRS12 and some intensive routes for hours at a time without any fans speeding up to indicate a temperature rise.

Hope this helps to clarify the relationship between total system power requirements and graphics card needs. I believe the HD6670 specs calls for a minimum 400W PS, but as you see, 300W will do quite nicely if the rest of your system is not overly power hungry.