Choosing the Best PSU for Nvidia’s GeForce GTX 1650 GPU
Learn about what to look for when choosing a power supply for Nvidia’s GeForce GTX 1650 GPU.
In this article, I’ll go over the things you should consider when choosing a power supply for your computer with an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card.
Check out my Recommended Power Supplies for GTX 1650 GPUs below.
Best 450–750 Watt PSU
Corsair SF Series 80+ Platinum Fully Modular Power Supply
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How to Choose a Power Supply for the GTX 1650 GPU
The main job of a power supply is to convert the alternating current (AC) from your wall outlet into the direct current (DC) needed by the components inside your computer.
Power Output
An important factor when buying a PSU is the supported wattage.
You can estimate your power needs by using the following chart.
Component | Peak Power Usage |
---|---|
GTX 1650 GPU | 75 W |
Top-Tier CPU (e. g., Intel Core i9 12900K) | 241 W |
Mid-Tier CPU (e.g., Intel Core i5 12600K) | 150 W |
Motherboard | 80 W |
Optical Drive | 30 W |
3.5″ Hard Drive | 9 W |
M.2 or 2.5″ SSD | 9 W |
140 mm Case/CPU Fan | 6 W |
120 mm Case/CPU Fan | 6 W |
80 mm Case/CPU Fan | 3 W |
By adding up these numbers, you can estimate peak power usage. Check out the top-tier and mid-tier example builds below.
It’s generally a good idea to add a 100–150 W buffer to your expected usage. This buffer will give you some flexibility in case of miscalculations and will allow you to add more drives, fans, or add-in cards in the future.
In most cases, buying a little more wattage than you need is a safer choice for ensuring system stability.
Don’t forget to account for the additional power required for overclocking if you intend to overclock your CPU or GPU. Overclocking could require roughly an extra 50–100 W, depending on how much you overclock these devices.
Check another Nvidia GPU:
GeForce RTX 3090 Ti GeForce RTX 3090 GeForce RTX 3080 Ti GeForce RTX 3080 GeForce RTX 3070 Ti GeForce RTX 3070 GeForce RTX 3060 Ti GeForce RTX 3060 GeForce RTX 3050 TITAN RTX GeForce RTX 2080 Ti GeForce RTX 2080 Super GeForce RTX 2080 GeForce RTX 2070 Super GeForce RTX 2070 GeForce RTX 2060 Super GeForce RTX 2060 GeForce GTX 1660 Ti GeForce GTX 1660 Super GeForce GTX 1650 Super GeForce GTX 1650 TITAN X Pascal TITAN Xp GeForce GTX 1080 Ti GeForce GTX 1080 GeForce GTX 1070 Ti GeForce GTX 1070 GeForce GTX 1060 GeForce GTX 1050 Ti GeForce GTX 1050 GeForce GT 1030 GeForce GTX TITAN X GeForce GTX 980 Ti GeForce GTX 980 GeForce GTX 970 GeForce GTX 960 GeForce GTX 950 GeForce GTX TITAN Z GeForce GTX TITAN Black GeForce GTX TITAN GeForce GTX 780 Ti GeForce GTX 780 GeForce GTX 770 GeForce GTX 760 Ti GeForce GTX 760 GeForce GTX 760 192-bit GeForce GTX 750 Ti GeForce GTX 750
Top-Tier Estimate:
Top-Tier Components | Peak Power Consumption |
---|---|
GTX 1650 GPU | 75 watts |
Top-Tier CPU (e. g., Intel Core i9 12900K) | 241 watts |
Motherboard | 80 watts |
4 M.2 or 2.5″ SSDs | 36 watts |
3 Case Fans (120 mm) | 18 watts |
2 CPU Fans (120 mm) | 12 watts |
Total Estimate: | 462 watts |
Recommended Power Supply Wattage: | 600 watts |
Check the latest price of the 450–750 watt Corsair SF Power Supplies on Amazon
(affiliate link).
Check out my Recommended Power Supplies for GTX 1650 GPUs below.
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CORSAIR RM Series (2021), RM750, 750 Watt, 80 Plus Gold Certified, Fully Modular Power Supply
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Corsair RMX Series, RM750x, 750 Watt, 80+ Gold Certified, Fully Modular Power Supply (Low Noise, Zero RPM Fan Mode, 105°C Capacitors, Fully Modular Cables, Compact Size) Black
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Mid-Tier Estimate:
Mid-Tier Components | Peak Power Consumption |
---|---|
GTX 1650 GPU | 75 watts |
Mid-Tier CPU (e. g., Intel Core i5 12600K) | 150 watts |
Motherboard | 80 watts |
2 M.2 or 2.5″ SSDs | 18 watts |
2 Case Fans (120 mm) | 12 watts |
2 CPU Fans (120 mm) | 12 watts |
Total Estimate: | 347 watts |
Recommended Power Supply Wattage: | 500 watts |
Check the latest price of the 450–750 watt Corsair SF Power Supplies on Amazon
(affiliate link).
Check out my Recommended Power Supplies for GTX 1650 GPUs below.
Power Efficiency
PSUs with higher efficiency ratings use less energy and produce less heat, improving their reliability and reducing noise.
The 80 PLUS certification program for power supplies helps to promote energy efficiency by indicating its efficiency rating.
Higher efficiency power supplies may have a higher upfront cost. However, they could potentially save you money on electricity in the long run.
