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Question

What to do with this PSU

by Apr 19, 2018 11:19AM PDT

So recently I got a pre-built gaming system from MSI, the Nightblade Mi3: https://www.msi.com/Desktop/Nightblade-MI3/Specification

The specifications that I chose are:

CPU: i5-7400

GPU: GTX 1050Ti

RAM: 8GB

PSU: 350W (FSP 350-40UGBBD)



My main concern is the PSU as it's 350W is quiet low for any future upgrades.

However, this PC comes with the ability to have an i7-7700 CPU and GTX 1060 GPU,

There is also currently 8GB RAM inside, the upgrade possibility is all the way up to 32GB RAM

This would still be powered by the 350W that is already in the PC case.

How is this possible?



Seeing as the PSU is Flex ATX, I won't really be able to go upwards from 350W,

But does this 350W PSU allow me to upgrade my GPU to either the GTX 1060 or the GTX 1070?

The 1050Ti is awesome, just not quiet enough for my needs.



I know that PSU's are all subject to quality rather than wattage, but the 350W PSU in the Nightblade is supposed to be of fairly decent quality.



Any tips on what GPU I should upgrade to?

Will the upgrade from 1050Ti to 1060 be too small to actually notice?

Am I better of upgrading my CPU first?

Thanks in advance!

Post was last edited on April 19, 2018 11:21 AM PDT

Discussion is locked

6 Posts
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Answer
If the PSU is single rail
by Forum moderator Apr 19, 2018 11:24AM PDT

You might get by for the 1060 but the only way to tell is:
1. Check the side panel of the PSU for +12V rail specs. A single rail is OK, split rail and nope.
2. Use a Watt Meter like a P3 (google P3 Watt Meter) to see what you system pulls today.

http://gpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Nvidia-GTX-1060-6GB-vs-Nvidia-GTX-1050-Ti/3639vs3649 shows a big step up for the 1060 6GB model.

https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/nvidia-geforce-gtx-1060-pascal,4679-6.html shows about 145W Peak so to see if there is any hope I'd have to know the 2 things above. Otherwise just toss in the usual SINGLE RAIL 500W PSU.

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How?
by Unistash Apr 19, 2018 3:56PM PDT

How do I check if the PSU is single rail or multiple? How do i tell them apart?

I looked at the 1060 6GB but it is a rather big model, my current GPU fits very snugly in the case, but I'm not sure if a bigger one will fit

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It's easy.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Apr 19, 2018 4:11PM PDT
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What does it mean
by Unistash Apr 19, 2018 4:30PM PDT

What will it mean if I have a single rail? Can I but a gtx 1060?
What should I do if it isn't?

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I gave the rundown above.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Apr 19, 2018 5:14PM PDT

For such a low Wattage PSU we'd have to get a reading with the usual P3 Watt Meter.

Then check the specification sticker for rails.

If you could share the make and model of the PSU I could check the rails for you. But the Watt meter work would still have to be done to see how much we are currently pushing this PSU.

Note: Edited for typo.

Post was last edited on April 19, 2018 5:27 PM PDT

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Answer
Upgrade
by Apr 19, 2018 12:47PM PDT

Your psu is some odd ball thing that was designed to work with the msi mobo.

Upgrading the cpu will not add any watts to the load.

It will give you more cpu muscle if you can use all the threads.

The gpu upgrade will add about 50w of load.

Your call if you want to go there.

Yes the 1060 will give you more gpu muscle.....perf

I doubt you can go to the 1070 with that psu.

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