What does TDP (Thermal Power Design) mean?

[Koroskun]

Hello, I really want to know waht TDP really means..
I've heard people say that it's the power that the CPU requires to run well or something like that, but i've also heard that it requires more than what the TDP says..

So, does anybody know what TDP really means and how much WATT you would need for.. let's say 84 TDP?

[Cathulhu]

The thermal design power (TDP), sometimes called thermal design point, is the maximum amount of heat generated by a computer chip or component (often the CPU or GPU) that the cooling system in a computer is designed to dissipate in typical operation. Rather than specifying CPU's real power dissipation, TDP serves as the nominal value for designing CPU cooling systems.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermal_design_power

[Koroskun]

So TDP has nothing at all to do with maximum watt usage?

[Hare+Guu!]

It's only about heat. Silicon is inefficient and craps out heat. Actual load power draw is usually more than double what the tdp is. A good ballpark is adding around 150%, but it's better to just look at actual reviews for the product.

[Koroskun]

So basically, if the TDP of a product is f.e 84, then it will require about 200w at max use? Dayum..

[rotNdude]

The TDP is just fine for sizing the amount of power you need for a power supply. While the TDP doesn't take into consideration Peak power, that generally is only for a very very short period of time.

[Koroskun]

Well then, how about gtx 770 + i5 4460 haha

[Bad 💀 Motha]

TDP is the max lower; what about this don't you understand?

Any TDP needs to be considered as a minimum for your Power Supply needs; this does not mean something such as CPU or GPU will run this kind of power-pull all the time; but would be the max power under full loads.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Originally posted by Makunouchi Ippo:

Well then, how about gtx 770 + i5 4460 haha

What are you really asking? Are you un-sure of what minimum Power Supply you need?

Regardless of CPU/GPU combos. It is best to not go below any 500W PSU; mostly due to the needs of dedicated GPU cards, which you will want to have all the needed PCIE Power Connectors right from the PSU itself; most 300 - 450 W crappy PSUs (like OEMs provide with pre-builds) usually won't have those connections.

[Koroskun]

Well, yes.. that's precisely what i'm asking since i am looking at how much power I will need to use a "gigabyte b85m-d3h+i5 4460+gtx 770" build.... And well, "what i don't understand", you ask? Simply how to know what power supply I would need for playing games in this situation.

"You need double the amount of the TDP" is simply not enough information.

[Beardface31]

The recommended requirements for the GTX 770 are a quality 600W PSU, with one 8 pin and one 6 pin PCIE power connections.

[Koroskun]

I do have those connectors, and at monday I'm getting the motherboard and CPU I mentioned above. The GPU has all the cables it needs.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

No, your Power Supply needs to have those PCIE Power Connectors.
DO NOT use adapters that come with GPUs.
If your PSU doesn't have what your GPU requires, then its time for a new PSU.

[Koroskun]

Well, like I said... The GPU has everything it needs, I've been using it for a month now..I'm just getting a new cpu and mobo cuz these are trash. the only difference in cables is that the new motherboard requires and 8 pin, and i've got a 4+4 pin. And in total maybe everything requires more power too. I've got a 600w power supply.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Yea if your PSU does not have a hard-wired 8pin EPS for Motherboard; then it is very old, get rid of that PSU.

[Koroskun]

I literally just said taht It has a 4+4 pin where currently I'm just using 4 pins for this MOBO since that's what it needs, and this PSU is NEW. But I do believe 600w will be enough power, yes?