850W versus 1000W?

[FatLeprechaun]

I'm in the process of building a high end gaming system (Quad Core CPU overclocked to 4.0 gigahertz, 790i ultra mobo, Dual SLI 8800 Ultras, etc.) and I'm looking at power supplies.

Why question is: will a 860W PSU always meet my needs? Why might a 1000W PSU ever be necessary, or is that just excessive? Would it be a good idea to get a 1000W PSU just to cover my bases?

For example I'm looking at the Antec TruePower Quattro 850 or 1000 and also the PCP&C Turbo-Cool 860.

Thanks in advance.

 

[jonnyGURU]

Well, Utra's suck a lot of power. So you're in the right neighborhood if you're going to run two.

You can do it off of an 800~850W, but it should be a GOOD unit so you're sure it will hold up those loads on primarily the +12V rail and can do so at a realistic operating temperature.

Is a 1000W overkill? Sure. But there's no harm in that.

 

[ther00kie16]

Looks like you'll want 50+ Amps on the 12V rail, probably 60 Amps to be really safe. Though the choice of 8800 Ultras are questionable as they aren't a good investment anymore. 8800gts 512mb or 9800gtx are better and probably cheaper.

 

[FatLeprechaun]

Originally posted by: jonnyGURU
Well, Utra's suck a lot of power. So you're in the right neighborhood if you're going to run two.

You can do it off of an 800~850W, but it should be a GOOD unit so you're sure it will hold up those loads on primarily the +12V rail and can do so at a realistic operating temperature.

Is a 1000W overkill? Sure. But there's no harm in that.

Thanks for the advice. What do you think about getting the Antec TruePower Quattro 1000? It's "only" 210 on newegg, compared to the much more expensive Turbo-Cool 1000 which runs $480 on newegg. Or is there another 1000W PSU you would recommend?

 

[FatLeprechaun]

Originally posted by: ther00kie16
Looks like you'll want 50+ Amps on the 12V rail, probably 60 Amps to be really safe. Though the choice of 8800 Ultras are questionable as they aren't a good investment anymore. 8800gts 512mb or 9800gtx are better and probably cheaper.

Sorry, I'm sort of a noob when it comes to PSU's. Are you recommending a 1000W PSU?

I know that dual 8800 Ultras aren't really a good investment. But I already have one 8800 ultra that I got almost a year ago. So I want to make use of it.

 

[HOOfan 1]

Originally posted by: FatLeprechaun
Thanks for the advice. What do you think about getting the Antec TruePower Quattro 1000? It's "only" 210 on newegg, compared to the much more expensive Turbo-Cool 1000 which runs $480 on newegg. Or is there another 1000W PSU you would recommend?

Ha, I wouldn't use the PC P&C Turbo Cool as a measuring stick for price....they are about as overpriced as you can get.

The Truepower Quattro 1000Watt would do you, then again so would the 850 Watt.

There are plenty of 800+ Watt units out there that could recommended for your setup.

If you like the looks and price of the Antecs, then go for one. I personally don't like 80MM fans (due to noise and appearance)...but that is just me.

 

[DSF]

Corsair's power supplies are generally well-reviewed, and they offer a 1000W model.

 

[FatLeprechaun]

Bump for JohnnyGuru. If it has his approval, I'm going to pull the trigger on the Antec TruePower Quattro 1000.

 

[jonnyGURU]

Don't bump for me.

 

[FatLeprechaun]

Ok, my final decision comes down to the PCP&C Turbo-Cool 860 versus the the Antec TruePower Quattro 1000. The Turbo-Cool 860 will cost about $250 and the Quattro 1000 will cost about $200, and both will fit into my case. Any thoughts for which PSU I should get for a high-end gaming system described above? (Quad Core CPU overclocked to 4.0 gigahertz, 790i ultra mobo, Dual SLI 8800 Ultras, etc.)

 

[jonnyGURU]

On of the reasons I don't try to persuade one unit over another if they're both excellent choices is because I have a conflict of interest. I could easily be a shill and tell you to go and buy a BFG ES-800 for that build, but I won't.

They're BOTH very good choices. They're BOTH more than enough power (I run dual FX72 procs and a pair of Ultras off of an 800W).

The Quattro is more than enough power, modular and quiet.

The Turbo-Cool does cost more but it's built with better components and has a better topology. Unforunately, this will not be noticed by the average end user. Furthermore, the Turbo-Cool can be a little louder than the Antec.

If the Turbo-Cool was in the budget and I wasn't concerned about noise, I'd get it. If I wanted to save $50 and/or wanted something that was a little quieter, I'd get the Antec.

How's that for neutral?

 

[HOOfan 1]

If I were buying, I wouldn't get either....but both of those supplies are awsome.

If I were spending $250 on a PSU I would probably go for a Coolermaster RealPower Pro 1000 Watt

but for running dual 8800Ultras I would also be looking at the BFG ES-800
RealPower Pro 850 Watt
Zalman ZM850-HP
Several of the Silverstone Olympias or Decathalons
OCZ's new EliteXstream

In the end if I had to pick between 2 PSUs for a super high end system and money was not too much of an object, it would be between the BFG ES-800 and Corsair HX1000

 

[solog]

Originally posted by: FatLeprechaun
I know that dual 8800 Ultras aren't really a good investment. But I already have one 8800 ultra that I got almost a year ago. So I want to make use of it.

do you know that AMD and Nvidia are coming out with a new line of videocards in June?

 

[jonnyGURU]

Originally posted by: solog

Originally posted by: FatLeprechaun
I know that dual 8800 Ultras aren't really a good investment. But I already have one 8800 ultra that I got almost a year ago. So I want to make use of it.

do you know that AMD and Nvidia are coming out with a new line of videocards in June?

Ultra is still a great card (although power hungry) and with everyone dumping their G80's for G92's or GT200 based cards, I'm sure he could score a second Ultra for a song.

 

[tomoyo]

Hey since you can't say it, I can say getting a BFG ES-800 would be an awesome pick too.

 

[JCGhz]

I just went with the CORSAIR CMPSU-1000HX based on the jonnyGURU review.

zipzoomfly had em for $238 compared to the egg's 299 plus $11 shipping.

Never ordered from the fly before.. see how it goes. Anyone know where they ship from?

 

[waxking1]

I just ordered one of these yesterday. Hard to beat the price for a 1000W Modular supply with excellent ratings.

http://www.directron.com/ult40064.html

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: jonnyGURU
Furthermore, the Turbo-Cool can be a little louder than the Antec.

OMG, I'm getting rid of my Antec Quattro 850W because I think it is too noisy. :Q

 

[HOOfan 1]

from everything I have heard the Turbo-Cool can be a little louder than a 747 taking off.