Lower wattage PSUs will be more power-efficient even when idle. For this reason, you may be able to save more on electricity by getting the correct wattage of PSU than by getting the one with the best 80 PLUS rating.
Certification Level | 10% Load | 20% Load | 50% Load | 100% Load |
---|---|---|---|---|
80 Plus | 80% | 80% | 80% | |
80 Plus Bronze | 82% | 85% | 82% | |
80 Plus Silver | 85% | 88% | 85% | |
80 Plus Gold | 87% | 90% | 87% | |
80 Plus Platinum | 90% | 92% | 89% | |
80 Plus Titanium | 90% | 92% | 94% | 90% |
Cables
Connectors
Make sure your PSU has the correct connectors to support the hardware in your system. Cheaper PSUs may cut costs on connectors and cables by offering fewer options and shorter lengths.
Check with your motherboard and graphics card documentation to determine which connector types are needed. Buy a popular, recently-released PSU; it will likely have the necessary connectors for a new PC build. However, if you use old components or an old power supply, you may find some incompatibilities.
Here are some common connector types that power supplies support:
- 24-pin connector for the motherboard
- 4/8-pin connector for the CPU
- 6/8-pin connectors for graphics cards
- SATA Power connector for each SATA HDD or SDD storage device
The latest graphics cards and PSUs are starting to support a new 16-pin PCIe 5.0 connector that replaces multiple 8-pin connectors.
Modular Cables
Typical power supplies come with various cables to connect your components. However, extra unused power cables can work against you by interrupting airflow.
In comparison, modular and semi-modular power supplies allow for attaching only the cables you need. As the name implies, semi-modular power supplies have some wires soldered on, while you can optionally connect others.
Cable Lengths
Most power supplies will have cables long enough to support mid-sized towers comfortably. If you have a full-size tower, you may want to check reviews and documentation to ensure that the cables are long enough to allow good cable management.
Power Supply Form Factors
Various form factors are available for power supplies. However, a standard-size desktop PC build will use an ATX power supply.
Small form factor PSUs allow for usage in many computer case shapes, including mini-PCs.
Power Supply Features
Overvoltage protection and short circuit protection can help to save your components in the case of a surge or accident.
LED lighting is another feature you might consider, depending on your PC goals.
Choosing a Cost-Effective Power Supply for the GTX 1650
Perhaps you live in a dorm or a family member’s house and don’t pay the power bill. Or maybe you don’t expect the computer to have heavy daily usage. In those cases, the lower upfront cost of a less efficient PSU may be the better choice.
On the other hand, if you care more about the electric bill or the environment and plan to maintain higher CPU or GPU usage, then a more efficient PSU may be better.
Don’t go too far over 150 W above your expected power needs. Rightsizing your power supply will keep electricity costs to a minimum, as higher wattage PSUs will consume some additional power, even when idle.
Recommended 750–1000 Watt PSU: Seasonic Prime Series
- Titanium 80 PLUS efficiency rating means the Seasonic Prime TX is at least 94% efficient at 50% load.
- Fully modular cabling allows you to optimize airflow and minimize clutter.
- Silent during low usage.
- 12-year warranty.
- This series of power supplies comes in power outputs including 750, 850, and 1000 watts.
- It also is available in a Gold rated (GX) version.
Seasonic Prime TX-750
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Recommended 450–750 Watt PSU: Corsair SF Series
- Platinum 80 PLUS efficiency ratings.
- Fully modular cabling allows you to optimize airflow and minimize clutter.
- Near silent during low usage.
- 7-year warranty.
- This series of power supplies comes in power outputs including 450, 600, and 750 watts.
Corsair SF Series 80+ Platinum Fully Modular Power Supply
Check Price on Amazon
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Other Considerations When Building a PC
Want to brush up on other new technologies to consider when building a computer? Check out these articles:
- Cases:
- How to Choose the Best PC Case
- CPUs:
- Which Intel and AMD CPUs Support PCIe 5. 0?
- Which Intel and AMD CPUs Support PCIe 4.0?
- LGA 1700 CPU List
- LGA 1200 CPU List
- Look up an Intel or AMD CPU on TechReviewer for related recommendations:
- CPU Coolers:
- What is the Best Type of CPU cooler for a Gaming PC?
- How to Choose a CPU Cooler for Your PC
- Best LGA 1700 CPU Cooler for Intel’s 12th Gen Core Processors
- Best AM4 CPU Cooler for AMD Processors
- Storage:
- Can an SSD Improve PC Gaming Performance? and Does an SSD Increase FPS for PC Gaming?
- Storage Type Comparison: M.2, U.2, NVMe, SATA, SSDs, HDDs
- Memory:
- How to Choose the Best RAM for Your PC
- How Much RAM Do You Need for Gaming? and Is 32 GB of RAM Worth It for Gaming?
- DDR4 vs. DDR5? Which You Should Buy
- Is DDR5 Worth It? The Benefits of DDR5 and What Is DDR5?
- Which Intel and AMD CPUs Support DDR5?
- PCI-Express:
- Is PCIe 5. 0 Worth It?
- Motherboards:
- Which Motherboards Support PCIe 5.0?
- Which Motherboards Support PCIe 4.0?
- Which Motherboard Should You Buy for Intel’s 12th Gen CPUs?
- Graphics Cards:
- Which Graphics Cards Support PCIe 4.0?
