Hey everyone! I recently bought a second-hand PC that has an i5-7400 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 400W power supply unit (PSU). I'm considering adding an RX 580 graphics card with 8GB of memory, but I'm unsure if the power supply can handle it. I'm also toying with the idea of using SATA to PCIe adapters for additional power. Has anyone attempted this setup, or do you think the PSU will be insufficient? I'd really appreciate your advice before making any changes!
5 Answers
If you can snag an RX 580 at a low price and you're okay with taking some risks, then using those SATA to PCIe adapters might not be terrible. Just keep in mind that if you're on a budget, breaking your PC isn’t worth the small savings you’re aiming for. It might be smarter to consider something like a GTX 1650 for easier compatibility, and they generally require less power.
400W? That's definitely too low. I just had to upgrade from a 400W myself. If your GPU isn't something like a GTX 1050, you’ll likely run into power issues, especially with newer games. I had a rough experience before switching my PSU and GPU.
That sounds frustrating. If I'm looking at a new PSU and a GPU, that’s gonna turn into a whole upgrade process, which I was hoping to avoid!
Honestly, instead of trying to patch it up with SATA to PCIe adapters, it's probably smarter to invest in a new PSU. It'll save you headaches in the long run.
I'm on a tight budget, though. I bought the whole PC for just 60 bucks!
That setup sounds pretty underwhelming for modern gaming. I mean, unless you're just playing older games like Fallout New Vegas or Minecraft, you might be disappointed. I've actually got two PSUs—one for the motherboard and another for my GPU, and my GPU itself is on a 650W PSU just to be safe. That's probably overkill, but I don't have to worry about power.
I mainly want to play games like Apex Legends and Hogwarts Legacy. Will my setup be able to handle that?
Using two power supplies? How does that work? Are both of them low capacity?
Nah, I wouldn't risk it. The power needs of a GPU can vary a lot, and the specified cables for each component are designed for a reason. Just because one person on YouTube says it's okay doesn't mean it's safe—better not to mess around with your PC's power.
I hear you. I saw a video saying it should work, but I don't want to take that chance.
I get that, but for the price, the RX 580 looks way better compared to the GTX 1650 in my region.