Any danger using a PSU with a higher wattage than you actually need?
Posted by 2ThePointOh@reddit | buildapc | View on Reddit | 51 comments
I replaced my PSU with a 750W PSU when the actual usage is ~600W. It works but every time I power down, as it finishes, it makes this chunky click sound like an electrical jump. I've had no issues, just don't want to fry anything.
testsieger73@reddit
PSUs should always provide a headroom, so you are totally fine. I would rather worry about my PC using 600W ;)
9gagWas2Hateful@reddit
Why? (Hi, I'm new)
ShadowBannedXexy@reddit
600w is a huge amount of power draw for a modern computer
JC_23@reddit
Reading this today and and laughing cause my gpu alone was pulling near 500 watts oc
LukePickle007@reddit
Lol I was reading it too thinking "Pretty sure my gpu alone is close to 500w" lol.
jello_boy2000@reddit
Lol same everyone concerned about 600 when my system is drawing 634
EmberTheFoxyFox@reddit
Reading this now when 600W is normal for the high end GPUs
Hortos@reddit
Me too, still trying to get a RTX 5080 lmao.
RakmarRed@reddit
I am reading this from the year 2050, and we need 20MW for the cooling alone.
Sheerkal@reddit
I am reading this from the year 2026, and we need 20MW for the AI RGB alone.
tojake1@reddit
I'm reading this from 400,000 years ago. How did I get here?
Whos_Blockin_Jimmy@reddit
Yea I’m on a i9k and supa Quadro card and it’s pulling 400ish easily!
9gagWas2Hateful@reddit
But like what's the problem with that? Again, I'm super new so the only thing that comes to mind is a crazy electric bill. Or is it something like picking the wrong parts? Or maybe even dangerous?
LongFluffyDragon@reddit
Huge amounts of heat generated, stability issues and potentially damage unless cooling is exceptional.
Plus the problem is usually why it is drawing 600W.
Whos_Blockin_Jimmy@reddit
Cause normals have a p5000 and an i9k processor and 64 ram! Its all day 400ish!
Whos_Blockin_Jimmy@reddit
Mines around 400ish but p5000 and an k version i9. Yippie skippie! Eaton ups tell me what my wattage is.
Fancy_Raspberry9179@reddit
Lol mine is 800w
Whos_Blockin_Jimmy@reddit
Perv
Whos_Blockin_Jimmy@reddit
Yea 600w is an insane nerdy gamer levels where they have 2-4 gpu that’s making them poor through electrical bills.
subrosians@reddit
I've always built my computers with power supplies that are twice what the actual usage is under normal load, as most power supply efficiency curves work out that they are most efficient at about that amount. That being said, I don't think I have ever owned a system that pulls more than 300-350W so either you have an absolute BEAST of a machine, like Dual Xeons or quad GPUs, or your number has to be wrong somehow. A good 600W power supply should run any normal system with no problem.
Whos_Blockin_Jimmy@reddit
Btch, an average i9k and a P5000 easily pulls that!
subrosians@reddit
holy necro-bump batman!
Back when this post was made, the Titan RTX was the god-tier GPU and pulled up to 280W. The god-tier consumer CPU would have been the Core i9-9900K with a TDP of 95W and overclocking to maybe about 200W. Your NVIDIA Quadro P5000 reference card only pulls 180W for example. One step further, I would say that the most popular GPU of that era according to resources like steam hardware survey would be the GTX 1060 which only pulled 150W.
In today's standards, CPUs still kinda max out at the low 200W but GPUs have gone nuts and can pull 600W by themselves. That being said, any computer running a RTX 5090, i would still call an "absolute beast of a machine" so my actual reply still holds.
Anyways, thanks a bunch for a trip down memory lane!
Chikuaani@reddit
What monster of a PC uses More than 450 watts? You got a sli/crossfire setup with +5 hdds and ssds? :D
Thievian@reddit
*stares at 650W PSU in slingle GPU pc
Well at least i cut back! Had a 750W PSU last summer and 'returned' it.
Whos_Blockin_Jimmy@reddit
Btch move.