- Power Supplies:
- How to Choose the Best Power Supply for a Gaming PC
- How to Choose a PC Power Supply
- Keyboards:
- Best Mechanical Keyboard for Gaming
- Monitors:
- How to Choose a Gaming Monitor
Have a suggestion or correction for this article? Send us an email at:
[email protected]
You can also contact the author at:
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GTX 1650 Power Consumption Guide
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click one, I may earn a commission at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
When the 30-series of graphics cards were released, people were extremely excited to get their hands on the very latest technology. But a global chip shortage meant that cards were hard to get hold of, and prices were extremely inflated. So a lot of people who had been looking to upgrade had to instead look at older cards.
This meant that the GeForce GTX 1650 had a little bit of a resurgence. People who already had the card were holding onto it, as their planned upgrade was delayed, while others were hunting out the card because they couldn’t afford the higher prices of the 20- and 30-series cards.
The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 is still a really good option for a budget graphics card, especially if you’re building a PC for someone who primarily wants to play games that are less demanding, like Minecraft, Fortnite or Roblox.
But do you have the power supply you need to run it? And if not, how do you avoid overpaying for a power supply that’s way bigger than you need? Read on to find out more.
Table of Contents
[show]
How Many Watts Does A GTX 1650 Use?
A GTX 1650 graphics card is one of the best low-power graphics cards you can buy, using just 75 watts for most games. When idle it still uses around 8 watts of power, which is similar to some higher-powered (and therefore more efficient) graphics cards.
75 watts really is low for a graphics card, but it can reach a slightly higher power draw when playing a game on a higher setting – around 81 watts would be considered normal.
Also, there will be some times when the power draw may spike. This is when it’ll go above the average maximum, but only for a short burst of time. The GTX 1650 has been recorded at spikes of close to 100 watts, which is still really low (Source).
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How Many Watts Does A GTX 1650 Use Per Hour?
A GTX 1650 graphics card will use 75 watt-hours per hour when you’re using your PC for gaming, which is the same as 0. 075 kilowatt-hours per hour. The average gamer spends 8.5 hours a week playing games, so a GTX 1650 averages 0.64 kilowatt-hours a week.
If you take the average electricity cost in the US as $0.14 per kilowatt-hour, that means your GTX 1650 costs you around 9 cents a week to run. But that’s not quite accurate
Firstly, that’s just the graphics card. Your entire PC is a power draw, so you need to work out the total consumption of all your components. Usually, the graphics card will be the biggest power draw, but with a GTX 1650, you might have a processor that needs more power.
Read more: How Many Watts Does A Gaming PC Use?
Then, remember that those estimates are only for when you’re gaming. You also need to factor in how much you’re using the PC for non-gaming tasks, as your GTX 1650 will still draw power (albeit not very much at all).
And the final impact on average costs to run a PC depends on the power supply you’re using – so let’s explore that.
What Power Supply Do I Need For A GTX 1650?
The average recommended power supply for a GTX 1650 graphics card is 300 watts minimum, but it entirely depends on the rest of your setup. If you have a mid-spec PC then it might make sense to upgrade to a 350-400 watt power supply instead.
Your power supply is the component which drives all the power to the rest of your PC. When calculating the size, you need to add up the power draw of all the components in your PC, and then add 20% to account for any power spikes that could occur – otherwise your PSU might get overloaded.
It’s easier to give an average estimate for higher-spec graphics cards because they tend to fit in PCs within a certain budget, but there are a variety of users opting for a GTX 1650 for various reasons.
It might be a low-spec build overall, or it could be someone with a mid-range processor and plenty of RAM that just can’t afford the card that would best fit their machine for now.
So, while the 300-watt recommendation is a good guideline, your PC might need a bigger one. Especially if you’re planning on upgrading your graphics card again in future.
Also, bear in mind that 300-watt power supplies rarely have the 80+ efficiency grade. Power supplies draw more power than the PC needs because they aren’t perfectly efficient, which is why you can’t rely on just adding up the wattage of your PC parts and using that to estimate your electricity bills.
Read more: Power Supply Ratings Explained
Higher-rated power supplies are rated 80+ Bronze or better, meaning that they’re at least 80% efficient when the PC is running at low, mid and max capacity. But you likely won’t find many of these options at 300 watts.
For that reason, it makes sense to look for a higher-rated PSU. A 400 watt PSU won’t draw more power than a 300 watt one – it only uses what the PC components need. But it might draw less if it’s more efficient since it wastes less.
The Best Power Supply For A GTX 1650
The best power supply for a GTX 1650 is at least 300 watts, but ideally, you should buy one rated higher, especially as you’ve more chance of finding one that’s rated at least 80+ Bronze for efficiency.
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This EVGA power supply is a great choice for a PSU for a GTX 1650. It’s not super expensive, and it comes from a reliable brand (and has a 3-year warranty included).
Yes, it’s probably more power than you need, but remember it will only draw what your PC needs, plus the extra to run the PSU – and as this is 80+ Bronze, it’ll be more efficient and therefore use less than an unrated 300 watt PSU.
Does GTX 1650 need external power?
Generally, a GTX 1650 graphics card requires a 6-pin connector running directly from the power supply. Some cards can be configured to run without any external power, only drawing power directly from the PCIe slot on the motherboard.
That doesn’t apply to every model though, and it’s always best to connect it to your power supply if it has the connector.
GTX 1650 FAQs
Is 250 Watts enough for GTX 1650?
