recommend parts that are actually compatible with each other
I ran through for a $450 build:
http://choosemypc.net/build/?budget=450&oc=false
It paired this graphics card:
http://www.powercolor.com/US/products_features.asp?id=525
With this power supply:
http://www.microcenter.com/product/399979/Builder_Series_CX430_430_Watt_ATX_12V_Power_Supply
The specs on the graphics card state the minimum power rating to be 500w. The power supply is only 430w. I wish I had cross-checked your recommendations instead of buying everything and building the computer, because now the graphics card overheats and the computer randomly shuts down. I'm in the process of returning this power supply and ordering a new, stronger one. Lots of wasted time, effort, and money on my part.
Hello Joe,
The specs on the graphics cards given by the manufacturers are actually very inaccurate, and it can be safely stated that the wattage of the PSU is not causing your issue.
You can confirm this by checking a PSU wattage calculator online, one of which (the PCPartPicker one) is automatically checked when builds are generated on the site to ensure compatibility.
Overheating sounds like you actually have a graphics card which is faulty in some way rather than a PSU issue – if it was inadequate PSU wattage you would end up with the PSU shutting down or behaving weirdly at full load while being fine at idle.
Thanks,
Mark