Thievian@reddit
Lol, I only returned it because a brown out killed it. The company reimbursed me.
oranwolf@reddit
I've powered a 4790k and a GTX 690 (so,dual 680's on the same PCB) with an 8 year old Rosewill 700 watt power supply and I'm surprised I didn't blow that thing up.
I've moved the system to a newer 1000 watt power supply that is certainly a better built unit, so I think I'm in the clear now
Whos_Blockin_Jimmy@reddit
You did good, boy. You did good. Pig
simplylmao@reddit
this is absolutely humorous in 2024
astronomersassn@reddit
saw someone from 5 years ago say asking if going a little high on PSU wattage indicates you probably dont have a PC that needs it (or should need it) as though im not replacing a PSU and didnt find this thread by googling "will too much wattage in my PSU damage my computer"
im planning on replacing my PSU and ive found some that are definitely overkill for my usage for cheaper than the ones that match the wattage of my current PSU (which may as well be dead, leaky roof right onto my luckily unplugged PC and that's somehow the only damage, would rather spend $150 unnecessarily than risk the rest of my PC)
i know my way around everything else, PSUs are just not something i've ever needed to mess with lol. looks like a lot of modern GPUs need more power, so since it looks like the answer is "overkill is fine," i may as well go for the one on sale (reliable brand and confirmed good, just seems to be a returned-from-online item the store itself doesnt stock) and have the extra for when i eventually replace my GPU.
Whos_Blockin_Jimmy@reddit
Only buy an 80 platinum rated or you’ll get butt fck’s by your mom!
simplylmao@reddit
I aint reading allat
MaddieGreenUnicorn@reddit
Just think 🤔 what will ppl in 4 more years think about this
Whos_Blockin_Jimmy@reddit
Future Btchez just DON’T know!
XzX_z3@reddit
Hello from the future : )
_blunderyears@reddit
Hijacking OP’s post. Can anyone tell me if this is a good psu? https://www.newegg.com/seasonic-prime-series-ssr-600tl-600w/p/N82E16817151194?item=N82E16817151194
Its for my new rig which has a 3900x and 2080 super
Whos_Blockin_Jimmy@reddit
You need 80 platinum or you’ll in trouble.
Whos_Blockin_Jimmy@reddit
It’ll wipe out your whole heritage!
teardrop082000@reddit
Just stay below 1600 watts else it's a special plug in
Whos_Blockin_Jimmy@reddit
Only pink Btchez need something that bag. Lil dck peoplez! AhhahahhhHa gross ew
Lewjar6@reddit
Phew because i just bought a 750w PSU for a 400w build lol
Whos_Blockin_Jimmy@reddit
You need a 1000 watts are you’ll spontaneously combust and ruin the lives of everyone around you! Get that 1k watts now!
redditor15677@reddit
No danger
Whos_Blockin_Jimmy@reddit
Danger Mouse?!
KillerDonuts27@reddit
I am actually pretty happy and surprised with the answers I saw here today. Way to often do I see comments about how too much power will kill a PC. This is probably the smartest group I've ever been in.
Whos_Blockin_Jimmy@reddit
What azz subreddits are you in?! Too much power is GOOD! Unless it’s a linear power supply and then both you and the electrical company is fck’d and out on the streets homeless.
Pluto-082@reddit
No it does not matter how large your PSU is and if the PSU wattage is way over what you need. A computer DRAWS power ON ITS OWN. A PSU DOES NOT force extra electricity into your computer. Your computer will draw however much it needs.
Whos_Blockin_Jimmy@reddit
That because it’s Bobby Digital, is it was a linear supply, oh sht does it matter! It’ll cause so much heat and put you and the power company outta business trying to to feed it!
Mentosbandit1@reddit
My system uses about 450 watts and I have a 1k gold evga power subtly your fine
Whos_Blockin_Jimmy@reddit
That’s not platinum! Please play again! This time put the meth pipe down.
No_Rutabaga_9360@reddit
reading everyones comments made me feel better about buying a new PSU with higher wattage, thank you🫶