A 250-watt power supply is unlikely to be enough for the demand of a GTX 1650 unless your system is very basic. It may work OK, but any power spikes will likely cause the PC to restart or experience other problems.
Is a 450W PSU enough for GTX 1650?
A 450-watt power supply is more than sufficient for handling a GTX 1650 graphics card, even on a decent mid-spec PC. You’re more likely to get an efficient 80+ Bronze graphics card if you buy one at 450 watts or better, too.
Is 500 watts enough for GTX 1650?
A 500-watt power supply is more than enough for a GTX 1650 graphics card, even on a decent mid-spec gaming PC. You’re more likely to get an efficient 80+ Bronze graphics card if you buy one at 500 watts or better, too.
Can An GTX 1650 Be Used For Crypto Mining?
Technically you can use a GTX 1650 graphics card for crypto mining, but it’s so low powered that you’re unlikely to benefit much. Most crypto mining PCs use multiple high-powered graphics cards – a single low-powered one will not see much return.
Related Posts:
- GTX 1660 Super Power Consumption Guide
- RX 580 Power Consumption Guide
- GTX 1050 Power Consumption Guide
AMD Ryzen 5 3500 NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 — PSU Calculator
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Copy and paste the following markup into your post:
[OuterVision PSU Calculator part list](https://outervision.com/b/lugPht)
Type|Item
:—-|:—-
**Motherboard** | Desktop
**Socket** | Socket AM4
**CPU** | 1 x AMD Ryzen 5 3500
**CPU Speed** | 3600MHz
**CPU Vcore** | 1.1V
**CPU Utilization** | 90%
**Memory** | 1 x 8GB DDR4 Module
**Memory** | 1 x 8GB DDR4 Module
**Video Card Set 1** | 1 x NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
**Core Clock** | 1485MHz
**Memory Clock** | 2000MHz
**Storage** | 1 x SATA SSD
**Storage** | 1 x SATA 5. 4K RPM
**Keyboard** | 1 x Standard Keyboard
**Mouse** | 1 x Standard Mouse
**Fan** | 3 x 120mm
**Computer Utilization** | 16 hours per day
**Gaming / Heavy 3D Application Time** | 16 hours per day
**Monitor** | 1 x LED 24 inches
**Load Wattage** | 278W
**Recommended Wattage** | 328W
**Amperage** | +3.3V: 9.6A, +5V: 8.3A, +12V: 17.0A
**Recommended UPS Rating** | 650VA
Generated by OuterVision PSU Calculator 2020-04-29 09:40:18.0
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[url=https://outervision.com/b/lugPht]OuterVision PSU Calculator part list[/url]
[b]Motherboard:[/b] Desktop
[b]Socket:[/b] Socket AM4
[b]CPU:[/b] 1 x AMD Ryzen 5 3500
[b]CPU Speed:[/b] 3600MHz
[b]CPU Vcore:[/b] 1.1V
[b]CPU Utilization:[/b] 90%
[b]Memory:[/b] 1 x 8GB DDR4 Module
[b]Memory:[/b] 1 x 8GB DDR4 Module
[b]Video Card Set 1:[/b] 1 x NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
[b]Core Clock:[/b] 1485MHz
[b]Memory Clock:[/b] 2000MHz
[b]Storage:[/b] 1 x SATA SSD
[b]Storage:[/b] 1 x SATA 5. 4K RPM
[b]Keyboard:[/b] 1 x Standard Keyboard
[b]Mouse:[/b] 1 x Standard Mouse
[b]Fan:[/b] 3 x 120mm
[b]Computer Utilization:[/b] 16 hours per day
[b]Gaming / Heavy 3D Application Time:[/b] 16 hours per day
[b]Monitor:[/b] 1 x LED 24 inches
[b]Load Wattage:[/b] 278W
[b]Recommended Wattage:[/b] 328W
[b]Amperage:[/b] +3.3V: 9.6A, +5V: 8.3A, +12V: 17.0A
[b]Recommended UPS Rating:[/b] 650VA
[i]Generated by OuterVision PSU Calculator 2020-04-29 09:40:18.0[/i]
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Copy and paste the following markup into your post:
OuterVision PSU Calculator part list
Type | Item |
---|---|
Motherboard | Desktop |
Socket | Socket AM4 |
CPU | 1 x AMD Ryzen 5 3500 |
CPU Speed | 3600MHz |
CPU Vcore | 1. 1V |
CPU Utilization | 90% |
Memory | 1 x 8GB DDR4 Module |
Memory | 1 x 8GB DDR4 Module |
Video Card Set 1 | 1 x NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 |
Core Clock | 1485MHz |
Memory Clock | 2000MHz |
Storage | 1 x SATA SSD |
Storage | 1 x SATA 5.4K RPM |
Keyboard | 1 x Standard Keyboard |
Mouse | 1 x Standard Mouse |
Fan | 3 x 120mm |
Computer Utilization | 16 hours per day |
Gaming / Heavy 3D Application Time | 16 hours per day |
Monitor | 1 x LED 24 inches |
Load Wattage | 278W |
Recommended Wattage | 328W |
Amperage | +3. 3V: 9.6A, +5V: 8.3A, +12V: 17.0A |
Recommended UPS Rating | +3.3V: 650VA |
Generated by OuterVision PSU Calculator 2020-04-29 09:40:18.0 |
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OuterVision PSU Calculator part list https://outervision.com/b/lugPht
Motherboard: Desktop
Socket: Socket AM4
CPU: 1 x AMD Ryzen 5 3500
CPU Speed: 3600MHz
CPU Vcore: 1.1V
CPU Utilization: 90%
Memory: 1 x 8GB DDR4 Module
Memory: 1 x 8GB DDR4 Module
Video Card Set 1: 1 x NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
Core Clock: 1485MHz
Memory Clock: 2000MHz
Storage: 1 x SATA SSD
Storage: 1 x SATA 5.4K RPM
Keyboard: 1 x Standard Keyboard
Mouse: 1 x Standard Mouse
Fan: 3 x 120mm
Computer Utilization: 16 hours per day
