I've got servers with 2 6/8 core CPU, 32GB RAM, 14 SAS Hard drives, Raid controllers and a bucket load of fans than run off a single 700W PSU.

Typically they run around the 300-400W mark, even at full chat.

So if you take out a CPU and 12 of those hard disks, you're looking at saving 200W from the 400W.

Is a graphics card really pulling more than 300W of power?

You don't see the consoles with 1kW power supplies and they seem to cope just fine.

Edited 14 November, 201114 yr by cheezemonkhai

Some graphics cards can pull more than 300W, yes (test article from last year - http://www.geeks3d.com/20100226/the-real-power-consumption-of-73-graphics-cards/). Especially so if you're planning ahead for two of them. It's also about the current, you need a good quality PSU which can give enough current through each of the rails, it's all very well having a 1000W PSU, but if it can't put a reliable 20 amps or whatever out of a single 12V rail then it still might be no good for power hungry components.

But at the same times. PSU's are most stable and efficient when running at a certain load, and for the higher capacity supplies, it's going to be a higher power.