I'm upgrading my older PC, which I built in 2021, and I just got a used RX 6700 XT (MSI Mech 2) that likely came from mining. My budget is a bit tight, so I'm wondering if I can use my old 500W power supply for this GPU, even though it's rated for 650W. I'm considering undervolting the GPU a little and applying new thermal paste to it. After calculating, I estimate my total power consumption will be around 364W under normal use. Here's what my setup looks like:
1. AsRock B450 PRO4-f
2. Ryzen 5 3500x
3. SilentiumPC Vero L3 500W (spc265)
4. 2x8Gb DDR4 3200MHz RAM
5. Single M.2 NVME drive
6. 5 case fans
I'm coming from an RX 580, and while I know the CPU might bottleneck a bit, my main concern right now is the safety of my system. I'll be upgrading to a solid 650W modular PSU in a few weeks, but I want to know if I'll be okay in the meantime.
3 Answers
Given that you'll need to undervolt, it seems that the 500W PSU might hold up for a short time. Just keep in mind that if it shuts off during gaming, it's likely not worth trying again. The GPU can draw around 220W plus around 100W for the rest of your setup, so power spikes could be an issue.
It sounds like you might be pushing it a bit! I'd recommend checking out some power supply calculators online. Most suggest that 500W isn't quite enough, and aiming for at least 600W would be safer. Here's a couple of links to those calculators if you want to give them a try: pc-builds.com and coolermaster.com.
Okay, thanks for the input!
Your PSU isn't too bad so you could give it a shot for now, but definitely plan on undervolting the GPU until you get that new PSU. Just pay attention to how it performs! If you want more peace of mind, check out this PSU tier list I found: cultists.network. It might help you feel better about your setup.
That's the first thing I'm going to try, thanks!
My CPU should only draw about 65W, but I’m going to check the real-time usage. Other components are around 60W, so I hope the PSU can handle the spikes.