Gaming / Heavy 3D Application Time: 16 hours per day
Monitor: 1 x LED 24 inches
Load Wattage: 278W
Recommended Wattage: 328W
Amperage: +3. 3V: 9.6A, +5V: 8.3A, +12V: 17.0A
Recommended UPS Rating: 650VA
Generated by OuterVision PSU Calculator 2020-04-29 09:40:18.0
Motherboard: | Desktop | |
Socket: | Socket AM4 | |
CPU: | 1 x AMD Ryzen 5 3500 | |
CPU Speed: | 3600 MHz | |
CPU Vcore: | 1.1 V | |
CPU Utilization: | 90 % | |
Memory: | 1 x 8GB DDR4 Module | |
Memory: | 1 x 8GB DDR4 Module | |
Video Card Set 1: | 1 x NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 | |
Core Clock: | 1485 MHz | |
Memory Clock: | 2000 MHz | |
Storage: | 1 x SATA SSD | |
Storage: | 1 x SATA 5. 4K RPM | |
Keyboard: | 1 x Standard Keyboard | |
Mouse: | 1 x Standard Mouse | |
Fan: | 3 x 120mm | |
Computer Utilization: | 16 hours per day | |
Gaming / Heavy 3D Application Time: | 16 hours per day | |
Monitor: | 1 x LED 24 inches |
Load Wattage: | 278 W |
|
||||||||||||
Recommended UPS rating: | 650 VA | |||||||||||||
Recommended PSU Wattage: | 328 W |
Note: The above results may differ from the actual, current PSU Calculator results due to PC parts wattage updates, bug fixes, etc.
how to invest in $1000? GECID.com. Page 1
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This is not the first assembly with the TELEMART. ua store, but the terms of our partnership remain unchanged: we ourselves choose and throw in the basket the components of interest, they are delivered to us, and we test the created assembly in synthetics and games. However, this time there were some difficulties. But first things first.
As the hardware was chosen, the dollar exchange rate changed a little, so you see the prices on the screen in hryvnias, but we will immediately convert them into dollars.
First of all, let’s pay attention to the video card, because it is the basis of a gaming PC. And here a dilemma awaited us. Cheaper models like the GT 710 and 1030 are out of the woods, while more modern ones have the GTX 1650 for $427 and up. Then dip to $760! In this case, $ 240 remains for the rest of the configuration — is it enough?
Let’s try! Let’s take the cheapest components: a Celeron processor for $56, for it the simplest motherboard based on the h510 chipset for $74, minimum RAM, an HDD in addition, and the most budget power supply. The total amount exceeded $1000.
In addition, you won’t play much on such an assembly. At a minimum, you need to replace the processor, at least with a Core i3-10105F. But in this case, $ 1065 is already needed, which is even further beyond the budget. And here it would be desirable to take an SSD instead of an HDD, put more RAM and a more reliable power supply — in a word, you need to increase the limit somewhere to at least $ 1300, but we, suppose, don’t have that much.
Therefore, we will install a simpler video card, the same GTX 1650, and invest the remaining funds in better components. They will last several years without replacement. Then you can only update the video card. Moreover, the GTX 1650 does a good job with current games, especially with simpler projects — tested in one of the previous builds.
Since we chose the Intel platform from the very beginning, we will stick to it. For the role of a processor for Socket LGA1200, you can take something from the Core i5 or Core i7 series. For example, the boxed Core i5-10400F has 6 cores in 12 threads with a frequency formula of 2.9- 4.3 GHz and a thermal package of 65 watts. The multiplier and video core are locked, so overclocking is not possible, and a video card is required.
It cost about $200 when added to cart. I would like more powerful, but for the 8-core 16-thread Core i7-10700KF it was necessary to pay almost 2 times more — $ 375. It’s too much for our budget.
One of the available motherboards was chosen for it — ASUS PRIME B560M-K. Its 8-phase power subsystem is enough for more powerful 10th and 11th generation Intel Core chips. And the chipset allows you to speed up the RAM.
The video card was delivered cheaper — from INNO3D. Curiously, it was $36 cheaper than the similar 2-fan version from MSI, although it uses faster GDDR6 memory instead of GDDR5.
Then we changed the power supply to a more reliable 600-watt model of the CHIEFTEC Proton series with 80 PLUS Bronze certification. The current bundle consumes up to 300 W, which means that the source will work with maximum efficiency and low noise. It also has a pair of 8-pin PCIe connectors for a more powerful graphics card and a full range of protections.
The case was taken decently. Of the relatively inexpensive and nice ones, the choice fell on the solution from PCCooler. I wanted to evaluate the ease of assembly in it and the comfort of the components.
True, it does not have fans — so we added one turntable with backlight from the same PCCooler.
And, of course, we remove the hard drive from the system, and replace it with the most affordable 1 TB M.2 SSD. It turned out to be an Intel 660p. It is based on 3D NAND QLC chips with a resource of 200 TB. Sequential read and write speeds are claimed at 1800 MB/s. In reality, the read speed was slightly higher, and the write speed was slightly lower.
All this cost $960. On delivery, they risked improving the RAM as well. AFOX’s 8GB DDR4-2400 is good, and Crucial Ballistix Black’s 16GB DDR4-3600 is even better. Now there will definitely be no problems with the launch of RUST, Kolda and other gluttons. Plus, you don’t have to play around with it. The memory has CL16 timings and a low-profile heatsink.
They did not fit into the budget strictly, exceeding it by $20. But, if you do not take into account the video card, then such a system will definitely be enough now and for the coming years. And when the holiday comes to our street again, it will be possible to update the video accelerator.
This is the system we ordered… at the end of the week. The weekend passed and the manager of Telemart «pleased» us with bad news. First, the GTX 1650 video cards from INNO3D have been dismantled. Therefore, we again climb into the configurator and look for something suitable in the same price range. ASUS TUF Gaming GTX 1650 with GDDR6 memory has appeared for $455. It is slightly cheaper and faster than MSI’s version with GDDR5. They took her.
The second bad news concerned the motherboard. ASUS PRIME B560M-K is almost out of stock — it is painfully popular due to its price and features. We were offered to take something more expensive. The series was not changed and chose ASUS PRIME B560M-A. She already has 4 DIMM slots for RAM, a heatsink for one M.2 SSD, a reinforced slot for a video card, and a V-M.2 connector for a wireless interface module. A good model for growth.
The third piece of news was about the hulls — yes, that’s right, there are a couple of pieces left of the chosen option, until everyone agrees, they will probably take it apart. Again, we climbed to study the available options, and the model from 1stPlayer attracted attention. It’s cheaper than the original PCCooler case, and it comes with three 120mm fans included.
Even a 360mm CBO can be mounted on the front panel. In the case of mounting an air cooler, there is a limitation on its height of 160 mm. The maximum length of the video card is 300 mm.
Now we don’t need a separate case fan. Let’s save some money.
On the day the assembly was updated, the dollar fell in price. And the total amount of the order approached $1060. The hard budget cap was abandoned due to the highly variable availability of components. But if you wanted to, you could take cheaper DDR4-3200 memory, a simpler motherboard, a 500 watt power supply, etc. to fit in $1000.
Before we had time to agree on the selected components by the end of the day, the ASUS TUF Gaming GTX 1650 video cards ran out. In the same segment, we were offered to take the ASUS GeForce GTX 1650 Dual Mini OC for $475. It has a 2-slot cooler with two Axial-tech fans and a hybrid mode of operation. Boost frequency increased by 2% in Gaming mode. In games, the GPU frequency was in the range of 1800-1900 MHz, and the temperature usually did not exceed 65°C with a critical value of 90°C.
Recall that an INNO3D with a similar GDDR6 memory would cost $427. That is, we lost almost $50. Therefore, our advice: either postpone the purchase altogether, or follow the available offer very carefully and immediately grab an interesting option.
The total build amount almost reached $1050. Why did it decrease if we took a more expensive video card? It’s simple — a new promotion has begun. Of the selected components, the processor, motherboard and CHIEFTEC power supply fell under it. Which was reflected in the total amount of the assembly, compensating us for the loss from a more expensive video card. Here is such a pleasant surprise from Telemart! Therefore, when choosing components, pay attention to various promotions.
All received — proceed to the assembly. The boxed CPU cooler for the Core i5-10400F consists of an aluminum heatsink and a 92mm fan. Under heavy load, it is quite noisy, especially when the CPU warms up to 80°C and above. But this does not interfere with the stability of the system.
There were no problems with the motherboard — beautiful, functional and easy to use. Before the tests, the BIOS was updated to version 1017.
The RAM ran at 3600 MHz without any problems using the XMP profile. If desired, it would be possible to overclock further, but we already know that there is not much point in this.
The video card impressed me with its compact size and quiet operation. At low load, the cooler goes into passive mode. There is even a small two-tone backlight on the case. The
M.2 SSD from Intel does not come with a heatsink, so having a heatsink on the motherboard was very handy. There are no complaints about the work: OS and programs fly, game levels also load quickly. The
CHIEFTEC power supply is as quiet as we expected. There were no power outages. But the cables for connecting the motherboard and the processor turned out to be a bit short: it was not possible to hide them behind the pallet.
The case is quite nice, with a glass side panel and a mesh front. Turntables have a very bright white backlight. During assembly, they decently tinkered to more or less beautifully lay the wires and give the system a neat look, but otherwise there were no problems.
Recall that the gameplays were recorded by an external system with AVerMedia Live Gamer 4K , i.e. without loss of performance.
First of all, after assembling and installing the OS, we checked the system in a stress test. The processor under the boxed cooler warmed up to a maximum of 84°C, and the video card in the «Donut» — up to 64°C. There was no throttling, as well as problems with stable operation. But in the future it is better to replace the cooler.
Optimal Gaming R3 4100 GTX 1650 8Gb
Processor
Processor AMD Ryzen 3 4100
This is a Renoir architecture desktop processor primarily aimed at office systems. It has 4 cores and 8 threads and is manufactured using 7nm process technology, the maximum frequency is 4000MHz, the multiplier is unlocked.
Zen microarchitecture highlights
AMD’s new Zen architecture uses a powerful execution engine and supports simultaneous multithreading (SMT). Zen cores are designed to make efficient use of available microarchitecture resources for maximum computing performance. The new low-latency 3-level cache and new prefetching algorithms significantly reduce cache misses and increase throughput compared to the previous microarchitecture.
Performance and Efficiency for Next Generation Applications
Cloud computing, industrial-grade performance, VR, gaming and data security open up new horizons and require higher levels of computing performance with maximum energy efficiency. From the outset, AMD engineers designed the new Zen architecture to meet and exceed the high performance and efficiency requirements of not only next-generation applications, but future generations as well.
Video card
Video card GeForce GTX 1650 4Gb
NVIDIA Turing
This revolutionary architecture. You’ve never experienced gaming like this before
Performance
GeForce GTX gaming GPUs come with next-generation GDDR5 memory, support for DirectX 12 features, and more. It’s graphics reinvented
TORX Fans 3.0
The latest version of TORX fans raises the performance bar even higher. Traditional vanes with an updated finish focus the airflow, which is then directed downward by dispersion vanes that generate increased static pressure.
Dispersive fan blades have a steeper profile, which accelerates the airflow more, increasing the cooling efficiency.
Traditional fan blades create a constant airflow and direct it to the massive heatsink.
Zero Frozr — cooling on demand
First introduced in 2008, Zero Frozr technology has not gone unnoticed, while now it has already become the industry standard. The essence of the technology is to control the fans, which completely stop when there is no load. Thus, you can fully concentrate on the game without being distracted by the noise of the fans.
Smart aerodynamics
Creating the best cooling system requires knowledge of the laws of aerodynamics.
The wavy shape of the fins makes it easier for air to flow through the heatsink, helping to reduce noise levels.
Airflow Control directs airflow directly to the heatpipes, allowing it to absorb more heat before exiting the heatsink thanks to its larger heat dissipation area.
NVIDIA G-SYNC
Smooth, fast, immersive gameplay without tearing, juddering or lag.
Afterburner
Afterburner is the world’s most famous and widely used graphics card overclocking software. It gives you complete control over your graphics card and allows you to monitor key performance indicators of your system in real time.
Motherboard
Motherboard AMD B450 mATX
Cold, even while gaming
Cooling is a very important part of performance. Made sure there are enough full control fan connectors to let you cool your system the way you want.
Your Game Advantage
Outperform your game rivals with unique tools. Smart hardware and software will keep you one step ahead of your competition.
Be the first on the battlefield
B450 supports all the latest storage standards. This allows you to connect any ultra-fast drive, giving you an edge in the game. Start the game faster, load faster and get a real advantage over your opponent.
The sound that pulls you into the game
Experience maximum immersion while playing. Audio Boost delivers the highest sound quality through the use of the highest quality audio components. It will let you enjoy breathtaking, incredible sound to create amazing gameplay.
Dominate the game with the least delay.
Get ready to destroy enemies on the battlefield. Forget about lags thanks to the best components and accessories.
Unparalleled memory performance
Motherboards feature a number of unique proprietary technologies that will make your gaming PC’s RAM subsystem run faster and more stable.
Get everything from USB
Transfer your favorite games, music and videos faster than ever. Offers a wide range of options to connect and enhance the performance of your USB 3.1 device.
Timeless Quality The
B450 is made using only the finest quality components and integrating the latest technology to deliver the best gaming and professional experience. Rigid quality control under extreme conditions ensures high reliability and performance of the motherboard.
Designed for overclocking
With the finest components and top-notch design, you can count on your system to deliver world-class performance with this motherboard. Premium quality components, Loadline Calibration algorithms, DigitALL CPU PWM, all this allows B450 motherboards to provide stable power to all system components for maximum performance even during extreme overclocking.
Additional cooling
Presented by a balanced cooling system — AMD BOX , which comes with the processor.
RAM
DDR4 8 GB 2666 MHz memory module will help you win even the most intense battles.
The module automatically recognizes the platform and overclocks itself to the maximum declared frequency, so you can always be sure of it.
DDR4 memory runs at 1.2V so it doesn’t get hot even in the hottest battles. You don’t have to change the voltage to increase speed, so you can save resources for other equipment in the system.
Sleek asymmetrical heat spreader effectively dissipates heat and enhances the look of your system.
Benefits
Optimized for Intel chipsets — just install memory modules to start playing right away
Cost-effective and high-performance solution for upgrading to DDR4 memory technology
Lower power consumption (1.2 V) compared to DDR3 memory
Stylish low-profile heatsink with distinctive asymmetric design
Drive
Installed 480 GB SSD (Form factor 2. 5). This series drive is an ideal solution for everyday tasks such as web browsing, creating documents, viewing and editing multimedia files, playing computer games, etc. The solid state drive is built for the best performance, delivering maximum read speeds of up to 540MB/s and write speeds of up to 520MB/s for lightning-fast file access, fast loading of large media files. Low power consumption will increase the operating time, and the absence of rotating parts ensures zero noise.
Solid state drives are widely used in personal computers, especially when the maximum performance of the storage subsystem is required. Whether you’re using it as a professional workstation or as an enthusiast or gamer’s home system unit, an SSD delivers faster performance than the very best hard drives. An SSD is engineered for superior performance, delivering maximum speed for lightning-fast file access, fast loading of large multimedia files.
Also, the disk has amazing reliability. Due to the increased (compared to the previous generation of devices) write and read speeds, the device allows you to improve the performance of the system. The device is equipped with a special data protection function, which ensures a decent level of reliability of use. Each SSD is built with a wealth of experience and expertise from the manufacturer to ensure superior performance and a sense of satisfaction.
Case
Case The DeepCool Matrexx 30 is a compact M-ATX computer case ideal for gamers who require a compact system. Its logical organization of the interior space maximizes compatibility. The fully tempered glass side panel provides an optimal view of the system configuration.
Classic M-ATX design (420 x 201 x 365mm) compatible with M-ATX and ITX motherboards, small and compact but with ample volume.
Front panel air intake with honeycomb design, supports 120-radiator/fan installation, pre-installed and 120mm black fan at the rear, ensures the performance and aesthetics of the Matrexx 30.
Full tempered glass side panel gives the case a unique look for a perfect demonstration of the internal configuration device.
Removable mounts for 5.25 and 3.5 drives and discs provide endless creative possibilities.
Supports graphics cards up to 250mm long.
Raised rear panel provides 14.8mm cable management space.
Down-mounted power supply design provides unobstructed airflow for heat dissipation.
For ease of use, the top panel is equipped with USB ports, a microphone jack, and an on/off switch.
Power supply
The chassis comes with a 500W power supply.
New question
What happens if the power supply is too weak for the video card or PC
Well, at best, your PC or GPU will perform worse. However, most likely, it will turn off immediately — and even worse .
Let’s dive into everything you need to know about this scenario and what to do when you encounter it.
A note on PSU power and requirements
The biggest power consumption of a modern PC will come from its graphics card with TDPs up to 300W, or even 450W with modern graphics cards. Compared to ~80W of a standard CPU, the second most power-consuming component in a PC, this is quite a lot.
Fortunately, there are many graphics cards with more reasonable TDP and power requirements, such as the Nvidia GTX 1650, that can only run at 75W of PCIe power.
GPUs have also become more power efficient over time, although recent high-end releases from Nvidia and AMD seem to be ditching this in favor of more silicon and a different power connector.
I think this is a valid option, but it is not suitable for users who hope to connect their video card to one 6-pin or 8-pin connector .
Thus, GPUs are the most power-hungry components of a modern PC, especially modern high-end graphics cards such as the Nvidia RTX 3090 Ti, which require a whopping 450W of power consumption.
The rest of your PC will generally not use as much power, but it’s still wise to get a power supply with enough headroom (at least a couple of hundred watts) over your PC’s total power.
When operating at maximum power, power supplies tend to generate more heat and consume more power than they would otherwise.
Having some headroom, especially with a high efficiency power supply, is a great way to reduce power consumption and noise levels. Plus, maintaining the stability of the system in case of overclocking.
Let’s get to the big question —
What happens if the power supply is too weak?
If your PSU is too weak for your GPU, a few different things can happen.
First of all, you may just find that can’t turn on your computer fully with the GPU installed, or find that it only outputs a black screen when using it .
If you can boot into Windows without crashing, chances are your GPU will be running below its own low power limit… but as soon as it gets stressed and tries to reach power that isn’t there, you’ll see a complete system crash.
I once encountered such failures when my power supply was connected to a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) that did not match its capacity.
In addition to lowering the voltage of your video card to match your system’s power requirements, the best thing you can do in this situation is to either get rid of some of the other power-hungry devices in your system (such as lots of drives) or simply upgrade your power supply to more powerful and efficient.
How to determine the reliability of the power supply
Power and efficiency of the power supply
Power and efficiency are the two most important characteristics to consider when choosing a power supply.
The power of your power supply will effectively determine your graphics card’s maximum upgrade power, and its efficiency will determine how well it can perform without excessive power consumption or overheating.
Your graphics card’s documentation usually lists the recommended power supply capacity to pair with it.
While these aren’t usually strict requirements for GPU performance, it’s definitely wise to stick with these guidelines, or better if you don’t know the power of the rest of your PC build.
This is a simple rule if you don’t want to do research to find the right wattage for your PSU.
In terms of power supply efficiency, you need to look for 80+ Gold ratings or higher for semblance of solid power efficiency. With this rating, the power supply is 9The 0280 should give the up to ~87% efficiency (89% at max load).
Manufacturer’s Warranty and Reputation
In addition to power and efficiency, you need to double-check warranty and reputation!
In particular, you should make sure that the power supply comes with an extended warranty (ideally 5-10 years — more is better) and is sold by the well-known brand.
Reading reviews, especially from customers who have gone through the warranty replacement process, is a great way to gain peace of mind before spending money on a power supply.
As long as you are confident enough that you can trust the company to honor their warranties, you should be fairly confident buying a power supply.
Here are some of my personal trusted PSU brands:
- EVGA
- Corsair
- SeaSonic
- Thermaltake
- be quiet!
- Cooler Master
Power Supply Modularity
Do not purchase a non-modular power supply. Just don’t buy!
I promise that any money you could save is not worth the three extra cables you’ll need to run through your PC, whether or not you actually use them.
With a semi-modular power supply, you only need to run the power cables you actually use .
The motherboard power cable cannot be detached or replaced in a semi-modular power supply, but beyond that, you have just about every amount of flexibility you could ever want or need.
The fully modular power supply even allows you to detach the motherboard power cable, but you will still need it, so this feature does not make much sense unless you are replacing your power cables with special cables.